Family Foraging (Research)

Fun family foraging

Jacqui Sedman describes her experiences of foraging with her husband and three children, and the many benefits of picking wild food.

Interview: Dawn Francis Pester

“You don’t have to live out in the countryside, surrounded by gently rolling hills and acres of woodland, to forage. Although we are in Yorkshire, we are in a built-up area and our favourite bramble patch is next to the supermarket car park. We also forage in the local park, as well as the council office grounds, and hedgerows near my children’s school.

“My husband and I weren’t always such keen foragers, but after we had our first child, over 10 years ago, our pace of life slowed down a bit. Rather than rushing around arranging entertainment, we found ourselves outside more in nature, enjoying a simpler way of life. We also became more aware of healthy living and saving the planet for the next generation. Wild food is packed with nutrients, and much fresher than most of the fruit and vegetables you find in the shops. If you forage close to home there is no transport involved, and there’s no packaging to throw away.

“We started with just blackberry picking one summer when my children were tiny. Everyone loved the whole experience, from picking the dark berries to seeing the juice on their hands after eating. After that my son used to point at the bramble patch whenever we passed, but it was often the wrong time of year and he was disappointed when there was no fruit. I made it my mission to come up with other edible plants he could pick.

“We’ve gradually learnt more over the years. I have a couple of books at home about wild food, so if we see something interesting, we take some leaves or flowers home to check. Although we don’t eat entirely foraged meals, our local pickings provide many snacks, and interesting accompaniments. There are so many things to choose from. We like the fruit, including bilberries and cherries, and leaves, such as hawthorn and lime are popular in our family, too. My younger son is mad about beechnuts and there are certain years called ‘mast years’ when they are particularly ripe and tasty.”

In touch with nature

“Foraging gets us out in the fresh air, whatever the weather. Even on a grey, drizzly day, it’s something to look forward to, finding some berries or fresh shoots. Sometimes other people come up to us and ask questions or offer information. Elderly people like to reminisce about the plants they used to gather as children. The other day a lady picked a few plants to take to a friend in hospital.

“Picking wild food also helps us to mark the seasons. You become used to seeing different plants during different months. Early in the spring wild garlic is everywhere, nettles are fresh and young, and everything is springing back into life after the winter spell. Then you have the summer fruits, such as wild raspberries which we love, and later blackberries and plums.

“It’s a shame there’s so much ignorance about where our food comes from. Last year we picked the most delicious cherries from outside the entrance to my children’s school. No one else believed they were edible and other parents had told their children not to pick them. Later that year we noticed all the lower branches of the tree had been cut off. It seemed more than just pruning – as if it had been done deliberately to stop children picking them.”

Look and learn

“But you do have to be careful. Most plants are instantly recognisable, and the time of year something is growing is a big clue for identifying a plant. Personally, I don’t touch mushrooms as I don’t feel I know enough about them. Some types of wild carrot can be poisonous, too. There are also some plants that you can only eat at certain stages. For instance, young celandine leaves are tasty, but they are poisonous once the plant is older.

“Luckily, the worst that has happened to us is a few unexpectedly unpleasant tastes! On a few occasions my younger son has eagerly tasted something I’ve offered him, and then instantly spat it out. Once when we were on holiday in Spain my daughter and I were excited about picking fresh olives, but it was absolutely the worst thing we have ever tasted! They were just unbelievably bitter and disgusting. While I love fresh food, I have to say olives really seem to benefit from being marinated in oil or brine for a long time.

“I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t foraged before to have a go. Don’t lose out on the experience because you lack confidence. Go with a friend who knows what they are doing, or book yourself on to a course and ask lots of questions. It’s fun, natural and free, and a great activity to do as a family.”

http://www.vegetarianliving.co.uk/interviews.php?do=view&article=34    


Summary

The following article is a family experience of foraging with a lady her husband and there 3 children they explain that foraging can be done any where and that a countryside location is not necessary, Foraging can be done in local parks and hedgerows, they also explain that foraged food is much more healthier and packed with much more nutrients and by foraging they believe they are saving he plant for the next generation. This family started to get into foraging from when they went blackberry picking in the summer when their children were young. They go on to explain the benefits of foraging with it being a healthy daily activity they also find they have old people asking them what they are doing which then causes them to reminisce of there younger days when they used to forage. They also sate that you should only eat what you know is safe.