First Lady Maria Shriver Plants First Edible Fruit Tree Grove on Grounds of California State Capitol
Announces Fruit Tree Grant Program to Expand the State Capitol Grove to Schools
Sacramento, CA - In celebration of the one year anniversary of the WE Garden in Capitol Park,First Lady Maria Shriver today planted the first edible fruit tree grove on the grounds of the California State Capitol, in partnership with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, Jamba Juice Company and California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. In conjunction with the WE Garden, the fruit tree grove will serve as a way to educate and inspire Californians about the important lessons of fresh and nutritious foods. The expansion of the garden will produce a greater harvest that will be donated to Sacramento Loaves and Fishes to continue to help feed families in need with nutritious and fresh food.
“I am very proud of the partnerships and community groups that we work with to sustain this garden,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “It has been tremendously successful in producing food to help feed the community, and I’m thrilled that these fruit trees will only add to the harvest. This is truly a garden that belongs to the people of California.”
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who joined Shriver at the event said, “I want to commend First Lady Maria Shriver for her work to promote healthy eating and sustainable living. The WE Garden program is a shining example that the best gifts we can leave the next generation are a greener environment and a healthier way to live.”
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation donated four mature trees that were planted adjacent to the WE Garden, which include an almond, apricot, plum and cherry tree. To help expand the WE Garden fruit tree grove beyond the State Capitol, Jamba announced that it was creating an “It’s All About the Fruit” fruit tree planting competitive grant program, inspired by First Lady Maria Shriver, for schools to expand their gardens to include fruit trees and create long-term sustainable solutions. The first set of $500 fruit tree grants were awarded today to five Sacramento City Unified elementary and middle schools.
“The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is honored to partner with First Lady Maria Shriver and the WE Garden program to create a demonstration model of sustainability and nutrition through an organic, homegrown mini-orchard,” says Cem Akin, FTPF’s executive director. “Promise and hope for a healthier, greener world can spring out of the seed of a single fruit tree.”
In addition to the fruit tree grants, Jamba announced that it has partnered with Shriver’s WE Garden program to launch an easy fundraising opportunity for schools and communities that encourages nutrition education through gardening. Together with the National Gardening Association, the partnership will be supported through the Jamba Healthy Communities Swipe Card program. Building on their commitment to promote fun, innovative solutions for healthier schools, Jamba will create a “Sip to Support a Garden” fundraising program to give schools and community gardens a year-round funding source to support nutrition education and gardening. Jamba will provide its team members 15,000 hours of volunteer hours to plant fruit trees and support the gardens.
“Jamba Juice is proud to partner with Maria Shriver and the WE Garden program to create year-round resources for schools and community organizations that support gardening and nutrition education,” said James D. White, President and CEO of Jamba Juice Company. “Through our fruit tree planting grants and volunteer initiative we aim to create more sustainable communities and inspire the next generation of leaders who are passionate about giving back. That’s really what Jamba Juice is all about.”
The WE Garden is located on the east end of Capitol Park and is maintained by the Department of General Services in partnership with the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and the American River College’s horticulture program. Since the initial planting of the WE Garden in May 2009, some highlights of produce that have been harvested and donated includes 147 bundles of chives, 96 green bell peppers, 91 bundles of parsley, 58 bundles of sweet basil and 54 yellow squash. All harvests have been donated to the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes program, feeding the homeless and communities in need.
For more information on First Lady Maria Shriver’s WE Garden project visithttp://www.firstlady.ca.gov/projects/school-gardens.