Fruit trees planted in Historic LaVilla neighborhood to feed veterans experiencing homelessness

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fresh fruit can be hard to come by for our most vulnerable neighbors.

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But now, a local nonprofit is hoping a community garden can fill that gap.

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Right next to the Clara White Mission in the Historic LaVilla neighborhood, tree roots are going in the ground. They will soon yield healthy, fresh options.

“Muscadine grapes, blackberries, pears, figs, nectarines, peaches, avocado, and jujube, which is also known as a Chinese date,” Mallory Schott listed off. She’s the farm manager at White Harvest Farms.

These trees will help feed veterans experiencing homelessness who otherwise wouldn’t have access to healthy produce.

“We’re really excited to expose this community to all different kinds of fruits and vegetables that they can enjoy,” she added.

Volunteers are going to be planting between 45 and 50 trees, which in the next year are going produce about 500 pounds of fruit.

Read: $10,000 grant will help expand garden at Jacksonville School for Autism

The mission next door provides shelter to unhoused veterans.

Many of them are here paying it forward, like Army veteran Richard Barnes.

“It’s been fun,” he pointed out. “I got the opportunity to plant the first pear tree right there at the entrance.”

He’s been here for the past eight months after he says his life took a difficult turn.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without [staff and volunteers at Clara White Mission],” he emphasized.

He says beyond a healthy meal option, this garden is also helping him build healthy relationships.

“I heard this before that we all came here on different ships, but now we’re here in the same boat,” he described.

Now Barnes is filled with optimism. A feeling which is rooted in knowing he’s part of a mission bigger than himself.

“I feel like that when I’m gone, those trees will still be here,” he reflected. “So, I’m real happy about that.”

Watch: New Town garden teaches life lessons

This is one of four local tree planting events taking place. Another one is happening at the White Harvest Farms (WHF), a 10.5-acre urban farm, on Jacksonville’s Northside.

The goal is to plant 200 trees total for those living in food deserts, and provide about 1,500 pounds of fresh fruit.

The farm also focuses on training and raising awareness about food insecurity. This is accomplished through the farm’s weekly farm stand that offers organic seasonal vegetables for sale. Customers with EBT/SNAP benefits can purchase the produce sold at the farm.

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WHF offers agricultural training programs like their beekeeping internship. It is designed to give minority groups and low-income people skills in agriculture and urban farming practices as well as access to land that will empower them to pursue careers in farming.