In the face of dwindling donations from the big food rescue organisations, a small volunteer-led group is making a difference to households experiencing food insecurity in Melbourne's inner north.
Darebin Fruit Squad unites volunteer pickers with local backyards burdened by excess fruit. The fresh produce is then included in food parcels shared with around 1,500 people each month.
Run by Darebin Information, Volunteer & Resource Service (DIVRS), the fruit squad has gathered a whopping 16,000 kilos of fruit since it began in 2012. That's around 90,000 oranges or over 300 shopping trolleys full of fruit.
Darebin Fruit Squad coordinator Holly Gallagher says the group is looking to make our food system more local, resilient and fair, while addressing food waste and environmental issues around food production.
"At the same time, we're bringing our community closer together," Holly says.
"We've got people sharing food with each other, sharing skills with each other, and volunteering together.
