Fruit for All
People are busy all around Nelson planting fruit trees in schools and community reserves. The Nelson Environment Centre has given out 45 trees with a further 200 going out in September. And in Stoke staff from Waimea Nurseries are helping House 44 to establish an open orchard in Apple Lane. Housing New Zealand has come on board and is planting fruit trees at its complexes in Sovereign Street in Nelson and Weld Street in Blenheim. And out in Motueka the orchard at the Community Hospital is being expanded with more plantings of plums and apples.
Elizabeth Hovell, the Open Orchards Coordinator at the Nelson Environment Centre says it’s been a really exciting project. “We have had an incredible response” said Elizabeth.
“It’s an inspiring programme to be part of. “The teachers and principals have been really keen to get involved, and there are also community groups planting trees so their community has access to free fruit, as well as looking after the trees.”
To find out where the fruit trees are planted, go to this map… http://www.healthyas.org.nz/fresh-foods/open-orchards/
