Unzip a banana, pick a plum or offer an orange ... stroll through Grey Lynn Park or Auckland Domain and your "5+ a day" diet could soon be at arm's reach.
Waitemata Local Board has received at least half a dozen submissions requesting fruit trees in local parks during consultation for its plan.
Jesse Chalmers, the board's environment champion, says the idea matches its principles around local food sources and is a "no-brainer".
The board has set aside $10,000 a year for the trees and it's hoped council officers will be responsible for their care. A planting day will be held, then residents and community groups will be in charge of harvesting fruit.
"Grey Lynn Park will go ahead shortly. Grey Lynn 2030 is on board and the soil has been tested and cleared of contamination."
Grey Lynn 2030 is a community organisation advocating a sustainable lifestyle in its suburb.
Chair Suzanne Kendrick says Auckland is blessed with a fruit-growing climate and it makes sense to capitalise on that. "We hope that children will delight in the understanding and value of fruit and where it comes from."
Ms Chalmers says the board is yet to speak to Grafton residents about the possibility of planting in a space known as the cow paddock at Auckland Domain.
"It's a very big area and has potential to become a community business."
Ms Kendrick says with the intensification of Auckland, growing fruit trees is especially relevant.
"They can become a backyard extension for people living in apartments, and homeless people can benefit as well."
A draft guideline costs each tree at $180-$200, but Ms Chalmers says she is looking for cheaper options. Grey Lynn residents will be consulted on which types of trees to plant and it's hoped they will be planted within the next three months.
Fruit trees are already grown in some parks. The NZ Fruit and Foodshare map lists trees and plants that are free to pick including olives, feijoas, lemons, grapefruit, mushrooms and more.
RIPE FOR THE PICKING
Fruit Trees for Auckland - a branch of the Mt Eden Transition Town group - set up a community-funded citrus trees planting project for schools and early childhood centres last year.
It aims to plant 1000 fruit trees this year. People can nominate a school or preschool to receive trees and suggest other sites for trees.
Those registered on fruittrees.org.nz will receive up to five trees and information packs.
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