New and exciting - Lewisham Fruit Harvest

The local group on a mission to rescue unpicked fruit 

Four people to hold the tarpaulin and one to shake the tree – that’s all it takes to save tonnes of fresh apples, pears and plums that go to waste in London every year. 

That's the approach behind Lewisham Fruit Harvest – a volunteer-powered project that rescues unpicked fruit from trees in local gardens and public spaces and ensures it reaches people in our community who struggle to access fresh food.

Formed in Spring 2026 as a Grow Lewisham project, we are part of a wider network of grassroots London Fruit Harvest initiatives supported by London National Park City.

With rising living costs and food insecurity, Lewisham has seen a continuing increase in people relying on foodbanks and other forms of emergency provision for healthy food. So with summer right around the corner, we are working with local tree owners and community organisations to set up fruit harvesting groups in Brockley and Downham to get fresh, nutritious and local fruit to people who can use it – and we’d love for you to get involved! 

We are looking for… 

• Tree Owners 

Do you have a fruit tree producing more than you need? Know of a fruit tree in a public space that never gets harvested? Fill out this form and we can help you harvest and share the surplus! 

• Fruit Harvesters 

Whether you’re up for giving a tree a shake or catching the fruit as they fall, join our WhatsApp group for pickers by expressing your interest here. No experience is needed and equipment will be provided. Our pickers can join whenever they’re available and we’re on nature’s schedule, so we will post when local trees are ready to harvest! 

The harvest season is roughly July - October. 

• Fruit Recipients 

Food banks, Lewisham schools, community kitchens, mutual aid groups, neighbours and local

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. If you or someone you know can make good use of fresh produce, please get in touch! From juices to jams, fruit crumbles to tarts, we look forward to supporting our community in accessing local, fresh fruit this summer, and many summers to come. If you would like to get involved, you can sign up via our quick form here. 

Come and hear more at the Good Food Network Food Co-Ops meeting 16th June 17.30-19.30 at Catford House. Listen, join in and spread the word.

Tickets