What is a Food Forest?

Food forests have been used to grow food by many indigenous cultures around the world for hundreds of years or more, and are still used today.

A food forest is similar to a garden, except that it is designed to resemble a forest ecosystem in which animals, plants, fungi, and soil work together. This means different types of perennials (trees, shrubs, herbs, and flowers) are planted together to perform different functions such as help fertilize the soil, attract pollinators, offer shade, repel pests, etc.

In a food forest, most of the plants are perennial and many are native to the region. They are planted in diverse layers and guilds, rather than rows.

Why Grow a Food Forest?

Learn: The food forest has connections to every aspect of the school curriculum, from science and math to arts and physical education. Bluenose Academy staff and teachers will incorporate the planning and maintenance of the food forest into classes for all grades. 

Grow: Once mature, the food forest will provide food for Bluenose students and Lunenburg community members. The forest will also help feed and provide habitat for beneficial wildlife, including insects and birds. 

Preserve: Growing our own food cuts down on transportation and packaging of imported or store-bought food. Plants in a food forest generally do not need fertilizers or pesticides. Learning how to grow food in collaboration with nature helps teach understanding of—and respect for—the natural world. 

Connect: Bringing people together to build a food forest and share food is a great way to get to know each other, share our cultural perspectives and many different experiences and abilities.

Want to know more?

Read about forest gardens of the Ts’msyen and Coast Salish.

Learn more about the science of food forests.

Learn about Indigenous food forests and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

See the food forest at Port Elgin school in New Brunswick.