San Antonio Parks Recreation And San Antonio Food Bank Partner To Support Food Security Efforts With Trees And Produce

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

CONTACT: Connie Swann, 210-207-6122
Connie.Swann@sanantonio.gov

SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 2, 2022) – San Antonio Parks and Recreation and San Antonio Food Bank are partnering to support food security efforts at the upcoming Jammin’ Jams fruit and nut tree adoption events happening on March 5 at Texas A&M University-SA and on March 26 at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex. In addition to taking home a free fruit or nut tree, tree adoption participants will have the opportunity to take home a produce bag provided by the San Antonio Food Bank.

“Tree adoption events are designed to promote food security and enhance canopy coverage while diversifying and beautifying our community,” said Homer Garcia III, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We’re excited to partner with the San Antonio Food Bank to offer produce bags during Jammin’ Jams. It’s a perfect complement to our combined food security outreach efforts.” San Antonio Parks and Recreation recently provided a variety of 59 fruit and nut trees to the Padre Park Community Food Forest initiative.

“We love our parks and this opportunity to partner around the tree give away is perfect as we turn toward Spring. Adding on fresh produce for families feeling the pinch at the grocery store is just the right thing to do,” said Eric S. Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

Six hundred (600) fruit and nut trees will be available at each event. One tree will be available per car for drive-thru events. The events are from 8 a.m. until Noon or while supplies last. A variety of fruit and nut tree species will be available for adoption at each event. Quantities are limited and are first come, first serve. Produce bags will be available to tree adoption participants and are optional.

Two Jammin’ Jams tree adoption events remain for the season:

• March 5 – Texas A&M University-SA (One University Way/Parking Lot B) – Drive-Thru*
• March 26 – Wheatley Heights Sports Complex (200 Noblewood Dr) – Drive-Thru*
  *For traffic safety, drive-thru events cannot accommodate walk-ups.

Recently completed Jammin’ Jam tree adoptions, a drive-thru and a walk-up event, provided a total of 1200 fruit and nut trees to the community. These events were at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium and Monterrey Park.

Health & Safety Protocols
For drive-thru events, participants will remain inside their cars and are encouraged to wear a mask when interacting with staff and volunteers.

For tree species and other event details, please visit saparksandrec.com. All trees are provided by the Parks and Recreation Department through the Tree Canopy Preservation & Mitigation Fund.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.