Atlanta may seek $30K to plant fruit, nut trees

A $30,000 grant would bring about 40 fruit- and nut-bearing trees to Atlanta’s southeast side for the enjoyment of residents – with the aim of bettering their diets in an acknowledged “food desert” lacking in healthy food choices.

Red mulberries, serviceberries, pecan trees and the like are to be planted on a 7.1-acre site in Council District 1, Urban Agriculture Director Mario Cambardella told this week’s meeting of the City Council Community Development/Human Resources Committee.

The panel recommended full Council passage of a resolution authorizing the city to apply for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation grant.

Cambardella declined to identify the site, as the land is under contract, but he added there are already 10 fruit or nut trees on the property. Trees Atlanta will install the trees next fall.

Their edible output will be free to residents, Cambardella said – “just as serviceberries are in many of our parks and many of our public spaces, just as many pecan trees are in neighborhoods all across Atlanta, just as blueberry bushes are native to this area.”

The city is working with U.S. Forest Service on a long-term management strategy. “I believe through this community engagement over the next four months, we should have a very solid plan moving forward on who gets access to these trees, where the fruits of these trees go, and the rules and guiding principles thereof,” Cambardella said