Submitted by SIRCH Community Services

Another successful Applesauce Project is in the books thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of a caring community. This year, Lakeside Church took the lead. The annual project took place the week of Sept. 21, with apples being donated by the community at large.

On Sept. 22 a small group of volunteers gathered (maintaining social distancing and COVID-19 protocols) at Lakeside Church in Haliburton to turn the bushels of apples into applesauce. A total of 654 portions were packaged into 327 containers (each containing a double portion).

The Applesauce Project is a FoodNet initiative which asks residents with apple trees to donate any unused apples so they may be made into delicious fruit servings, which are then distributed free throughout the community. This is the sixth year of the project, which has made more than 10,400 servings of fruit since its inception, according to SIRCH records.

The applesauce is distributed through SIRCH, Meals on Wheels, and through local food banks. Community partners include Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, SIRCH Community Services, Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Community Support Services, with containers donated from Entrée Plus.