Adelaide plan to feed homeless by planting roadside fruit trees

Fruit trees are set to be planted along Adelaide streets in a bid to help feed the homeless and improve the roads’ image.

The plan to plant the trees on nature strips in the city’s west was placed before the City of West Torrens council by Cr Kym McKay this week. 

He said Canada, New York City and parts of the UK were already planting fruit trees along their streets and the council area should follow suit, The Messenger reported.

The plan to plant the trees (stock image) on nature strips in the city’s west was placed before the City of West Torrens council by Cr Kym McKay this week

The councillor added that citrus trees, such as lemons, oranges and grapefruits should be planted. 

‘I just think that if everyone else in the world is doing it, West Torrens Council should be doing it too,’ Cr McKay said.

‘If a homeless person was walking along, though, and wanted to pick some fruit or a local school wanted to harvest it — what a great idea.’

The plan was backed by his fellow councillor Arthur Mangos, who suggested three to four fruit trees should be planted on one street in a trial.

‘You are going to get produce such as mandarins and name me a person who doesn’t like eating citrus or olives,’ he said. 

‘And the other good thing is that its not the homeowner’s tree so anyone can walk along and pick them so to me it’s a reasonable suggestion.’

Mayor John Trainer said he was ‘sympathetic’ towards the idea, but said arrangements would have to be made about what to do with unripened fruit.   

He said Canada, New York City and parts of the UK were already planting fruit trees along their streets and the council area should follow suit (stock image)