Tonnes of apples, pears, and other fruit rot on the ground in Luxembourg’s orchards each year – a significant waste amid rising supermarket prices for fresh produce. While collecting fruit from trees without permission constitutes theft (punishable by fines or even imprisonment in severe cases), a government initiative offers a legal solution.
Launched several years ago by the Ministry of Agriculture, the “Yellow Ribbon: Picking Allowed Here” project allows residents to harvest fruit marked with a yellow ribbon without seeking the owner’s consent. The programme aims to reduce food waste by putting unused fruit to practical purposes, such as baking or preserves.
Despite its straightforward approach – spot a ribbon, pick freely – awareness of the initiative remains limited.
The “Yellow Ribbon” programme extends beyond public orchards – private citizens can also participate by marking their trees with the provided ribbons. However, both tree owners and fruit pickers must adhere to specific guidelines.
For tree owners:
For fruit pickers:
Participants are encouraged to take only what they need to ensure fair access and prevent new waste. The Ministry of Agriculture provides an interactive map showing participating locations for planned picking excursions.
