It’s about a lot more than apples. It’s about community.
The feeling of not belonging can be jarring — just ask anyone new to town. Most would agree that a sense of community is important, but how does one go about forming it? Join a community, or create one?
In the case of the Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards, it’s both. The 13 fruit orchards planted around town are quietly tended to by people who live nearby. They gather, they giggle, they prune, they water, they weed, and they learn from each other.
So, how did it start?
“People had been talking about planting fruit in public parks for many years,” says Laura Keresztesi, GreenUP’s neighbourhood and residential programs coordinator. “In 2022 (GreenUP) received the opportunity to plant 65 fruit trees in public spaces across Peterborough.”
The Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards were initially led by GreenUP, Nourish, and the City of Peterborough, with additional funding from United Way of Peterborough and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. Funding for the project now varies year to year and can include small grants, awards and donations. One thing that hasn’t changed is that volunteers remain integral to making the project work.
“(Volunteers) planted the trees and formed neighbourhood stewardship groups to water the trees throughout the summers,” says Keresztesi. “The project is still powered by volunteers, with support from GreenUP and the City of Peterborough.”
“The Orchard Steward program is a fantastic collaboration between the City of Peterborough and GreenUP,” says Patrick Lajoie, urban forest technologist with the City of Peterborough.
He adds that the program offers “time to meet with like-minded community members to share plant and gardening knowledge, improve our urban forest canopy, and diversify it with species we wouldn’t usually plant… it also provides a food source for those that may need it, whether it be animals, people, or insects.”
A recent boost to the Orchard Stewards came through a grant when the program received the 2025 PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Award this fall.
This grant made it possible for members of the PepsiCo Foods Canada — Quaker team to work alongside several Orchard Stewards. They recently helped to build five new water tote stands to replace the shipping pallets they previously stood on.
“We believe meaningful change begins with listening and showing up — whether through our brands, our people, or our partners,” says C.D. Glin, president of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo.
“Guided by an ambition to help create long-term impact, we work together with communities to support solutions that reflect their values and aspirations. Through the PepsiCo Foundation, we deepen our connection by being present, responsive, and focused on scaling initiatives that grow with the needs of those we serve. The Community Impact Awards celebrate these community changemakers and help amplify their efforts to create lasting, positive change.”
The Orchard Stewards embody a sense of community and shared impact.
“Free food is a good idea, and fruit trees are one of the easiest ways to get it,” says Tom Calwell, Orchard Steward since the project started in 2022. “Fruit trees provide us with a perennial food source.”
Many residents in Peterborough also grow fruit trees on private property and invite neighbours to share in the harvest. Local community leader Barbara Herring has set up a mini fruit orchard in her backyard.
“For 15 years, I have engaged in mutual nurturing of five fruit trees and many fruit-bearing bushes in my backyard,” Herring says. “This activity has taken on a wider significance for me since I took a course called resilience and acceptance in the face of collapse. The course invites participants to find ‘what’s your to do’ in your local community.”
“One of my answers was to continue to nurture my mini-orchard and small food garden, sharing the produce with friends and neighbours, and encouraging others to get involved — nurturing and being nurtured by the earth right here in Peterborough.”
Carolyn Code, who cares for the Dominion Park Orchard, shares a similar sentiment.
“I believe in the importance of biodiversity and growing food locally. Bringing these initiatives into public spaces and introducing people to less familiar local food options is important.”
The Orchard Stewards owe thanks to Sophia Ibrahim, team supervisor at PepsiCo Foods Canada — Quaker as the community member that nominated GreenUP and the Orchard Steward program for the Community Impact Award.
“I would encourage anyone to get out and volunteer or help a cause that is meaningful to them,” says Ibrahim. “The work I do with GreenUP is close to my heart, and there are plenty more non-profits that do amazing things for our community. It’s so important to get out and grow so we can help each other through anything.”
To volunteer with the Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards or one of the many other GreenUP programs, email volunteer program coordinator Christina Balint at christina.balint@greenup.on.ca or visit greenup.on.ca/volunteer.
You can learn more about the Orchard Stewards at greenup.on.ca/orchard-stewards/.
