These apples from a backyard tree might go to waste, or they might be the start of a profitable side business.

By Becky McCray

Need an idea for your next small town or rural business? This one would make a good side hustle: Gather and resell fruit that would otherwise be wasted.

Think of all the fruit, berries and nuts that no one picks, especially in yards and public spaces in your town.

You don’t have to be in a big town, either. In my yard, we have apple, pear and pecan trees that produce far more than we can use. Then there are my neighbors’ half dozen fruit trees, the wild greens and seeds growing along the side of the road, not to mention the wealth of mulberries that drop each year. All that in a community of just 30 people.

It will be different where you live. My friends in Maine talk about gathering and cooking fiddlehead ferns, and Deb learned that you can forage for hazelnuts in Iowa in a workshop from her Legacy Learning group.

You might have heard food gathering called foraging, urban harvesting or gleaning. Whatever you call it, it’s an opportunity for a small business, especially a seasonal or part time gig.

Where to find free foods to gather

You can ask around to find good sources for fallen fruits.

• Who has lots of fruit trees in their yard?
• Who used to garden but is older now?

Knock on their door and ask for permission to harvest the fruits or plants they won’t be needing. You can even offer to split the harvest: part to them for having the trees or plants, part to you to sell.

You can also look around for fruit, berries or nuts that are free for anyone to take.

• Where is fruit falling on sidewalks or over fences into the alley?
• Where are berries or nut trees growing wild or in public places?

Look for classes or workshops in foraging or harvesting wild foods. Extension education groups or cultural heritage organizations may offer sessions.

Talk to your elders to learn what they remember about gathering wild foods. My grandmother told me about gathering wild greens for salad back in the Great Depression.

Be good neighbors

Learn to forage safely and for safe foods. Check your library for books about local wild foods you can check out. Ask librarians if they know of workshops and classes. Learn and follow the health and food safety regulations that apply in your area.

Don’t enter people’s private property without permission, of course. Ask permission if it’s not clear where the boundary is or it just seems like you ought to.

Leave some for others. You’re part of a community, so don’t strip shared trees bare or take more than you are pretty sure you can sell. Maybe take special care to leave some easy to reach fruits on lower branches for kids and elders who may come after you.

Be smart business people

Take small steps in your business by gathering a few samples, just enough to sell at the farmer’s market this weekend. Then you’ll have a better idea what and how much to gather on the next foraging trip.

Add value to your wild foods. Find out the health regulations, then try your hand at jams, jellies, roasted nuts or even baked goods.

Wild sand plums make great jelly that’s always in demand in Oklahoma. The bushes grow wild alongside many county roads.

You can add value to nuts like hard shell pecans by having them cracked. Learn how to thresh wild grains to make them more valuable to customers.

Even cleaning and displaying your fruits attractively will add value. Scout around the farmer’s market or grocery store for ideas how to make your own foods sell better.

The types of wild foods available and the ways you can add value to them will vary, so learn from those local workshops and local elders.

I bet you could even sell responsibly foraged flowers.

The county is just going to mow these wild sunflowers down. What if you cut some to sell at the farmers market?

Falling Fruits on the map

There’s a collaborative global map of free places to go look for foods to harvest at FallingFruit.org with entries in most countries including the US, Canada and Australia.

When you find good free food sources, add them to the map. As rural people, we know we depend on each other especially in tough times. That’s a good reason to share what you know.

You’re part of the Food Business Ecosystem

Gathering fruits and berries is just one part of a whole ecosystem of local food businesses. Find out more about creating a local food business ecosystem with this video we created with SaveYour.Town.

It’s like a Little Free Library, but with fruits and veggies. It’s called a community fruit and veg stand, and you can start one for your town. Photo courtesy of Love Food, Hate Waste

How to set up a community fruit and vegetable stand in your neighborhood

Reprinted from Love Food, Hate Waste by permission

Community fruit and vegetable stands are popping up all around New Zealand, giving people a place where they can leave their excess produce for others to help themselves to.

These little roadside structures are making a real difference in the fight against food waste by creating local sharing spaces for people to pass on food they don’t need.

