City Citrus began in 2013 with goals to convert underused urban green space into scalable, sustainably-managed citrus orchards that provide healthy food options naturally and address food equity, while also adding to our canopy.
City Citrus Site establishment
Baton Rouge Green assists volunteer Citrus Shepherds in establishing mini citrus orchards near businesses, churches, schools, libraries, homes, etc. These Shepherds commit to care for the trees and “Share the Fruit” in whatever method of sharing works best for them and their community. Baton Rouge Green staff is available to assist with professional knowledge, planning maintenance regimes, practical demonstrations and as a general resource to the Shepherds.
#ShareTheFruit
City Citrus, and its mantra “Share the Fruit”, aims to enhance communities and neighborhood experiences through the sharing of resources (i.e. fruit). The fruit from these orchards is considered “open-source”, meaning that they can be passively shared or privately shared.
We hope to encourage citizens to utilize resilient edible plants in landscapes which achieve multiple goals and make productive use of green space — improving food equity and the diminishing urban canopy of Baton Rouge.
The Pick Event
Each year we partner residents who have well-established trees producing more fruit than they can consume with volunteer pickers to harvest their citrus during winter. The fresh local fruit, donated and harvested entirely by volunteers, is given to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and distributed across their 11-parish network to families in need.
Since its inception, the Pick Event has harvested a total of over 36,000 pounds of fresh fruit that might have otherwise gone to waste!
City Citrus Shepherds
We can’t thank our Citrus Shepherds enough for joining the movement! These community-minded folks have offered up their time and green space to host City Citrus sites and share the fruit.
- Arlington Prep Academy
- Broadmoor Presbyterian
- City of St. Gabriel
- Church of the Way
- Claiborne Elementary
- Expressway Park (BREC)
- Family & Youth Service Center
- Giraphic Prints
- Glasgow Middle School
- Gray’s Creek Elementary
- Gulf South Research Corporation
- Highland Road at South Blvd (Pilot Site)
- Highland Road Park (BREC)
- Jewel J. Newman Community Center
- LA 1 Truck Stop
- Louisiana State University
- Our Father’s Garden
- Rotary Club of Port Allen
- Scotlandville Gardens Park
- Shenandoah Elementary
- Studio C
- Southern University (2 sites)
- Tara High School
- Webb Park Walking Trail
Special thanks to Lamar Advertising of Baton Rouge for their ongoing support of City Citrus!
Raising Cane’s first got involved with Baton Rouge Green in 2007 because I truly believe in what they do to beautify Baton Rouge. I grew up here and over the years, there has been so much growth and development. While that’s great, we’ve lost a lot of our tree cover and natural beauty. Baton Rouge Green has an important role sustaining our community trees and green spaces.Todd Graves Founder/CEO/Fry Cook/Cashier, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
The 2022 PICK EVENT set a new record harvest!
In just a few hours 150 volunteers harvested 6,122 lbs. of fresh citrus for families in need! Thanks to all who participated and we hope to see you back for the 2023 Pick!
