Welcome to Real Food CT!

We are a volunteer organization that harvests unwanted or excess locally growing produce to redistribute to the community.

Thank you for registering as a volunteer with Real Food CT! We are an entirely volunteer-run organization and appreciate your interest in joining us. Below you'll find some important things that we want you to know as a Real Food CT volunteer. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Email: info@realfoodct.org
Mobile Phone:

Information for New Volunteers

We're thrilled you're interested in volunteering with us.

Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Registration:

• Everyone needs to register once to become a volunteer. This allows you to participate in any of our opportunities.
• You can update your contact information later using the Volunteer Toolbox.

Finding Harvests:

• Check the Harvest Calendar regularly to see upcoming opportunities. We sometimes get short notice about crop donations, so stay informed!
• Notifications of upcoming harvests may also be shared on the Real Food CT Volunteers Facebook page.

Signing Up:

• Once you find a harvest you'd like to join, simply click the signup link and enter your name exactly as you did during registration.
• After signing up, you'll receive an email with the harvest location, details, and a link to cancel if needed.

Important Notes:

• Cancellation: If you can't make it to a harvest, please cancel your spot so someone else can participate. You can cancel using the link in your confirmation email.
• Children: Children must be supervised by a registered adult volunteer at all times.
• Arrival: We'll provide safety training and any necessary information upon arrival.

Additional Resources:

• Volunteer Toolbox:
This platform allows you to:
• Update contact information
• Reset your password
• Access waiting lists
• Receive signup notifications
• Cancel rosters spots
• Check your attendance history

What to Wear:

• Closed-toe shoes or boots are essential to protect your feet, and a pair of gardening gloves are useful too
• Clothing suitable for rain and physical activity (consider long sleeves and pants for protection)
• We recommend avoiding sandals due to uneven terrain

What to Bring:

• We provide all picking equipment.
• You are welcome to bring anything you think may prove useful (provided the equipment has been deemed to be safe and suitable by the Harvest Leader).
• A water bottle so you can stay hydrated.
• Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Extra sunscreen will be provided.
• Please take care of any bathroom needs before arriving as restrooms may not be available on-site.
• Your harvest booking will include a reminder of everything you'll need to bring.

Your harvest booking will include a reminder of everything you'll need to bring.

Please be mindful of your safety when using any equipment:

• Ladders should be placed on firm ground – ask a fellow volunteer to hold the ladder securely if necessary
• Always face the ladder and use both hands to climb up and down
• Keep three points of contact on the ladder at all times – both feet and a hand
• Always hold on with one hand, and never reach too far to either side or to the rear
• Don’t go beyond the limit of the ladder (second last rung)
• Be aware of other volunteers around you and leave plenty of space, especially when using pole pickers or pruning equipment
• Maintain a tidy work site and be mindful of slip/trip/fall hazards
• Climbing of trees is not permitted!
• Remember - harvesting is not a race! Real Food CT is also a social activity, so please take your time and take care to volunteer safely and respectfully.

Harvest Duration:
We ask volunteers to plan to stay for the entire harvest, but we understand unexpected situations arise.

Respecting our Farmers
Our farm partners generously allow us access to their property, and we must respect their garden and property. Don’t wander into areas of the garden or house uninvited, and please follow any directions concerning parking so we don’t upset any neighbours.

We appreciate your support!
By volunteering, you're helping to provide fresh, local produce to those who need it most.

For further questions:

• Visit the Real Food CT page
• Contact us at info@realfoodct.org

Questions

Who runs the harvests?

Our Harvest Leaders are all skilled volunteers and they’ll meet you at the harvest location. When you arrive at the harvest site, the Leader will explain to all the volunteers what and how to harvest, the safe use of any tools or equipment, and manage the weighing and distribution of the produce. Listen carefully to any safety information or instruction provided by the Harvest Leader, please only pick where you have been asked to pick. Poor behavior by harvest attendees will not be tolerated and the Harvest Leader may ask the person(s) involved to leave the event.

Can I bring … a friend?

Friends are always welcome, however, they must register as a volunteer with Real Food CT first, and then book their own ticket.

… my child?

Some harvests are more suitable for children than others – we provide general information in our harvest notifications about the location, however, we have not completed a full assessment of risks. If you decide to bring children along, you are always responsible for their safety and supervision while you are all attending the harvest.

… my dog?

We don’t encourage pets at harvests. The tree owner may have their own pets, or may not want animals coming into their property.

How physically fit do I need to be?

Volunteers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome at harvests. We don’t expect anyone to undertake anything they are not physically comfortable doing. Know your limits, and volunteer safely – you don’t need to prove anything or wear yourself out during the harvest. Let your Harvest Leader know if you need to stop or take a break at any time.

What if I (or someone else) get injured while harvesting?

You are always responsible for your own insurance cover for any illness or injury arising from providing volunteer services to Real Food CT. Real Food CT and their members are not legally responsible for any injuries you suffer using their equipment or while providing volunteer services. You also accept responsibility for the safety of other persons participating and any injury resulting from your careless act, omission or negligence. Always ask your Harvest Leader for help if you are not sure how to use equipment or harvest safely.

How is the harvest shared?

The harvest is shared amongst our charitable partners. If you know of a good cause that would like to receive produce, you can encourage them to register using the form on our website.

We look forward to working with you!