Orange grove gleAning

Creating a link to our agrarian past was the idea behind a one-acre orange grove planted in 1975 at Hart Park in Orange (Located in the southwest corner of Hart Park on the east side of the grove, 701 S. Glassell Street ). The grove was the project of longtime City of Orange Mayor Robert D. Hoyt, who grew up amid the orange blossoms and packinghouses of the city and wanted a way to memorialize the passing era. Hoyt  was the first directly elected Mayor in our City who served from 1976-1980. 

When the trees (approximately 50 trees) are blossoming, the scent goes for miles. Because the grove is planted with several different species of oranges, tangerines and lemons, the fruit becomes ripe several times during the year. The City of Orange and Orange Home Grown Foundation partner together to support the clean-up and maintenance of this historic grove, along with the harvesting of the fruit.  Easily 10,000+ pounds of citrus are harvested each year by dedicated volunteers and donated to local organizations like Abound Food Care (formerly known as Waste Not OC) who help distribute the fruit to those in need throughout Orange and surrounding cities.

Reducing food waste and preserving our agricultural history are priorities for our grass-roots organization.