Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton

OFRE is a fledgling non-profit organization that harvests fruit from volunteer fruit growers who otherwise would not be able to pick or use the fruit produced on their property. The fruit is distributed to growers, pickers, and the food pantry, and OFRE cans and preserves the rest for sale at local farmers' markets.

I had heard of OFRE but didn't know much about it. My roommate was on the mailing list and so knew about events and volunteer opportunities. We spent an evening sorting, crushing and pressing apples into cider using wooden, hand-operated presses like this one. (The juice here is crab apple, which is surprisingly drinkable, though very tart.)