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News Release

Portland Fruit Tree Project Expands Fresh Food Distribution With New West Side Harvest Hub - 06/29/26

Grand Opening Celebration

Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Bethlehem House of Bread
9055 SW Locust Street, Tigard, OR 97223

This summer, Portland Fruit Tree Project is expanding with a second refrigerated distribution hub on the west side of the metro area in partnership with Bethlehem House of Bread, a long-standing Tigard nonprofit that provides groceries, prepared meals, clothing, household essentials, and compassionate support to neighbors facing food insecurity and financial hardship. 

 

For the past 20 years, Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP) has mobilized thousands of volunteers to rescue fruit from backyard trees, community orchards, and Portland Parks, ensuring fresh, local produce doesn't go to waste but instead reaches families experiencing food insecurity through a network of community food pantries. 

 

A cornerstone of that work is PFTP's refrigerated fruit hub, where volunteers and staff bring in tens of thousands of pounds of freshly harvested fruit each year for distribution to partner food pantries. Until now, that operation has been centered at Leaven Community Center in Northeast Portland.

 

The expansion comes as Oregon communities are experiencing increased demand for emergency food. Recent federal changes to SNAP have reduced or eliminated food assistance for thousands of Oregonians through expanded work requirements and other eligibility changes. The Oregon Department of Human Services estimates that nearly 7,000 Oregonians have already experienced reductions in or loss of SNAP benefits this year, with thousands more expected to be affected as the changes continue to roll out. Additional federal changes are also reducing benefits for many households and phasing out SNAP nutrition education programs across the state.

 

“Fresh produce is one of the most requested items at our pantry, yet it's often unavailable because of cost and limited supply,” said Bethlehem House of Bread Pastoral Director Jeff Lowery. “Recent reductions in USDA funding have made access even more challenging. Our partnership with Portland Fruit Tree Project will help ensure more fresh, healthy food reaches the people who need it most”. 

 

Originally envisioned as a gradual expansion, the west side hub became an immediate priority this year as community partners anticipated growing demand. To help make the project possible, Portland Fruit Tree Project launched a fundraising campaign—and was met with extraordinary generosity.

 

The Starseed Foundation, moved by the growing need for fresh food access in Oregon, stepped forward with a transformational gift that fully funded the new refrigeration hub.

 

"This gift allows us to respond immediately rather than years from now," said Executive Director of Portland Fruit Tree Project Heather Kessler Fornes. "It means more fruit rescued, more volunteers engaged, and more healthy food delivered to local families."

 

Members of the media, community partners, local politicians, and the public are invited to celebrate the opening of the new harvest hub on Thursday, July 23, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Bethlehem House of Bread, 9055 SW Locust Street in Tigard. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet staff and volunteers from both organizations, and learn how this partnership will increase access to fresh, locally harvested produce throughout Washington County and the greater Portland region.

 

Please RSVP for press by emailing Kathrynh@portlandfruit.org

RSVP for guests at https://bethlehemhouseofbread.org/fruit-fridge-celebration

 

Portland Fruit Tree Project Expands Fresh Food Distribution With New West Side Harvest Hub - 06/29/26

Grand Opening Celebration

Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Bethlehem House of Bread
9055 SW Locust Street, Tigard, OR 97223

This summer, Portland Fruit Tree Project is expanding with a second refrigerated distribution hub on the west side of the metro area in partnership with Bethlehem House of Bread, a long-standing Tigard nonprofit that provides groceries, prepared meals, clothing, household essentials, and compassionate support to neighbors facing food insecurity and financial hardship. 

 

For the past 20 years, Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP) has mobilized thousands of volunteers to rescue fruit from backyard trees, community orchards, and Portland Parks, ensuring fresh, local produce doesn't go to waste but instead reaches families experiencing food insecurity through a network of community food pantries. 

 

A cornerstone of that work is PFTP's refrigerated fruit hub, where volunteers and staff bring in tens of thousands of pounds of freshly harvested fruit each year for distribution to partner food pantries. Until now, that operation has been centered at Leaven Community Center in Northeast Portland.

 

The expansion comes as Oregon communities are experiencing increased demand for emergency food. Recent federal changes to SNAP have reduced or eliminated food assistance for thousands of Oregonians through expanded work requirements and other eligibility changes. The Oregon Department of Human Services estimates that nearly 7,000 Oregonians have already experienced reductions in or loss of SNAP benefits this year, with thousands more expected to be affected as the changes continue to roll out. Additional federal changes are also reducing benefits for many households and phasing out SNAP nutrition education programs across the state.

 

“Fresh produce is one of the most requested items at our pantry, yet it's often unavailable because of cost and limited supply,” said Bethlehem House of Bread Pastoral Director Jeff Lowery. “Recent reductions in USDA funding have made access even more challenging. Our partnership with Portland Fruit Tree Project will help ensure more fresh, healthy food reaches the people who need it most”. 

 

Originally envisioned as a gradual expansion, the west side hub became an immediate priority this year as community partners anticipated growing demand. To help make the project possible, Portland Fruit Tree Project launched a fundraising campaign—and was met with extraordinary generosity.

 

The Starseed Foundation, moved by the growing need for fresh food access in Oregon, stepped forward with a transformational gift that fully funded the new refrigeration hub.

 

"This gift allows us to respond immediately rather than years from now," said Executive Director of Portland Fruit Tree Project Heather Kessler Fornes. "It means more fruit rescued, more volunteers engaged, and more healthy food delivered to local families."

 

Members of the media, community partners, local politicians, and the public are invited to celebrate the opening of the new harvest hub on Thursday, July 23, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Bethlehem House of Bread, 9055 SW Locust Street in Tigard. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet staff and volunteers from both organizations, and learn how this partnership will increase access to fresh, locally harvested produce throughout Washington County and the greater Portland region.

 

Please RSVP for press by emailing Kathrynh@portlandfruit.org

RSVP for guests at https://bethlehemhouseofbread.org/fruit-fridge-celebration