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Despite a humid Friday afternoon, volunteers turned out in droves to pick the bright red apples growing in a small section of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ’s seven-hectare orchard on the Manawatū campus.

The orchard plays a vital role in the curriculum for Bachelor of Horticultural and Plant Science students, offering hands-on teaching and research opportunities that allow them to get their hands dirty and flex their green thumbs.

The Dazzle apple, known for its sweet flavour and crisp texture, had flourished despite a turbulent summer. To make the most of the harvest, staff and students were invited to fill their own bags, crates or baskets before continuing to gather the fruit for the local Palmerston North charity, Just Zilch.

Among the volunteers were agriscience students Lily and Caitlin, and agribusiness student Rebecca, who enjoyed spending the afternoon outdoors.

“The apples look pretty good, we’re lucky to be able to come pick them!”

Technician Mohsen Bagheri, who has been part of the initiative for the past few years, says he always looks forward to the harvest.

“I love being out here and checking the growing system. With school holidays coming up, there are lots of apples to feed the kids! It’s a great way to combine practical learning with giving back. Everyone leaves with a few apples for themselves, but more importantly, we’re helping to feed our community.”

Just Zilch is Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest running free store, with a mission to rescue food to minimise waste and support food security in the Manawatū community.

Rebecca Culver from Just Zilch says they appreciate the apples and that their customers love them.

“With the price of so much rising, the provision of apples from Massey helps families feed both kids and adults alike. These apples couldn’t be fresher! Beautifully crisp and juicy, they’re a great, versatile and filling snack.”

Technical Manager for Agronomy and Horticulture Units Mark Osborne says it’s incredibly rewarding to see the scale of what the team can achieve when they come together for a shared purpose.

“From just our first pick on Friday, we’ve already donated over 1,000 kilograms of apples to Just Zilch, and that’s only the beginning. In past seasons, we’ve reached totals of up to 8,000 kilograms by the end of harvest, which really highlights the impact this ongoing effort can have.”

Before the season ends, the team will return a further three times to pick apples and harvest kiwifruit, alongside a smaller volunteer group that will undertake regular charity picking in between.