A new community initiative
The City Council of Reus has begun an innovative action that involves the collection of oranges of the 174 trees planted in the public roads of the city. This harvest is used for the production of jam, which will be distributed through the social pantry of the Social Center El Roser, as well as institutional gifts for the citizenry.
Collaboration for a common goal
This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Area of Services for People and Social Rights and the Department of Public Road, with the coordination of the Espigoladores Foundation through the project ‘Urban (EAT) in’. The aim is to identify and take advantage of the fruits of urban trees, promoting sustainable and inclusive management of the food resources available in the city.
The future of urban use
In addition to the oranges, the olive gathering of the olive trees in the territory is already being planned, with the intention of producing oil for the social dining room, as well as the use of carobs.
Multiple benefits of harvest
In recent weeks, the municipal brigades have worked intensely on the harvest of this fruit with two fundamental objectives: on the one hand, to minimize the impact of the fallen oranges on the cleaning of the city, and on the other, to ensure that the fruit boxes reach the Social Center El Roser for their use.
Results so far
To date, about 1,000 kg of oranges have been collected, which will be transformed into bitter orange jam thanks to the Espigoladores Foundation, in collaboration with the IM-Perfect job placement company.
Opinions of the project managers
Anabel Martínez, Councilor for the Area of Services for People and Social Rights, emphasizes that ‘This initiative turns oranges that were so far waste into a useful product’. He also emphasizes that this project contributes to the fight against food waste.
For his part, Daniel Marcos, councilor of public roads, adds that ‘the use of this fruit is part of a strategy of social and solidarity economy, while also offering solutions to the problems of dirt that can generate these fruits’.
A model for other cities
‘Urban (EAT) in’ is presented as a pioneering model that seeks to transform food use in cities, based on the identification and use of the fruits of urban trees, thus fostering a more sustainable and inclusive food system.