From seed to harvest: 18 months of Fruit Share Adelaide
Eighteen months ago, Fruit Share Adelaide began as a simple idea: to stop good food from going to waste and get it to the people who need it most. Today, that idea has blossomed into a thriving community-driven charity, with more than 24,000 kilograms of fresh produce saved and shared across South Australia.
At our recent Annual General Meeting, we took a moment to reflect, not just on the numbers, but on the people, partnerships, and passion that have made this journey possible.
Rescuing food, restoring Hope
From the start, our mission has been clear: getting surplus fruit and vegetables or those facing food insecurity. Whether picked from a backyard lemon tree or rescued from a farm facing crop loss, every piece of produce we collect represents a win for both the community and the environment.
Citrus harvest in Belair
In our first full year of operation (2024), we harvested 11,600 kilograms. By mid-2025, we had already surpassed that figure, collecting a further 12,600 kilograms in just six months. That’s a 109% increase in harvest rate, a clear sign of the momentum building behind our work.
The variety is just as impressive as the quantity. Over the past 18 months, our baskets have been filled with:
9,650 kilograms of apples and pears
6,850 kilograms of oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit
6,900 kilograms of vegetables—mostly tomatoes
Nearly 900 kilograms of stone fruit, berries, and other specialty produce
Stories behind the numbers
The numbers tell one story, but the harvests themselves tell another. In the summer of 2024–25, a tomato virus threatened to ruin crops near Two Wells. Working closely with growers, we rescued 6,000 kilograms of tomatoes that might otherwise have gone to waste.
Just a few months later, in autumn, our volunteers headed to the Adelaide Hills to help with a bumper apple season, bringing in 5,000 kilograms of fruit that ended up in lunchboxes, food hampers, and community kitchens.
Tomato harvest in Two Wells
The people and partners powering the change
Fruit Share Adelaide remains 100% volunteer-operated. More than 100 people have stepped forward to give their time, whether as harvest leaders, drivers, coordinators, or behind-the-scenes support. This flexibility allows anyone with a few spare hours to make a tangible difference.
We have also been nurturing the next generation of food rescuers through our growing workshop program. From pruning and tree maintenance to fruit preservation techniques, these sessions help people care for their own produce, reduce waste at home, and share surplus with others.
Our impact doesn’t end with a harvest—it depends on the partners who help us get fresh produce to the people who need it. We are proud to work with Foodbank SA, OzHarvest, Kickstart for Kids, local schools, community food pantries, and grassroots organisations serving people doing it tough.
Lemon donation to Foodbank
Thanks to these partnerships, every kilogram we collect goes to good use, with zero waste to landfill.
Building for the future
As proud as we are of what we achieved so far, we know we’ve only just scratched the surface of what is possible. Our next chapter focuses on building the capacity to scale—streamlining operations, securing dedicated transport, adding professional support staff, and establishing a warehouse hub for storage, sorting, and community engagement.
With these foundations in place, we believe we can quadruple our harvests within a few years, reaching 100,000 kilograms annually and expanding our reach across Greater Adelaide.
New leadership, continued mission
Our Annual General Meeting marked an important transition in leadership. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Graham and Elisabeth Maddison, who are stepping down from the committee after their invaluable contributions to getting Fruit Share Adelaide off the ground. Their dedication and hard work in these crucial early stages have been instrumental in building the strong foundation we have today.
We're excited to welcome our new committee members, who will guide us into our next phase of growth:
Brett Dunstone (Chairperson)
Mary Crawford (Secretary)
Michelle Dunstone (Treasurer)
Aviv Shallev (General Member)
Izzy Rogers (General Member)
Katie Harrigan (General Member)
Vanita Schwarz (General Member)
A special highlight of our AGM was the presentation by Brenton Kortman, President of the Rare Fruit Society of SA, who shared fascinating insights about "Heritage in our backyards: Living History." His talk beautifully connected our modern food rescue mission with South Australia's rich agricultural heritage, reminding us that we're continuing a long tradition of sharing the abundance that grows so well in our Adelaide climate.
For those interested in learning more about the heritage varieties growing in our backyards and the full scope of our year's achievements, you can view our complete AGM presentation here.
An invitation to grow with us
The first 18 months of Fruit Share Adelaide have shown that a small group of committed people can make a big difference. But the need is growing, and so is our resolve.
If you have ever wondered how you can help tackle food waste, strengthen local food systems, and support vulnerable communities, this is your invitation. Join us, and be part of turning surplus into sustenance, and harvest into hope.
Get involved: info@fruitshareadelaide.com.au
