4 replies to this topic

[mariaandrea]

7 acres in a Seattle neighborhood are going to be a food forest, thanks to the dedicated work of community groups. They will break ground this summer (2012). What is a food forest?

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Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guava, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.

This will be a public park, open to anyone.

Quote

The concept of a food forest certainly pushes the envelope on urban agriculture and is grounded in the concept of permaculture, which means it will be perennial and self-sustaining, like a forest is in the wild... "The concept means we consider the soils, companion plants, insects, bugs—everything will be mutually beneficial to each other."

This is amazing and I hope more start to pop up in urban centers all over the country. They think it's the first of its kind. And of course, they've considered the fact that someone may come and get greedy, but that's one of the hazards. Read more about how this came about:

http://www.takepart....rst-food-forest

[Sandra Piddock]

This sounds a great idea, and as you say, it would be really great if it caught on. One aspect is that it may encourage people who don't normally eat much fruit and vegetables - maybe because they can't afford them - to eat more. Also, it's good for city kids to see stuff growing and find out where the food on their table comes from.

[E3 wise]

I think this is a great example of taking green space and making it even better.  Don't you wish this could catch on everywhere, community gardens and fruit trees reconnect people to their food and keep resources and money local while giving people a chance to unplug and connect to one another.  Nice post, of course it make sence that the city that recycles the most in this country would also greenovate ideas like this.

[ACSAPA]

An urban food forest is a great idea. It's too bad cool things like this only happen in places like Seattle and Portland. We never get cool stuff like this in South Florida. Hopefully no one will go to the food forest and pick everything to sell for profit. That would be evil.

[Hardison]

I like the idea of an urban food forest. I would love to have something like this in Los Angeles, but it's not likely. The photo above is really beautiful.