What Not Far From The Tree does

Not Far From The Tree (NFFTT) is a Toronto-based registered Canadian charity founded in 2008 that runs a volunteer-powered urban fruit-rescue program. Homeowners register backyard fruit trees on the Fruit Picking Portal; NFFTT coordinates pick leaders and volunteers to harvest the fruit and distribute it under a 1/3-1/3-1/3 model — one-third to the tree registrant, one-third to volunteers, and one-third to 35+ partner social service agencies and food banks serving populations experiencing food insecurity. The organization also runs the Neighborhood Tree Giveaway Program supporting the City of Toronto's 40% tree canopy goal, picking and preserving workshops, and educational resources (fruit ripening and tree care guides covering 14 fruit types).

NFFTT operates as a project of MakeWay Charitable Society, which provides the registered-charity infrastructure (BN: 13056 0188 RR0001). The core technology is a lightweight web portal (portal.notfarfromthetree.org) for tree registration, volunteer sign-ups, and pick scheduling, supplemented by content marketing (Fresh News blog), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. There is no proprietary AI/ML capability, mobile app, or API; the platform is operational software rather than a technology product.

The revenue model is a hybrid of donations and recurring contributions. Foundation grants come from the City of Toronto, Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, LUSH Charity Pot, J.P. Bickell Foundation, The Chawkers Foundation, and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Recurring revenue comes from The Roots Initiative (monthly tiers of $10/$25/$55/$85) and Harvest Shares ($40 Tree Registrant Share, $10 Fruit Picker Share, with fee waivers available), introduced in 2026 to replace the prior membership-fee model. One-time donations and corporate pick bookings round out the model. Geographic coverage spans downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, and Scarborough after a 2022 expansion.

Name

Not Far From The Tree

Legal name

Not Far From The Tree

Website

https://notfarfromthetree.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Not Far From The Tree is a Toronto-based registered Canadian charity, founded in 2008, that coordinates volunteers to harvest overlooked fruit from residential backyard trees and distribute one-third to partner social service agencies addressing food insecurity, supported by a web portal, foundation grants, and community contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Food Rescue Services

NAICS

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Forest Berries & Wild Fruit Harvesting (AFAMAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

Keywords

• Urban fruit rescue
• Volunteer fruit picking
• Community food sharing
• Food waste diversion
• Backyard tree harvesting

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Harvest Shares (Community Contributions): Voluntary community contribution model introduced in 2019, transitioned from membership fees in 2026. Tree Registrant Share ($40 per season) for homeowners sharing their trees; Fruit Picker Share ($10 per season) for volunteers. Contributions support tools and coordination. Equity-focused with fee waivers available for anyone who asks, especially Indigenous community members and youth.
2. The Roots Initiative (Monthly Donations): Monthly donor program with four tiers: $10/month for equipment supplies, $25/month for food waste diversion, $55/month for preservation workshops, $85/month for summer harvest team wages. Includes membership benefits and access to exclusive community events.
3. One-time Donations: General donations accepted through the website, including one-time and monthly giving options. Corporate pick bookings also mentioned as a giving option.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Not Far From The Tree coordinates a volunteer-powered urban fruit rescue program in Toronto, harvesting fruit from registered residential backyard trees and distributing it in thirds: one-third to the tree registrant, one-third to volunteers, and one-third to social service agencies and food banks addressing food insecurity. The program is supported by a web-based Fruit Picking Portal for tree registration, volunteer sign-up, and pick scheduling, and is sustained through Harvest Shares community contributions, monthly donations, and foundation grants.

Product overview

Not Far From The Tree operates as a community fruit-picking initiative, not a traditional technology company. The organization runs a Fruit Picking Program that coordinates volunteer harvesters to pick fruit from registered backyard trees across Toronto, distributing the bounty three ways (tree registrant, volunteers, and food-insecure community partners). Supporting offerings include the Fruit Picking Portal for participant management and scheduling, the Harvest Shares contribution program (2026 rebranding from membership fees), the Neighborhood Tree Giveaway Program for urban canopy expansion, and educational resources including Fruit Ripening and Picking Guides and Tree Care Guides covering 14 fruit types. The organization also runs Picking & Preserving Workshops to teach food preservation skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harvest Shares: Community contribution model replacing the membership fee model, where Tree Registrant Share is $40 and Fruit Picker Share is $10, with equity-based fee waivers available.
• The Roots Initiative
• Fruit Picking Portal

