this is so cool.

not to mention the same blog over and over again, but the kitchn posted this a few days ago and, as i never have time to read my google reader on the weekends, i'm just seeing it now.

this website is in beta mode, so it's not all up-and-running yet, but it's called Neighborhood Fruit and what it does is list places in your community where there are fruit trees (or plants, or bushes, or whatever) growing in public areas--which means, free stuff! as i said, it's in the beginning stages, but here's a screencap of the record in san fransisco:



(oh, the 101. how i miss you.)

there's nothing listed in providence, yet--of course i checked--but what you do is, click on the link on the main page--the one furthest to the right--that says "public trees." a new page will load asking "where would you like to find trees?" enter your zip code, and the number of miles (or kilometers) you'd be willing to travel to find this, hit "apply," and if anybody has entered anything in your surrounding area, it'll pop up on the map below. you can also register local fruit trees on the same page!

neat, huh? i really hope this takes off. i don't know how often i'll find myself trekking to local parks to pick fruit, but it just sounds like such a great idea!