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agonyaunt2022-07-19 07:58 am
petrea_mitchell) wrote in agonyaunt2022-07-19 07:58 am
Fruit controversy
Why Tho? is a local column a year or so old.
Actual headline: "It’s true, some people aren’t happy about strangers touching their fruit"
Dear Lizzy,
All over my neighborhood, berries and fruit trees are popping off. So much of this fruit ends up on the ground. Can I just pick it and eat it? What are the ethics here?
Hopeful Urban Forager
Dear Hopeful Urban Forger,
You have, it appears, stepped on something of thorny blackberry bush with your question. I personally think that it depends on the fruit and the location of the fruit – if you can grab a raspberry or blueberry as you’re walking by, especially if it’s on the parking strip, you should! It’s either you or the squirrels, man. And blackberries, a known weed, are pretty much always a yes. Just don’t take more than three.
But if you need to get a ladder, go onto someone’s property or if the fruit is covered, no way. This should never turn into a u-pick situation. Don’t bring a bucket.
Also, if there’s a person there, you should obviously ask first.
And you should always beware, because you never know what people are spraying their fruit with, or what animals have peed on said fruit.
However, I put this question to Twitter and it turns out some people vehemently disagree with me, comparing fruit to flowers, or even toys on someone’s lawn.
I think fruit is different. For one, it’s meant to be eaten. That’s where its value lies so it’s different than picking a flower that is meant to be shared by looking at it or smelling it.
And unlike toys, berries especially go bad very quickly. If you see a ripe one, you might be the only person who ever sees it! You aren’t really taking berries away from the owners of the bush if you take only a few.
Sharing fruit with your neighbors creates community! Don’t we love community?
But, since I am not an expert in the field of urban foraging, I asked one.
Heather Keisler Fornes is the executive director of the Portland Fruit Tree Project, which helps Portlanders share their excess produce.
Here’s what she said:
“Urban foraging is a little tricky! Plenty of homeowners are thrilled to share (if you’re one of them, we have a handy sign on our website you can print out!), but others aren’t happy about strangers touching their fruit. We always recommend talking to the homeowner where possible if there’s no clear invitation. If it’s a public tree, that’s another story, but do be cautious about trees in public parks since there are foraging rules depending on the jurisdiction. We host a Facebook group called Share in the Harvest where you can post excess fruit and get invited to do some harvesting, if you’re seeking out opportunities.
“As a rule, if it falls on the ground, there’s your standard 30-second rule – and even then, it needs solid washing. There’s a lot of bacteria on and in the soil that can get you sick, so we definitely don’t recommend eating windfall. That said, it’s also really important to clean up the fallen fruit, since it can increase the likelihood of pest and disease issues for next year’s crop.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t also include that if people need help with excess fruit, our harvest season is open and we’re happy to help with any fruit or nut-producing plant/tree as our schedule allows!”
You can find out more at portlandfruit.org.
My advice? If you own fruit trees or bushes and you either want or don’t want people taking some of your bounty, put up a sign. It will make things easier for everyone.
Happy fruit season!
Lizzy
Actual headline: "It’s true, some people aren’t happy about strangers touching their fruit"
Dear Lizzy,
All over my neighborhood, berries and fruit trees are popping off. So much of this fruit ends up on the ground. Can I just pick it and eat it? What are the ethics here?
Hopeful Urban Forager
Dear Hopeful Urban Forger,
You have, it appears, stepped on something of thorny blackberry bush with your question. I personally think that it depends on the fruit and the location of the fruit – if you can grab a raspberry or blueberry as you’re walking by, especially if it’s on the parking strip, you should! It’s either you or the squirrels, man. And blackberries, a known weed, are pretty much always a yes. Just don’t take more than three.
But if you need to get a ladder, go onto someone’s property or if the fruit is covered, no way. This should never turn into a u-pick situation. Don’t bring a bucket.
Also, if there’s a person there, you should obviously ask first.
And you should always beware, because you never know what people are spraying their fruit with, or what animals have peed on said fruit.
However, I put this question to Twitter and it turns out some people vehemently disagree with me, comparing fruit to flowers, or even toys on someone’s lawn.
I think fruit is different. For one, it’s meant to be eaten. That’s where its value lies so it’s different than picking a flower that is meant to be shared by looking at it or smelling it.
And unlike toys, berries especially go bad very quickly. If you see a ripe one, you might be the only person who ever sees it! You aren’t really taking berries away from the owners of the bush if you take only a few.
Sharing fruit with your neighbors creates community! Don’t we love community?
But, since I am not an expert in the field of urban foraging, I asked one.
Heather Keisler Fornes is the executive director of the Portland Fruit Tree Project, which helps Portlanders share their excess produce.
Here’s what she said:
“Urban foraging is a little tricky! Plenty of homeowners are thrilled to share (if you’re one of them, we have a handy sign on our website you can print out!), but others aren’t happy about strangers touching their fruit. We always recommend talking to the homeowner where possible if there’s no clear invitation. If it’s a public tree, that’s another story, but do be cautious about trees in public parks since there are foraging rules depending on the jurisdiction. We host a Facebook group called Share in the Harvest where you can post excess fruit and get invited to do some harvesting, if you’re seeking out opportunities.
“As a rule, if it falls on the ground, there’s your standard 30-second rule – and even then, it needs solid washing. There’s a lot of bacteria on and in the soil that can get you sick, so we definitely don’t recommend eating windfall. That said, it’s also really important to clean up the fallen fruit, since it can increase the likelihood of pest and disease issues for next year’s crop.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t also include that if people need help with excess fruit, our harvest season is open and we’re happy to help with any fruit or nut-producing plant/tree as our schedule allows!”
You can find out more at portlandfruit.org.
My advice? If you own fruit trees or bushes and you either want or don’t want people taking some of your bounty, put up a sign. It will make things easier for everyone.
Happy fruit season!
Lizzy