Products and services

• Fruit Picking Program Core community service coordinating volunteer pickers, pick leaders, and tree registrants to harvest fruit from residential trees across Toronto, distributing the harvest one-third to the tree registrant, one-third to volunteers, and one-third to social service agencies addressing food insecurity.
• Fruit Picking Portal Web-based portal (portal.notfarfromthetree.org) that allows tree registrants to register trees, enables volunteers to sign up for picks, schedules picking events, and processes Harvest Share contributions from participants.
• Harvest Shares Community contribution program replacing the prior membership fee model; Tree Registrant Share is $40 per season and Fruit Picker Share is $10 per season, with fee waivers available upon request (especially for Indigenous community members and youth).
• Neighborhood Tree Giveaway Program Free native tree and shrub distribution program that distributes edible species like serviceberries and pollinator-supporting native plants, supporting City of Toronto's 40% tree canopy cover goal by 2050. Trees are provided by the City of Toronto and distributed at events like Evergreen Brick Works farmers markets.
• Picking & Preserving Workshops Educational workshops teaching fruit preservation techniques such as canning, making applesauce, jams, and preserves. Delivered in partnership with agencies such as Romero House, with sponsor support from Patagonia Toronto and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Donated hundreds of thousands of pounds of fruit to food-insecure communities since 2008
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Laneway ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2021Partnership to transform Toronto laneways into green public spaces. NFFTT supported planting of 393 plants, shrubs and medicinal species in Central Hospital Lane and Leslieville laneway, creating Toronto's first Healing Corridor.
• MakeWay Charitable SocietycoreOthersNFFTT is a project of MakeWay Charitable Society, a registered Canadian charity. MakeWay provides the organizational infrastructure, administrative support, and philanthropic platform for NFFTT's operations.
• Evergreen Brick WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvergreen Brick Works hosts NFFTT's free native tree giveaway events during Saturday farmers markets. Partnership supports urban greening and tree canopy expansion goals.
• City of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Toronto provides all trees for the Neighborhood Tree Giveaway Program, supporting the City's goal of 40% tree canopy cover by 2050. Also provides funding through Community Projects Grant and Waste Reduction Community Grant.
• Orchard PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSusan Poizner's urban fruit tree care organization offers training courses, webinars, and resources. Orchard People provides educational content and certified Orchard Steward training programs recommended by NFFTT.
• LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAF offers subsidized trees, planting services, and educational programs on tree care and urban ecology. Recommended as a source for fruit trees and tree care education.
• Tree Mobile TorontominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer non-profit offering indigenous and climate-appropriate food-bearing trees with pick-up, delivery, and planting services. Also offers grants for community initiatives.
• Birchcliff Tree CareminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional tree care service recommended for tree registrants needing expert pruning services, such as black knot disease treatment.
• Curbside CycleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner offering discounts to NFFTT members as part of the membership benefits program.
• Modo YogaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner offering discounts to NFFTT members as part of the membership benefits program.
• Enterprise CarshareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner offering discounts to NFFTT members as part of the membership benefits program.
• AlévoleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner offering discounts to NFFTT members as part of the membership benefits program.
• Toronto Tool LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit tool sharing organization offering 20% off memberships to NFFTT members, supporting community resource sharing.
• Community Fridges Toronto (CFTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid network of community fridges receiving fresh fruit donations from NFFTT. CFTO operates 7 active fridge locations across Toronto, accessible 24/7 with no questions asked.
• Canadian Roots ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth-led Indigenous organization that receives proceeds from NFFTT volunteer Kat Sylvester's fruit preserves sales, supporting reconciliation initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Food Forward: US-based urban gleaning organization that rescues surplus produce including backyard fruit and donates to food banks. Directly comparable urban fruit/food rescue model at greater scale (Southern California).
• FoodShare Toronto: Toronto-based food justice nonprofit working on food access, urban agriculture, and food systems change. Highly comparable as a Toronto-rooted food-security charity with overlapping beneficiary communities and municipal partnerships.
• The Stop Community Food Centre: Toronto food security organization already partnering with NFFTT as a fruit recipient. Directly comparable community food access mission in the same city.
• Portland Fruit Tree Project: Portland-based nonprofit that organizes volunteer harvests of residential fruit trees and donates to hunger-relief agencies. Closely analogous urban fruit gleaning model.
• City Fruit (Seattle): Seattle nonprofit focused on urban fruit tree harvest and care, training volunteers and donating to food banks. Near-identical urban gleaning and fruit-tree-care model in another North American city.
• LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests): Toronto urban forestry nonprofit already partnered with NFFTT for subsidized trees and tree-care education. Directly comparable urban tree canopy and education focus.

Emerging players

• Falling Fruit: Collaborative urban-fruit mapping platform that crowdsources locations of edible plants and fruit trees. Comparable as an enabling urban-fruit ecosystem tool with potential integration partnership.

Regional players

• Leftovers Foundation: Calgary-based food rescue nonprofit that recovers surplus food and distributes to charities. Similar food-rescue/food-waste mission but Western Canada geography.

Broad incumbents

• Evergreen Brick Works: Larger Toronto-based urban sustainability organization hosting NFFTT's tree giveaway events. Comparable urban greening and community programming scope at broader institutional scale.
• Second Harvest (Canada): Canada's largest food rescue organization redistributing surplus food across the country. Broader food-rescue incumbent with overlapping donor and food-bank networks in Toronto.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NFFTT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/not-far-from-the-tree
• Instagraminstagram.com/nfftt
• Xx.com/NFFTT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Not Far From The Tree