Develop a virtual local community orchard as a blue print for a network of virtual city orchards across the Coventry - followed by a series of the real things!
Submitted by
Rachel Adshead
The Urban Fruit Collective have been collecting the fruit which would otherwise go to waste from peoples' back gardens over the last 2 years. This fruit is then distributed to the community and charities, eliminating waste and spreading good will and plenty of enjoyment!
The harvesting project could provide much more fruit for Coventrians locally and with minimum CO2 emissions. It provides a focus for community involvement, raises the general consciousness of food miles and increases participation in growing food and healthy lifestysles.
We need to develop a way of accurately mapping trees which are offered for harvesting and link these trees with people who would like to climb a tree! Some easy way for identifying when a tree is ready for harvesting and a diary to show what, whom and where.... really a system to log data easily, make contacts and ensure that the fruit is easily and swiftly distributed to where it will be used....
Longer term I'd like to see spaces where orchards are planted and maintained for the use and benefit of the whole community. Spaces which are wildlife havens and space for freerange people to enjoy peace and tranquility as well as spaces where we grow our own fruits and share them with our communities.
Great idea - Hi Rachel! - just wondering whether there's also a way of using tech to map what's already available and somehow almost making a city-wide orchard as well as a smaller defined *actual* orchard - does that make sense? I think it would be worth talking to Anne Forgan because I think the project she's currently doing at Artspace is in a similar vein. Maybe we can talk more about this tomorrow? Janet (@vornster)
We have talked about mapping existing fruit trees... I think this would be a super idea... theen we can link up fruit trees with harvesting more easily and possibly more widely.... we would need to work on a central space for distributing fruit - perhaps asking local shops to host a trolley of free apples... could have benefits for the shop by attracting new clintele.... haven't tested the idea yet but hopeful it might work..... would be grateful for comments and thoughts.. Rachel x
How do you think would be the best way to collect information about the location of fruit trees? If there was an article in the telegraph with a coupon it might help you reach older people who may not be online. Would you be able to process paper? I know a bunch of journalists who would be able to promote this for you. How about a market stall to sell your fruit/chutnies?