Transforming the Forest City into the Food Forest City

Photography by Gabor Sass

By Gabor Sass, Sustainability Activator, Small Steps Studio

Did you know that London and its region was once a vibrant food forest? According to the latest scientific research, food forests reached from the southern Amazon in Brazil to the Maritimes in Canada. They were actively managed by indigenous peoples on vast scales using techniques such as periodic burning. Could London once again be overflowing with an abundance of fruits, nuts, culinary and medicinal herbs, and perennial vegetables grown within city limits (but without the periodic burning of course)?

I believe the time for seriously considering the concept of a Food Forest City has come, especially given food security and poverty concerns. But what would a modern Food Forest City look like?

First, the Food Forest City would have very high biodiversity. Food forest regulars are woody perennial species in shrub or tree form that either produce fruits or nuts. For starters, think raspberry, blackberry, service berry, elderberry, gooseberry, persimmon, paw-paw, wild plum, hazelnut, walnut, and chestnut. These are just some of the native species; we can add apples, pears, cherries and many more. Interspersed amongst these fruit and nut bearing plants are perennial flowers and herbs. Some planted to attract pollinators, others to repel pests, yet others to draw nutrients and water from deeper in the soil. And they all add plenty of carbon to the ground, especially compared to the grasses they would replace.

Second, the Food Forest City would look like a lush woodland, an edible forest garden if you like. Currently, green space in London, like in most other North American cities, is dominated by lawns, representing up to quarter of the total built-up area. The Food Forest City would see some of this space converted to food forests. There would be food forests throughout the city, from backyards to open spaces in neighbourhood and pocket parks as well as boulevards and road verges. Depending in the intensity of the plantings, London could satisfy up to 100 percent of its fruit and nut needs within city limits. No resident would have to walk too far before they could forage their favourite fruit or nut.

Lastly, the Food Forest City would be a place where people worked and celebrated together in the natural bounty of their urban food forests. Tending the food forests could employ a lot of people and use the volunteering help of many more. Working alongside the indigenous community to do this work could go a long way towards London’s efforts in reconciliation. Food Forests, especially those on public lands, would bring people together. I have seen the magic happen in my neighbourhood.

A Food Forest City, rich in biodiversity, covered by lush edible landscapes and inhabited by people who tend and celebrate their food forests, is not just a concept. The transformation has already started as food forests and edible landscapes are slowly spreading across the Forest City. Some of the most popular trees at Reforest London tree giveaways are fruit trees and shrubs. What’s needed is more education about the multiple benefits of food forestry, the involvement of our indigenous community, and a general commitment to local food security and food sovereignty by all Londoners. Are you ready to turn the Forest City back into the Food Forest City?