Planting fruit trees for Guatemalan families

Dear friends,

As we at the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation wrap up our planting programs for the year (we’re still out there planting orchards in Florida as we speak!), we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support in 2024.

Thanks to your generosity, tens of thousands of trees were planted this year across multiple countries. From temperate to tropical regions, schools to food banks, and urban neighborhoods to rural farms, these trees are now rooted in the ground, ready to bring beauty and bounty to the communities they serve.

We’ll be sharing a more detailed update on 2024’s accomplishments in the coming weeks, but for now, we simply want to say thank you.

If you’re able, we’d also be deeply grateful for a donation to help us continue our work in Guatemala and beyond.

To a fruitful 2025,
The FTPF Team

Dear friend,

In an attempt to share more personal insights on what drives each of us here at FTPF to pursue our mission, we’ve asked our Program Manager Leanna to reflect on the experience of being onsite for our projects in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala this summer.

As the butterflies flit from baby tree to baby tree, seemingly kissing each one, it is clear that planting fruit trees in Central America is more than just a fun activity; it’s a deeply rewarding experience that intertwines with the region’s cultural fabric, economic aspirations, and environmental needs.

For many, the journey of planting fruit trees is an exploration of hope, resilience, and community spirit. For me, it’s all about connection – to the earth, to the communities, to animals, to all of it.

From the moment a fruit tree is planted, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation. In El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala – where the FTPF team just spent more than two weeks, planting fruit trees is akin to sowing the seeds of the future. The process for us starts with careful planning and a visit to local nurseries to select the right varieties. Whether it’s the vibrant mango, the creamy avocado, or the tangy lime, each tree represents a promise of growth and abundance.

This year we planted over 10,350 trees.

Each will require nurturing from our in-country project partners – SHARE Foundation, CONFRAS, ERIC, and Casa Guatemala – as the bond between the planter and the land deepens. As the trees mature and begin to bear fruit, the sense of accomplishment is profound. Harvesting is a time of celebration, marked by the tangible results of dedication to a different tomorrow. The harvest not only provides nourishment but also symbolizes the success of a journey that began with a single tree. We were lucky enough to visit some of the trees we planted in prior years that are already producing bountiful harvests, including a huge orchard in El Salvador that the community estimates in just two more years will feed folks outside their community as well. We also got to see many trees at Casa Guatemala all bearing delicious fruits. Those visits are some of my favorite parts of working with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation – eating a ripe fruit off a tree I planted simply can’t be beaten.

Planting for me is a rich tapestry woven from hope, hard work, and community support. It embodies the promise of growth, the joy of nurturing life, and the rewards of a well-tended land. I cannot wait to go back in future years and see the continued growth, and what it has done for the community and the world!