Anne Cutler

10:55 a.m. CST, January 27, 2012
NEW ORLEANS—

Megan Nuismer may have her master’s degree in public health, but these days barrels of citrus are the fruits of her labor.  "I was never meant for a business suit, so this is actually perfect!"

Nuismer founded a non-profit organization called the New Orleans Fruit Tree Project.  The concept is simple.  If you have an overabundant crop, her group will come out to harvest the fruit and donate it to those less fortunate.  "We say thank you, give them a receipt of donation and get in touch with them next year!"

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The idea isn't new, just new to New Orleans.  Nuismer learned about a similar group while living in Portland.  "I watched these people go and harvest year round and kinda got the idea when I moved back to New Orleans from living in Portland that I saw citrus trees and satsumas growing in Mid-City going to waste."

So, just how much fruit are we talking about?  One grapefruit tree, for example, can yield 300-400 pounds of fruit.  Grapefruit sells in the store for about $2 a pound.  Do the math and that's over $600 in fruit going to people in need.

That’s good news for food pantries like Second Harvest, where we watch Nuismer drop off more than 500 pounds of citrus.  It’s a big contribution toward better health for the needy and for all of New Orleans.  Nuismer says, "If we're doing a harvest and someone walks by, I don't care if they have on an Armani suit or they are homeless, take an orange, please!  It's gonna go to waste in someone's backyard anyways, so someone might enjoy it and get the health benefits from it."

Just as our fruit grows big and juicy on the tree, Nuismer is growing a network of homeowners and volunteers doing their part to build a better community.

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If you'd like to offer your fruit tree for harvest or volunteer for the New Orleans Fruit Tree Project, contact Megan Nuismer at nolafruit@gmail.com