I hear there's an orchard outside the 1313 Columbia Building that will yield edible foods-is that true?

Fruit orchard at 1313

Q:  I hear there's an orchard outside the 1313 Columbia Building that will yield edible foods-is that true?

A:  Yes! Writes Janice Murphy of Grounds:

"Located on the east side of the Columbia Building along 14^th Ave., the orchard includes apple trees, pear trees, hazelnut trees, as well as blueberry and currant plants. Our intention is to establish many of these trees and shrubs now in order to ensure that the plants will produce food well into the future. Our hope is to engage the neighborhood in the harvest and eventually distribute food to those in need in our community.

Our program is modeled on the community organizations of City Fruit, based in Seattle, and Portland Fruit Tree Project in Portland, Ore. Further inspiration is from City of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's 2010: Year of Urban Agriculture initiative.

If you spot a blueberry or apple as you walk across campus our gardeners want you to eat it-that's why they planted it! You'll find blueberries along the chapel's east wall and apple trees in front of the Fine Arts building. The new orchard was planted at the edge of campus so that our neighbors could also grab a snack."