Is Foraging Sustainable?
The most common question we get asked is “how are you sure foraging is sustainable?” Foraging in a sustainable way is a priority for us. After all, we depend on these plants for our business. Every time we go out collecting, we use practices that ensure the survival of the plants we harvest for years to come.
Certainly it’s possible to forage in a sustainable way.
My question is this: When I look at – first, the number of people living in the Bay Area, and second, the amount of land that is not covered by buildings, streets, etc – I don’t see how foraging can be more than a ‘niche market’ – how many people can eat from this limited supply?
I think what’s important to think about is that we are not advocating people getting 100% of their nutrients from wild food. We see it more as an addition to purchasing from local farms etc. A way to make people aware of their environment, and the real value that it holds.