Giving Grove

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History:
In 2011, our founders tired of emergency food distribution embarked on a year of study to identify an alternative approach to building food security.

The Giving Grove helps communities grow sustainable, free food through neighborhood orchards that provide fresh produce, environmental benefits, and lasting food security. Our mission is to provide healthy calories, strengthen community, and improve the urban environment through a nationwide network of sustainable little orchards to dramatically increase access to healthy food. We envision:

-thousands of little orchards in food insecure urban neighborhoods across the nation;
-a system of local food production that feeds people for decades;
-a national network of neighborhood stewards trained in holistic methods for growing fruit; and
-urban neighborhoods transformed by their own work and generosity. They crafted a simple approach designed to make a big impact in neighborhoods that have the least access to healthy food. The “little orchard” concept was unveiled in 2012 as a program of Kansas City Community Gardens enabling us to share resources, jumpstart production and tap into an existing network. Having demonstrated successful orcharding locally, The Giving Grove became a separate charitable organization and piloted expansion regionally in 2017. The Giving Grove now has five affiliate cities and plans expansion into 15 more.

11/02/2026

🌳 Amazing news out of Pittsburgh! A public orchard is taking root in Highland Park and with it, bringing fresh fruit, community connection, and a harvest that belongs to everyone.

We're proud to be part of this exciting project alongside Tree Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh. This is what growing stronger, healthier communities looks like! 💪

Check out the full article: https://www.publicsource.org/highland-park-public-orchard/

10/30/2026

What’s next for The Giving Grove?

We’re so glad you asked. Because we’re dreaming BIG.

More than 1 million people now live within walking distance of a Giving Grove orchard. That’s a milestone we’re incredibly proud of, but it’s also just the beginning.

For too long, community orchards and urban green spaces have been treated as nice to have. Something extra. Something that gets considered after a neighborhood’s other needs have been met.

We think it’s time to change that conversation.

When a small patch of land can provide fresh, nutritious food, cool city streets, absorb stormwater, support biodiversity, and bring neighbors together, why aren’t we thinking of these spaces as essential community infrastructure?

Not a luxury. Not an afterthought. A necessity.

That’s the future we’re working toward. One where growing food in our neighborhoods is as natural as building sidewalks, playgrounds, and parks. Where communities have the resources and support to turn underused land into places that nourish people and the planet.

And where the people who live in those neighborhoods are leading the way.

🍎 Our next chapter isn’t just about planting more orchards. It’s about changing how we think about the spaces our communities need to thrive.

From nice to have to need to have.

Who’s ready to grow with us? 💚

10/28/2026

Oh, we’ve got something MONSTROUS brewing! ⚡🌳🧟

What happens when The Giving Grove, Kansas City PBS, and Frankenstein walk into an orchard?

You’ll have to wait and see. 👀

Stay tuned. We’re about to bring something to life! ⚡💚

(Don't worry! Steward Ken of the Mitzvah Garden KC was not harmed in the making of this film.)

10/27/2026

How does a LITTLE orchard make a BIG difference?

Turns out, those little orchards are doing some pretty heavy lifting!

Sure, they grow fresh fruit. But that’s just the beginning.

🍎 They nourish neighbors. A single orchard can produce thousands of pounds of fresh food over its lifetime, making nutritious fruit more accessible to the people who live nearby.

🐝 They give nature a home. Fruit trees and surrounding plants provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, bringing biodiversity into our neighborhoods.

🌎 They make our cities greener. Trees provide shade, absorb stormwater, store carbon, and help cool the places we call home.

💚 They bring people together. Orchards create shared spaces where neighbors meet, friendships grow, and communities work toward something bigger than themselves.

And perhaps our favorite part? These benefits keep growing year after year.

Across 17 cities, hundreds of little orchards are making a pretty big impact.

Turns out, you don’t need a lot of land to grow a lot of good.

Stick around. We’re just getting started. 🌱

10/26/2026

Meet Carey Thornton of Tilth Alliance! 🤝🌳

In this month’s “5 Questions,” Carey shares her favorite garden discoveries, the everyday habits that keep her connected to nature, and much more.

Click through and get to know the garden guru! 👉

10/24/2026

We’re excited to share that we’re featured in Target Circle™! 💚

You can support our work by voting for The Giving Grove in the Target app. Every vote helps direct Target funds toward growing stronger, healthier communities. Vote now through December 31!

Here’s how to vote: 👇
Step 1: Choose “My Target” in the Target app, or visit https://www.target.com/circle/community-voting in your browser
Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
Step 3: Find The Giving Grove & vote

(Not in Kansas City- not a problem! Just change your preferred store to one in Kansas City. The Giving Grove will show up as an option for votes!)

10/22/2026

Could MY neighborhood have an orchard?

We sure hope so! 💚

Here’s something you should know about The Giving Grove: We don’t decide where communities need orchards. Communities tell us where they WANT them.

It might start with a neighbor looking at a vacant lot and imagining something better. A teacher dreaming of an outdoor classroom. Or a group of friends wondering what would happen if they planted a few fruit trees in a shared space.

That’s how big things begin. With someone asking, “What if?”

Through our network of local nonprofit partners, we help communities turn those ideas into thriving orchards by providing the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to grow fruit trees that will nourish neighborhoods for generations.

And while we’re currently working in 17 cities, we believe every community deserves access to fresh food and green spaces.

🍎 So here’s our question for you: Where would YOU love to see a community orchard?

Tell us your city in the comments! 👇

10/21/2026

The average Giving Grove orchard is 16 trees, but we can have one as small as 3 trees or as large as 50! Because of the flexibility in size, we can fit orchards in some unusual places. Learn about three of those spaces in this fun video made with Kansas City PBS.

10/21/2026

Two million-number milestones worth celebrating! 🎉🌳

We’re so grateful to be part of the 1% for the Planet network, where businesses are putting their commitments into action and helping community orchards flourish across the country. The partnerships built through this network represent a lot of good taking root!

10/20/2026

But who takes care of all these trees?

We’re so glad you asked!

Here’s something you might not know about The Giving Grove: We don’t just show up in a neighborhood, plant some fruit trees, and hope for the best.

Every Giving Grove orchard starts with a community that wants one. And behind every orchard is a team of neighbors, volunteers, and dedicated orchard stewards who roll up their sleeves to make it thrive.

They plant. They prune. They water. They w**d. They harvest. And then they do it all again next season. 💚

Our network of local nonprofit partners provides the training, tools, and ongoing support to help these community leaders succeed.

Because growing fruit is one thing. Growing a community of people who care for each other and the places they share? That’s where the real magic happens.

🍎 The trees may produce the fruit, but the people make it possible.

Stick around. There’s a lot more growing here than apples.

Address

300 East 39th Street
Kansas City, MO
64111

Telephone

+18162266380

Website

http://givinggrove.org/

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