Eating is something that most people do three or more times per day, and it is necessary for survival. A lot of emphasis is put on food in today's society, but it is only recently that the emphasis has been put on how that food is gathered. It could have been bought at the grocery store, get it from your own backyard garden, or perhaps a farmer's market. There is another alternative though. You can join the forage California movement to get food for free.
Foraging out in the wild is the most popular way to participate in this movement. Even if you live in a big metropolis, it is usually only a short drive to get to a more rural, wooded area where there is generally an abundance of wild food available for the picking. Mushrooms and greens are especially popular when going out into the forest to try and find something to eat.
There is also a growing part of this movement that focuses on what is called urban foraging. This means going to public spaces and abandoned lots to find food. Lots of areas within city limits, even bigger cities, have trees, bushes and vines that have been all but abandoned yet still thrive due to rainfall. Things like citrus fruits, figs, herbs and other produce can easily be found in some places.
In coastal areas, foragers are going for far more than just fruits and veggies to get free food. In bay areas, scallops and especially pricey abalones can be found and harvested, giving the lucky harvesters a real, free surf and turf experience. Of course, this can still be dangerous if you are not experienced, so this is not something anyone should be doing without experience.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
If you do not have time to forage but still want to experience a piece of this growing movement, you can always eat at a restaurant that specializes in using foraged ingredients. A growing number of eateries have a menu that is at least partially, and in some cases fully, dependent upon wild foods that grow locally.
Before you embark on your new culinary adventure, be sure that you are doing so in a responsible manner. Do not overstrip areas or harvest more than you need, as people doing this has lead to rules and regulations in some areas. This is a fun and bountiful pursuit if you are responsible and know what to look for.
Foraging out in the wild is the most popular way to participate in this movement. Even if you live in a big metropolis, it is usually only a short drive to get to a more rural, wooded area where there is generally an abundance of wild food available for the picking. Mushrooms and greens are especially popular when going out into the forest to try and find something to eat.
There is also a growing part of this movement that focuses on what is called urban foraging. This means going to public spaces and abandoned lots to find food. Lots of areas within city limits, even bigger cities, have trees, bushes and vines that have been all but abandoned yet still thrive due to rainfall. Things like citrus fruits, figs, herbs and other produce can easily be found in some places.
In coastal areas, foragers are going for far more than just fruits and veggies to get free food. In bay areas, scallops and especially pricey abalones can be found and harvested, giving the lucky harvesters a real, free surf and turf experience. Of course, this can still be dangerous if you are not experienced, so this is not something anyone should be doing without experience.
If you just drive to the nearest forest and try to find edibles without knowing what you are looking for, you could end up in trouble. Not every wild plant you find will be tasty. In some cases, not only do they taste bad, but they may even be dangerous if ingested. It is good to go out on your first trip armed with knowledge, so consider taking a class that many local foragers offer in order to not only grow the movement, but to keep people safe from potentially harmful plants.
Another alternative to classes is a guided tour. Think of this as learning on the job. You get to pick things to eat later while ensuring that they are not only edible, but delicious as well. You will learn how to avoid things that are dangerous and only get the best of the best.
If you do not have time to forage but still want to experience a piece of this growing movement, you can always eat at a restaurant that specializes in using foraged ingredients. A growing number of eateries have a menu that is at least partially, and in some cases fully, dependent upon wild foods that grow locally.
Before you embark on your new culinary adventure, be sure that you are doing so in a responsible manner. Do not overstrip areas or harvest more than you need, as people doing this has lead to rules and regulations in some areas. This is a fun and bountiful pursuit if you are responsible and know what to look for.
About the Author:
To preserve and restore native grasses, consider learning more about forage California. Here is the blog that explains more on this topic at http://livingwild.org.
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