A new initiative has started in Barcelona, aiming to change how residents perceive city resources and social responsibility. At its heart are the bitter oranges that used to rot on the sidewalks. Now, schoolchildren collect them to give the fruit new life and support those most in need.
On Friday morning, as the sun broke through the clouds after days of rain, 60 students from Institut Verdaguer gathered in Parc de la Ciutadella. Their mission: collect as many bitter oranges as possible, which will later become the base for marmalade. This event is part of a city program that brings together schools, charities, and the municipality.
City and children
The orange collection isn’t just happening in the city center. Similar events will take place over several days in Ciutat Vella, Les Corts, Eixample, Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Sant Martí, Sant Andreu, and for the first time, Sarrià – Sant Gervasi. Everyone is welcome to join, not just students. Each collected crate weighs about 20 kilos, and within an hour, the trees begin to look noticeably barer.
Before starting, organizers explain how to use special hooks correctly to avoid damaging the fruit. Children are advised to set aside personal belongings and carefully follow instructions. Despite jokes about the oranges’ taste, most participants dive into the process with enthusiasm. For many, this is their first experience with a city project where the results are immediately visible.
A second life for fruit
The harvested oranges are not sent to store shelves. Instead, they are delivered to the EsImperfect workshop, where people facing difficult life situations receive training and employment. Here, the fruit is turned into jams, pâtés, and other products, which are then distributed to community kitchens and charitable organizations.
The project not only supports vulnerable groups, but also addresses several urban challenges at once. Streets become cleaner, residents’ complaints about rotting fruit disappear, and most importantly — the amount of food waste is reduced. According to experts, such initiatives foster a new attitude towards food and the environment among both children and adults.
Community involvement
The idea belongs to the Mans al Verd program, overseen by the municipal department of parks and gardens. Through an open competition, schools and non-profit organizations joined the project. Park officials emphasize: city trees are a shared asset, and every resident can contribute to their preservation and sustainable use.
Despite a modest information campaign, there are always many volunteers. Sometimes groups reach up to 70 people. Organizers note that actions like these not only address everyday issues, but also serve as a platform for environmental and social education. Children learn to value food, understand the importance of joint efforts, and see the results of their work.
Ecology and education
Barcelona is home to around 3,300 orange trees, accounting for about 1.5% of all the city’s greenery. They are especially abundant in the Sant Andreu district, where the project began back in 2021. If the fruit is not harvested, it simply falls to the ground and spoils in winter. Turning oranges into marmalade not only reduces waste but also creates jobs for those in difficult situations.
The program also includes educational workshops. In schools, children learn about the value of food, the importance of caring for nature, and the idea of collective responsibility. Organizers believe that the earlier environmental awareness develops, the better the chance the city will become cleaner and more welcoming for everyone.
In recent years, projects to collect and process urban fruit have become popular in Spain and other European countries. Madrid and Seville have also launched initiatives where volunteers and schoolchildren gather fruit from the streets to use in making jams and juices. In some cities, similar programs are now part of educational courses, and their products go to local charities. These projects not only solve the issue of waste disposal but also help city residents see urban spaces and resources in a new light.