Created by Mark Dennis, the idea was to provide an avenue by which people could share excess produce from their gardens with their neighbours.

What’s involved in setting up a community fruit and vegetable stand?

You will need to find a suitable location, build or source a stand and find someone to manage the stand on an on-going basis.

Where is a good place to put a stand?

A stand should be easy for the public to find with parking available. Private property (with the owner’s permission) is the best place for the stand.

Stands may be placed on the berm outside the property of the stand manager, however the berm is Council land so it is best to check with them, and your neighbours, before placing a stand on the berm.

If possible, avoid placing it near shops, bars, parks and parking lots due to the risk of vandalism.

Once you have decided on a location, please notify Community Fruit and Vegetable Stand founder Mark Dennis to have the site approved. It will then be added to the map.

How do I build a stand?

Stands should be large, strong and weather-proof to stop the food from getting wet. It should be made with treated wood. Check out the community fruit and vegetable stands Facebook group for examples of what other stands look like.

If you are unable to build your own stand then you may be able to find a local handyman/woman, community group or builder to build the stand for you. Their logo can be added to the stand as a way to thank them for their support.

How will people know where my stand is?

Once your stand is built it will appear on the map. It is also a good idea to post about it in the Community Fruit and Vegetable Stand Facebook group.

We encourage you to tell all of your neighbours about the stands, either with a letterbox drop (where allowed) or by using your local Facebook groups or social networks popular in your area.

Can people donate food other than fresh fruit and vegetables?

The stands are primarily for fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs, but they can also take small donations of non-perishable foods, such as preserves or canned goods. Home baking is also accepted, but other cooked food is not. [Important note: check with local health regulations especially around any cooked or preserved items, as these vary by country, state/territory/province and locality]

Any one dropping off food must ensure that it is fresh and suitable to eat at the time that it is dropped off. Donated eggs and baking should be labelled with the date they were collected or baked.

Any one collecting food from the stands must make a reasonable attempt to check that they are happy with the quality of the food before they eat it. No responsibility is held by the person managing the stand or the person dropping off the food for the safety of the food once it has been collected.

What ongoing work is there associated with the stand?

There will need to be a designated stand manager. This is a really easy job which just requires to check the stand every day or two in order to remove any old or inedible produce.

It is also helpful if you post regular social media updates to let people know what food is available at the stand.

Want to know more?

Go to Love Food, Hate Waste to download a copy of the complete guidelines.

Small Biz Survival thanks Mark Dennis for granting permission to share this post here.

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“I enjoy local foods.”

I say and I hear that statement more and more. And as we are right in the middle of another season, this seems like a good time to think about the good tastes among other reasons for supporting local food.

We know that agriculture is a big part of our economy. But where do local foods fit in that mix?

Small farms, those typically providing the local foods we enjoy, are growing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Across the country, as well as here in North Dakota, more farmers are involved in direct-to-consumer sales and/or are selling to grocers, restaurants, schools and institutions. A few are working actively with distributors to sell their products.

A stop in many communities finds a farmer market in operation. In addition, some farmers are selling directly to consumers from their farm or ranch. In some cases, what the farmer is offering is not only a local food but one that has some value-added component to it.

So what are local foods? How are they defined?

No consensus exists on a local foods definition. When asked, people will respond, “We know it when we see it.” No set mileage makes it local. Maybe the idea of a trade area might define it best. In a 2015 report, the USDA Economic Research Division measured it as food sold within 400 miles of its origin or within the state.

Local foods are also small businesses. They earn revenue and pay bills. Some of what they earn is money that might otherwise leave the local economy. Their purchases are often from local stores.

The average amount of income for a small farm varies widely (national average is approximately $35,000).  This category includes everyone from the hobbyist to those who are supporting themselves and their family through dedication, hard work, great products and skillful marketing.

These local foods operations also use labor. At a minimum, the proprietor provides the labor. But many other small farms have other family members involved and may hire some outside labor at times.

And, just as with small businesses, you will find these leaders involved in local organizations, serving on boards and in elected positions. Because of their ties with the community, you will find strong local commitment and a deep sense of responsibility to give back.

So just as you appreciate your local business owner, take a moment to thank your local farmers and their part in our communities.