Milwaukee Neighborhood Introduces Community Orchard

Thirty fruit and nut trees are now a part of a new garden located in a Milwaukee African-American neighborhood. The Peoples Orchard is part of a joint initiative with the city of Milwaukee, the Victory Garden Initiative and other local organizations.

Pastor Steve Jerbi of Peoples Church said that the garden will involve youth and help bring jobs to the community.

“It’s so much more than just the access,” said Jerbi. “It creates a culture of celebrating local food. And because this is a multi-generational effort, we’ve got young people and we’ve got adults who are working alongside them.”

Jerbi said the garden will hopefully also help create jobs and address the lack of fresh food in the neighborhood.

Plans are underway to double the size of the garden and create jobs for transitional workers.