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.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
There are people who have been doing this for quite a long time, and some of these pioneers want to expand the movement. They may offer classes that you can take to learn how to forage properly. If you wish to try foraging but have no experience, then it is a really good idea to take one of these classes. There are lots of things growing wild that are not necessarily good for you, and can even be poisonous if eaten. Avoid these problems by getting informed through classes.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
Foraging is not just something you can do, but it is something you can eat as well in local restaurants. A growing number of restaurant owners are changing up their menus to reflect local and seasonal produce, some or all of which is foraged.
As you prepare to go out into the wild and pick your food, there are a couple of points to remember. You should only take what you need to leave some for others. Do not over harvest an area. Laws have had to be enacted in some places to prevent this from happening. Keep it fair that way everyone can enjoy.
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.
California is home to a very long coastline, and this close proximity to the water makes it easy to forage for proteins that other areas just can't provide. Some people love to get a pole and fish, but many foragers prefer diving to get bay scallops or even the delicacy abalone to give themselves a delicious and nutritious treat. Just make sure you take an experienced guide with you if you've never done this before.
There are people who have been doing this for quite a long time, and some of these pioneers want to expand the movement. They may offer classes that you can take to learn how to forage properly. If you wish to try foraging but have no experience, then it is a really good idea to take one of these classes. There are lots of things growing wild that are not necessarily good for you, and can even be poisonous if eaten. Avoid these problems by getting informed through classes.
Besides classes, some places offer guided tours. There are even weekend expeditions to not only find wild food, but learn to clean and cook it as well. In fact, in some California cities, there are shared kitchens and even cooking classes available that focus on foraged ingredients.
Foraging is not just something you can do, but it is something you can eat as well in local restaurants. A growing number of restaurant owners are changing up their menus to reflect local and seasonal produce, some or all of which is foraged.
As you prepare to go out into the wild and pick your food, there are a couple of points to remember. You should only take what you need to leave some for others. Do not over harvest an area. Laws have had to be enacted in some places to prevent this from happening. Keep it fair that way everyone can enjoy.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment