Luxembourg has once again allowed free fruit picking

Surrounded by apple and pear trees in the small orchard "Mimmelsratt" in the municipality of Mamer, the fifth national campaign "Gielt Band - Hei dierft Dir plécken" was launched to the laughter of children and the rustling of leaves. The aim is simple but important: to allow and encourage the harvesting of fruit from public trees in order to reduce food waste and give value back to seasonal local produce.

These yellow ribbons, which the children from the local after-school group tied to the branches of the trees themselves, are not just a symbol, but a sign of trust. They indicate trees from which anyone can pick fruit for personal consumption free of charge. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Martine Hansen, the participation of children makes this initiative particularly valuable: "Today they learn to understand sustainable consumption, tomorrow they will protect and promote it.

The idea, launched in 2021, has been surprisingly "prolific": in five years, 71 communes, many NGOs, companies and individuals have joined the project. The trees become the source of hundreds of kilos of fruit, which are no longer left to rot under the branches. Instead, they are turned into jam, compote, juice or simply become part of the dinner.

Every autumn, the streets of Luxembourg are decorated with yellow ribbons. But behind this is not just practicality, but a whole philosophy: accessibility, respect for food and environmental responsibility. An interactive map is available at www.antigaspi.lu, where you can find the nearest trees participating in the campaign, as well as a "charter of behaviour" guaranteeing respectful treatment of nature and other pickers.