Public orchards could be a path for local food, community connections

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Nearly 40 fruit trees have taken root at Drake Park in what is the start of a community orchard in Des Moines.

Once established, organizers hope the orchard will serve as another place in Des Moines to build up the city’s local food infrastructure.

Chelsea Krist, chair of the steering committee for Iowa Food System Coalition, said community orchards create spaces, not only for food access, but also for communities to gather and connect over food.

“It’s a really important and accessible way to literally change the landscape and the environment where people can interact with food more directly,” Krist said.

She said spaces like a community orchard create a “touchpoint” for people to see food growing in their region. Grabbing an apple off the tree in a local park, or w