Pick apples, protect bears and share a meal at North Valley Food Bank’s Harvest Fest

It’s almost fall in Whitefish, and the North Valley Food Bank team looks forward to crisp air, golden leaves, and apples ready to harvest. 

On Saturday, Sept. 6, North Valley Food Bank invites the community to roll up their sleeves, pick apples from local trees, and help turn fruit into meals and memories.  

Apple picking will begin at 10 a.m. at the food bank, located at 251 Flathead Ave, Whitefish, where volunteers will be assigned to City of Whitefish fruit trees to harvest, then bring back their bounty back to process in food bank’s commercial kitchen. 

After the harvest, there will be a celebration from noon to 2 p.m., there will be face painting, crafts and a cider press. Conservation and food access advocates can learn about living alongside bears and how the apple harvest helps. There will be a delicious meal featuring favorites from local farms at the pay-what-you-can pop-up restaurant.  

North Valley Food Bank’s Culinary Arts Manager, Rachael Broom, and kitchen volunteers are preparing the menu.  

“All of our events offer fresh food at a pay-what-you-can model,” Broom said. “We do this so everyone has a seat at the table, no matter your financial status.” 

On the menu is a “Let’s Root For Each Other” beet burger to celebrate the Great Fish Community Challenge, a cheesesteak sandwich topped with pickled vegetables, and an apple cheese soup including apples from this year’s harvest.  

Community partners will host interactive and educational booths. FAST Blackfeet will share “create your own popcorn” seasoning blends and tea samples, while also teaching the community about culture and respect for nature during the harvesting season.  

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will present bear-aware information and education about the Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone and will take apples to the bear sanctuary that are too damaged to be processed in the food bank’s kitchen. 

Farmer Dane and Farmer Giovanni from the Flathead Valley Community College Campus Farm will host a booth to share farming tips with community members.  

Dirt Rich Compost will provide information about composting locally and are making the event zero-waste, while Abundant Montana, a local food access organization, will share exciting updates about their 33 by 33 campaign that works on getting 33% Montana-grown food on all Montana plates by 2033.  

The Harvest Fest is more than just apples; it celebrates food security, wildlife safety and sustainability.  

Glacier Bank is the sponsor for this event.  

For more information visit northvalleyfoodbank.org/news-events/harvest-fest  

To sign up for the morning harvest contact [email protected] or 406-862-5863 (Ext 1008).