By Zanub Saeed
The Washington D.C.-area based organization ECO City Farms was chosen as one of three to receive a fruit orchard as part of Edy's Fruit Bars' Communities Take Root program, the company announced on Monday.
The planting of the tree will take place on June 23rd in Edmonston, MD, and will provide food and music, courtesy of Edy's, said the food brand in a press release issued Monday. The Communities Take Root initiative was brought about to plant more tree orchards and better improve the environment, and this summer Edy's was given the honor to choose the recipients of the trees.
"In many communities like the Washington D.C. area, there is a huge disparity between the need for fresh fruit and its availability. The Edy's brand is proud to do our part to uplift these underserved communities," Ritu Mathur, Fruit Bars Associate Brand Manager, said for the press release. "We are thrilled to award ECO City Farms a community fruit orchard, which will have a positive impact on the Washington D.C. area by encouraging healthy eating, improving the neighborhood environment and strengthening the community."
ECO City Farms, noted the press release, is a nonprofit organization designed to serve as a "prototype" for local farming areas. It also provides education and information on how to sustain viable food-related income-producing businesses throughout the Washington, D.C. and Maryland area.
The Communities Take Root program comes in conjunction with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, which Edy's partnered with again, said the press release, aiding in the planting of fruit trees to help fight world hunger and fight against global warming.
"Receiving a fruit orchard courtesy of Edy's Fruit Bars helps us with our mission at ECO City Farms to create models for others on how to produce locally grown organic food in the Washington D.C. area," Margaret Morgan-Hubbard, CEO of ECO City Farms, was quoted as saying for the press release. "With this fruit orchard, we will be able to educate others about sustainable farming, healthy eating and active living. In the D.C. area where access to fresh, local and sustainably grown fruit is limited, the fruit orchard is an invaluable teaching tool and will dramatically impact our community."
