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\\u201cIf we\\u2019re robbing these neighborhoods of those green spaces, we\\u2019re robbing them of their health as well.\\u201d

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Bryan O\\u2019Donnell (9:31-9:38)

What does planting trees have to do with helping reduce the daily food insecurity 38 million people around the world experience? Not only is there a huge correlation between communities that are low-income food deserts and a lack of trees, but just by planting one fruit tree you could be feeding families healthy produce for over 50 years!\\xa0

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Kroger\\u2019s public charity called the Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation (founded in 2018) supports organizations and innovators across the country who share the same vision of helping everyone around the world have access to affordable, nutritious food. They\\u2019ve connected with the Arbor Day Foundation, who\\u2019s helped plant and distribute 500 million trees in over 50 countries to help bring shade, food and beautify communities who need it most. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is also on the same mission, planting fruit trees in communities around the world with the goal of planting 500 million trees in the next five years.

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Arbor Day may not be something you pay too much attention to, but trees can help solve so many of our issues, from sustainability challenges, carbon emissions, creating communities free of hunger, eradicating heat waves, developing resilient communities, beautifying spaces and so much more! An issue that correlates to food insecure or food desert communities are \\u201cheat islands\\u201d, areas of cities that lack trees or green spaces. As we know, heat waves exacerbate other natural disasters and increase health issues (even death). With enough trees in these areas, some cities cool down by up to 10 degrees, and the trees also clean air, provide oxygen, absorb carbon and clean the water where it\\u2019s needed most.\\xa0

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\\u201cMore and more we\\u2019re having the conversation about climate changes and all the different things trees actually have solutions for. We\\u2019re seeing where once trees might have been a \\u2018nice to have\\u2019 in the neighborhood and we\\u2019re realizing they\\u2019re actually a \\u2018must have\\u2019.\\u201d Bryan O\\u2019Donnell (5:51-6:04)

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The work the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is doing is making incredible strides towards reducing food insecurity by planting fruit trees around the world. Arborist James Kaechele, part of the FTP, reminds us just how incredible it is to think how someone, for example, brought fig tree seeds all the way from their home in Italy, immigrated here, and planted a fruit-producing tree in his backyard of Queens, New York that has been feeding people for decades. The FTP has worked with the Havasupai Tribe located at the base of the Grand Canyon to help create the first town in the country where every family has a fruit tree in their backyard.

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\\u201cWe\\u2019re able to work with these awesome, local community folks who are hungry, literally, for more fresh produce, and they\\u2019re going to do all kinds of things to make sure those trees get watered and cared for for the decades to come.\\u201d James Kaechele (22:39-22:53)

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James mentions the most difficult part of creating orchards or AgriParks (like in Fishers, Indiana) is the initial step of transporting and planting trees to these communities. The funding and partnership work from Kroger\\u2019s Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation is playing a huge role in making this movement possible. Customers who shop at Kroger are able to donate to the foundation which is helping develop urban orchard projects and ensure the communities that need trees the most are receiving them. Trees provide essential shade, beautification, food, resilience and are a great way to educate and bring people together, enjoying nature and each other.\\xa0

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\\u201cI think what\\u2019s so cool is that for years and years to come, way past my time on this beautiful Earth, we will be able to see the benefits of this project and see the importance of something that we have taken for granted \\u2013 trees.\\u201d Ali Berman (27:13-27:30)

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It\\u2019s incredible to realize all the problems that can be solved simply by planting, nurturing and growing more trees! From climate change to natural disasters, to food insecurity and bringing communities together, the work each of these organizations is doing to create clean, healthy, natural spaces around the world is essential to our livelihood for generations to come. Think about how incredible it would be if food insecurity was no longer an issue and gorgeous orchards or gardens were available in every single community, no matter where they\\u2019re located? Planting trees that are culturally-native to each area is important too, as well as educating people on how to take care of their green spaces so they keep giving back.\\xa0

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You can donate to the Zero Waste Zero Food Foundation at your local Kroger checkout or visiting https://zerohungerzerowastefoundation.org/! Celebrate the 150th Arbor Day with your friends and family by enjoying your local park, finding a way to get involved with a community garden and hugging a tree (even if you never have before)!

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How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!

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