Food News: Urban Fruit Gleaning

Fresh fruit from the backyard to the those in need of food. This is a win-win for all involved, including the volunteers who pick the fruit, they get to help others, and keep half of the bounty for themselves.

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[2painfull]

good stuff! how about a pruning party in the winter so the trees wouldnt get so huge. Just a suggestion.

[cookingupastory]

What a great idea! This would be not only beneficial for the trees, but also for those folks who are a bit wary to do any pruning at all. As a group, we all learn from each other. Thanks, 2painfull !

[Kowneyn]

Are this trees drinking battery acid, and engine oils, soda and cigarrets butts and condom remains? then no! I will go with farmer's market.

[cookingupastory]

Interesting point, but no, it was a clean lot...no debris and no junk in sight.

[Denisehealthnut]

Oh My God, I need to do this here in LA... so many lemon trees and orange trees and avocado trees and nobody eats them. They literally rot and I've thought of this but help me on how to start please!

[cookingupastory]

Katy Kolker, who started the program w/the help of others, said she would share info in starting one up. There is a link to her website on my website ( cookingupastory[dot]com ). Click on 'Portland Fruit Tree Project' (under Sustainable Living blogroll list), and it will take you right there. Good Luck! I know it will succeed, if started!!

[her1337ness]

@Kowneyn pretty sure people that are going to a food bank aren't too overly concerned about where their food was grown. Most are simply seeking something to eat to stay alive. These trees looked like they were growing in a clean lot anyhow.

[RLF777]

We see the numbers of people homeless continue to increase ,including single Mothers with Children...With donations way down.

[parduspilot]

I planted a tropical vine with leaves and stems which can be eaten like spinach. It's called Malabar Spinach and it can be grown on trellises or fences. It loves heat as long as it gets plenty of water and the leaves can be steamed or boiled. Its a decorative, tasty, and self-seeding annual in temperate climates.

[parduspilot]

Has anyone done a study on how much lead or other pollutants contaminates plants next to roadways.

[parduspilot]

I think fruits are only PART of a healthy diet.

[ROFLpwnedvideos]

Best idea I've ever heard.

[crisology]

"the findings of this experimental animal study indicate that MEMP possesses hypoglycemic activity, and thus lends credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of adult-onset, type-2 diabetic mellitus among the Yoruba-speaking people of South-Western Nigeria"

Hypoglycemic effect of methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca (Musaceae) green fruits in normal and diabetic mice. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Jul-Aug;25(6):453-6.

[crisology]

"current diabetes epidemic is a global concern with readily available effective therapies or preventative measures in demand. One natural product with such potential is the pomegranate (Punica granatum), with hypoglycemic activity noted from its flowers, seeds, and juice.. Pomegranate fractions and their active compounds hold potential and are worthy of further investigations as safe and effective medical treatments for diabetes mellitus and its pathological consequences. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10