Local DoubleTree Expands Access to Free Fruit

It's an unusually warm November morning as Doubletree Biltmore employees pull on gloves and pick up shovels. The goal for the day, expand the Deaverview community orchard. Robert Foster Director of Operations for DoubleTree commented "Biltmore Farms Hotels and the Doubletree Biltmore team are proud to partner with Asheville GreenWorks to turn our Hilton Worldwide Action Grant in to a sustainable orchard for the Deaverview community in Asheville.  This project was a great example of coming together to better our City, and the orchard will continue to give back to the neighborhood for years to come." 

Through a grant applied for by our local DoubleTree Hotel, Asheville GreenWorks received $5,000 to grow our Food Tree Project. This project strives to install free fruit producing orchards to support food security throughout Buncombe County.

Distribution

Funding from this grant supported the following areas:
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• Planted twelve large Pear trees in the Deaverview Community Orchard
• Created a part time job for a resident of the Deaverview Apartments Community
• Planted six large Pawpaw trees in the Sand Hill Orchard
• Funded the development of Asheville GreenWorks new tree nursery in Candler

How does this work?

Creating community orchards is a costly endeavor. Trees, amendments, tools, equipment, design, permitting, staff time and a well thought out maintenance plan adds up quickly. The average orchard costs upwards of $5,000 to kick off. We seek funding from a wide range of sources to launch these projects. We rely on continuing sponsors such as the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville, our Member base and the City of Asheville to keep these places cared for. Consider sponsoring a tree for a loved one or becoming a volunteer to help us grow this project even further. 

Thanks to the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation Dept for supporting this recent expansion. John Gavin's team dug out the tree holes, removed excess dirt and moved the heavy root balls into position. ​We couldn't have done this without your help.