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 Vice -President

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 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 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 Secretary

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

Hi there! My name is Shokoofeh and I am thrilled and honoured to be serving as a Board Member for the VFTP. I'm a climate and sustainability strategy professional with a deep passion for building a more resilient and equitable food system. Food has always been central to my identity. Growing up as a Canadian-born Iranian, it connected me to my culture and family abroad. As I became more aware of climate change and resource exploitation threatening our food system, I felt a personal responsibility to take action. This commitment has shaped my career, leading me to focus on sustainable food systems transformation. Beyond my passion for food systems resilience, I love to travel, hike, cycle, snowboard, run, and lift weights. I'm also a huge matcha and coffee lover and love to explore new cafes in the city.

I look forward to connecting with the community and helping drive forward VFTP's mission. Please feel free to connect with me at shokoofeh@vancouverfruittree.com.

Board Member at Large

Hi I’m Jacob!! I am so grateful to be on the board of the VFTP.  I recently graduated from Concordia University where I studied sociology and sustainability. I have a passion for working with nonprofits, and for advocating for food security and sustainability in our food systems. In my spare time, I love to go for runs and bike rides, read, write, and cook new recipes!

Board Member at Large

Hi, I’m Ghazali! I am grateful to live and work on the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations. I believe food is more than just nourishment, it’s a means to build community, foster resilience, and create meaningful change. That’s why I’m excited to be part of VFTP, where I can help reduce food waste and increase access to fresh, local produce.

With a background in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, and currently pursuing a Master of Food and Resource Economics at UBC, I’m passionate about sustainable food systems, policy analysis, and data-driven solutions. My work with the Global Landscape Forum has connected me to global sustainability efforts, community-driven solutions, and grassroots advocacy, experiences that inspire my contributions to VFTP.

I’m excited to bring my skills and passion to this important work and look forward to collaborating with the team to build a more food-secure and connected community!

Board Member at Large

I’m Julia, a relatively new arrival to the west coast of Canada, where I am grateful to have gotten to know the beautiful and bountiful lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations through my involvement in the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project.

Food security and sustainable agriculture have been interests of mine for most of my adult life, perhaps because I come from a long line of farmers. For the past 10 years I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering and working in these domains across several major cities in Canada, including so-called Montréal, Toronto, and now Vancouver. Having volunteered with a similar urban fruit harvesting initiative in Montréal (Les fruits défendus), I am thrilled to continue working towards increasing accessibility of fresh, local food, reducing food waste, and building community in this new place I call home. 

Board Member at Large

Hi there, I’m Carol, Canadian-born Chinese and lucky to call Vancouver my home all of my life. As an Urban Planner by trade, UBC graduate and postgraduate from University of Calgary, I enjoy the process of community building and connecting to the natural environment through neighbourhood parks and gardens. The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project is a perfect opportunity to bring my shared inspiration of growing/harvesting fruit and supporting nature within the local community. I am open to all areas to sustain, develop and promote this long-standing project in Vancouver; with special interest in public outreach and continuous investment, monitoring & evaluation of key initiatives benefiting stakeholders, volunteers, and community members. 

Guest Researcher