Foraging: Finding Food in the Wild

with Becca Griffith

Fiddlehead ferns, dandelions, mushrooms–these are just a few of the many foods that can be found in your own backyard (or in your neighborhood, perhaps) that are free for the taking and good for you! Our ancestors foraged for wild plants and mushrooms that were rich in nutrients, and we can, too! Becca Griffith, longtime food educator and foraging enthusiast, explains why wild foods are beneficial to our diet, how to go about finding them, and what precipitated Becca’s own involvement in the wild world of foraging. Learn how you can get started, too, from today’s engaging and “wild” conversation!

Notes:

Highlights from the conversation include:

how Becca discovered that the fiddlehead ferns in her backyard might be more than just weeds
some of the most common wild plants available for foraging
if it is possible to get most of your food from foraging
why we feel more comfortable with produce from the grocery store
foraging as a way of life for our ancestors
examples of good environments for foraging
how our preference for sweet-tasting food has affected the produce we grow today
how modern technology has helped spread knowledge of foraged plants
getting inspiration from foraging cookbooks
building a relationship with nature
how buying wild plants at the grocery store is a good entry point into foraging for many people
why foraged foods are more nutrient-dense and satisfying than their hybridized counterparts
foraging versus intentional growing of wild plants
the connection between hunting and foraging
how to stay out of trouble when foraging

Caution: Laws on foraging can vary “wildly” from state to state (& even within the cities of some states), so please check with your city and municipality to make sure you are complying with the law. Also, it’s important to note that every area should be respected to avoid over-harvesting.