The AppleTree Group is a Toronto-based, non-profit organization that has been building community via sustainable food initiatives and free, family-friendly programming since 2008. What originally started as a market concept supporting rural farmers and local producers grew to become a social enterprise, with a signature brand of fresh markets and outdoor urban food courts, school food programs, and diverse community events.
The grass-roots group was founded by husband and wife team Chris Trussell, a Brockville-born musician and local foods activist, and Lesley Stoyan, a fitness and wellness educator, culinary nutritionist, and proud Torontonian. Their goal was to recreate a small-town feel in the big city by upholding their mission statement - "putting the neighbour back in neighbourhood." The initiative evolved over the years as AppleTree Markets sprouted up in multiple Toronto neighbourhoods, and their concepts to reinvent green spaces for public betterment gained popularity. Their flagship project in June Rowlands Park, a popular midtown destination, transformed outdated playgrounds into eco-friendly adventure spaces, implemented educational gardens for workshops and community gatherings, and helped design the Sharon, Lois and Bram Music Garden. Over the past decade, AppleTree has hosted outdoor movie nights, Easter egg hunts, Canada Day parties and Pumpkin Parades - with the goal of always making these public events free and accessible for all.
In 2020, when the group was set to grow the organization even further, the pandemic forced closure, drying up all sources of funding and revenue.
As everyone collectively begins to re-emerge in 2022, the team at AppleTree has a new vision - to #ReGrowTO - a campaign to RECONNECT isolated residents, help small businesses RECOVER lost revenue incurred by the lockdowns, and REBUILD a stronger, healthier, more resilient Toronto. With a team approach and generous support, safe and sustainable public spaces can be created, infused with beauty and inspiration, and allow residents to truly come together as a city. We cannot do this alone and need the generous support from the community at large #ItTakesAVillage.
