Coordinator

Hello, I’m Cat, the coordinator here at VFTP ! I’m in constant awe of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project & so grateful to be a part of it. A true grassroots organization, that just at it’s core responds to the intersectionality of food issues in the city and brings the community together :) 

I have a schooling background in Conversation/Environmental Studies & have always been interested in food systems and how they relate to the well-being of people & environment. So glad to have met so many amazing people  through the project and to have discovered Quinces in the city!

Board President

Hello, I’m Sarah! A settler on the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations, I am honoured to get to be part of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, pick fruit on this land, share my passion for local food, and help cultivate inclusive spaces where people find belonging and feel the presence of community. A community planner and active in the community bike shop world, I’ve been involved in community gleaning projects for over 9 years and have been a Vancouver Fruit Tree Project pick leader since 2020. I am pleased to be able to support VFTP in a board capacity as well to help further the objectives of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project and contribute to the work of building community around fruit trees and the harvest.

Board Secretary

Hola! I am Erika from Mexico, living in Vancouver for the last 12 years. After many years enjoying this beautiful land, I am so honored to be able to be part of VFTP and contribute to reduce food waste and donate fruit to amazing organizations. Local markets are my favorite hobby. I enjoy buying local food and supporting small businesses. My career is Industrial Engineer with experience in Supply Chain, Business and Project Management. I’ve been volunteering for more than 20 years in many different organizations. Why?  “Because in the act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness” -Erich Fromm.

Board Treasurer

Hi I’m Rudy and I am grateful to call the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations my home. I have been a part of the VFTP organization since 2022, acting as Treasurer. For fun I like staying active, spending time with my family, giving back to the community, and gardening. If you or your friends and family share an interest or want to learn more about local charities, we would love to hear from you! Also, if you, your friends, your family, your work, your friend’s work, your family’s work would like to donate, we would be more than happy to assist you!!

Board Member at Large

Hi I’m Wendy! I‘m grateful to live, work and learn on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. Having volunteered for this organization for over 20 years, I love what the VFTP is all about. I have a keen appreciation and interest in community well-being and connectedness. I’m happy to be able to support as Board Member and should you ever need anything please just reach out!

Board Member at Large

Hi! Mba’eichapa? (how’re you in Guaraní language)

I’m a Paraguayan very grateful to share the land of the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations. As a newcomer, I’m continuously inspired by the opportunities and challenges that come with being part of a diverse community. That's why I’m thrilled to collaborate with the VFTP as a board member, as the organization’s mission for promoting food security and community building deeply resonates with me. 

With a strong background in business, sustainable development, and DEI, I supported environmental projects at the UNDP and advocated for women’s participation in the agricultural sector. Currently, I’m working at a non-profit in the affordable housing sector, and as a highly motivated and passionate individual, eager to make a positive impact in our community, I’m moved to initiatives that align with my values, I’ve been collaborating on the development of an online course in civic engagement based on my experience in governance and community development, creating system changes in community-building projects, making awareness of VAW & 2SLGBTQ+, and advocating for include immigrant women’s voices in systems/policies that impact our lives. Let's connect and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future together! celeste@vancouverfruittree.com

Board Member at Large

Hi there, I’m Raissa, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this project. Because of it, I get to join hands with fellow volunteers, rescue surplus fruit, and pass it along to those who would benefit from it the most. I am now more connected with the land and the people of this beautiful city. Born and raised in Brazil, tropical fruits are my favorite, and I always look forward to warm weather! Currently, I am a full-time university student at UBC in the Psychology program.

Board Vice-President

Hello, my name is Madeleine. I am a settler of British descent, and I grew up in the Dish with One Spoon Treaty Territory, in the city now known as Toronto. I am grateful to call the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations my home. 

The Dish with One Spoon Treaty, originally forged between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Confederacies, is a peace agreement that calls on us to recognize that we eat from a shared dish, with a single spoon. We have responsibilities to each other and the territory to take only what we need, share in our abundance and care for the land and each other. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, as an avenue to put these principles into practice and to meet like-spirited people across this city.

Board Member at Large

I grew up in Kelowna, BC, home of mountains, beaches, sunshine, and world-class fruits. I've been privileged, in Kelowna, to work and benefit from numerous farmers in the valley. In these moments, I have come to understood the impact of urban agriculture, which is far-reaching. Currently, I attend the UBC Sauder School of Business with an interest in Global Supply Chain Operations and Logistics.

Guest Researcher