LifeCycles Project Society

Our mission is to build a resilient food system in Greater Victoria by growing, harvesting, and sharing food together – focusing on amplifying the abundant food resources already flourishing in our region. We endeavour to share the food we save equitably amongst those who most need it. We strive to make a difference by caring for the land, empowering our community, and building momentum within the local food movement to continue to connect people with healthy food. Our main project is the Fruit Tree Project. This project has two main objectives: 1) we are able to offer education to participants about fruit tree health, pests, diseases, and the ongoing and impending impacts of climate change – highlighting how our urban orchard contributes positively to our urban environment and offers food for our native pollinators and enriches our local eco-systems; 2) simultaneously, we harvest and redistribute over 40000lbs of otherwise wasted fruit to over 60 local organizations in our local region. We also steward a 2/3 acre public orchard, which provides us the space to offer hands-on educational workshops to adults and youth alike.

Company History

Since 1994 LifeCycles has been a hub of food education and advocacy in the Greater Victoria Region. As recently as the 1950s, Island farmers supplied 85% of our food needs and now, more than 90% of our food comes from somewhere else. LifeCycles works as an organization to educate the public about this reversal and to advocate for more local food, especially by gleaning the produce and fruit that would otherwise be directed to a waste stream. By harvesting unwanted produce, we are able to connect people with local food, educate the public about our unique food resources, offer learning experiences that help people engage in growing in their own backyards, and allow community connections in an outdoor and active setting.

Company Facts

Last year, LifeCycles harvested over 40000lbs of otherwise unwanted food, which was redistributed to over 60 social service agencies, as well as to the volunteers who help harvest it and the tree stewards who allow us to harvest their fruit.

In the past 10 years LifeCycles has started to make Value-Add Products, proceeds of which assist in keeping our programs running. Examples of these are Quince Paste, Backyard Blend Cider, fresh pressed fruit juices and a huge variety of plum products.