Foraging Wild Foods: From a Biophilic Metropolis to the Appalachian Wilderness

 

Foraging is a practice as old as time. The hunting and gathering lifestyle was the root of all human existence until 10,000 BC when crop domestication proliferated into agriculture. Until then, humankind relied on an intimate understanding of nature’s bounty for subsistence. Civilization has since abandoned the hunter-gatherer culture and evolved to remove most of the population from the intricacies of food production. Urban foraging is the modern take on humanity’s most primal tradition. Simply put, it involves harvesting wild vegetation in urban environments and using it as a source of food.

Daniel Woody is a North Carolina native with a longstanding love for foraging. At a young age, his grandfather and mother taught him the ways of foraging. As he grew older and wiser, he carried on the family trade, even practicing across the NC State University campus as a student. His weekly excursions and growing reputation laid the groundwork for his current venture, Wild Food Foragers.

 

Today, Daniel and Jean-Luc Duvall head the Wild Food Foragers Facebook page for aspiring foragers seeking out guided experiences in the Triangle. Daniel and his team organize excursions from the North Carolina coast all the way to the Appalachian mountains, with a special emphasis on the piedmont region.

Foraging is something everyone can do, but it requires a lot of patience and research. As Daniel puts it, “foraging is a whole new world when you first start, and you really need an education to practice responsibly.” Wild Food Foragers exists to pass on the techniques, knowledge, and etiquette of foraging. Thanks to individuals like Daniel and Jean-Luc, urban foraging has exploded in popularity.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, urban foraging garnered a massive amount of interest due to food insecurity concerns. Daniel remarks that over the past year an exponential number of people flocked to him anxious about the fragility of the food system and eager to explore the untapped potential of the cityscape. His team emerged as a conduit between the natural world and civilization by teaching Triangle locals what, where, and how to harvest, and equally important, ways to preserve and prepare unfamiliar plants. The impact of Daniel’s team is clear as day. He has witnessed enormous growth in confidence amongst locals who were panic-stricken nearly 6 months ago but now find themselves collecting all sorts of perennials, tubers, and fungi in their own backyard.

Despite its recent resurgence, the regulatory realm pertaining to foraging remains ambiguous across the country. Generally, pruning, picking, cutting, and removing plant vegetation is strictly prohibited on federal and state-owned lands, as well as city parks depending on the jurisdiction. Some municipalities have failed to take legislative action defining the limits of foraging, while others have long-standing anti-foraging laws rooted in colonialism and racism targeted toward indigenous populations. Today, tensions exist between dueling foraging policies; proponents of foraging seek to loosen restrictions and protect people’s interaction with the environment while others aim to protect and preserve the environment from humans.

The area encompassing modern-day Raleigh used to be covered in large swaths of farmland. Even though it has developed into a bustling metropolis over the past two centuries, the impact of agricultural practices remains rooted in the land, and its natural bounty makes it prime real estate for foragers. The area is rich in wild plants waiting to be picked, yet Daniel claims that he forages within the city with a “do at your own risk” mentality. In an effort to ease foraging restrictions in the greater Raleigh area, a member of Daniel’s organization has been diligently working with the local government to increase awareness about cultivating foodstuff in urban areas.

As foraging gains traction globally, it opens the door for urban designers, city planners, and town councils to design and implement policies increasing the presence of nature within the city. The creation of a biophilic city fosters an abundance of biodiversity and celebrates wildlife, making it uniquely harmonious with urban foraging. By promoting green spaces within an urban environment, it shifts “foraging from a recreational experience you seek periodically to a daily utilitarian activity,” remarks Daniel. Further incorporating biomimetic architecture in cityscapes will promote foraging experiences amongst the youth and teach them how to be good stewards of the Earth, “bringing back an aspect of life America has lost,” states Daniel.

Foraging is a lifelong pastime characterized by constant revelations and a never-ending education. According to Daniel, “you could spend the rest of your life foraging and find something new every single day.” While the utilitarian side of foraging tends to draw individuals in, the immersion into nature fulfills an innate human desire to feel connected with the Earth.

Foraging is a portal to a world of new foodways and sustainability, yet it must be done with caution. To minimize his ecological impact, Daniel abides by this motto, “forage with purpose, not for purpose.” Essentially, foraging is not for the faint of heart, but if you approach every venture with a plan, you will be rewarded for your due diligence.

Currently Daniel Woody is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail all along foraging for some of his food.  On April 10th, Daniel will be passing through Hot Springs, NC on his long through hike to Maine - join him at 3 PM via Facebook Live  to learn a few basics of foraging he is using on the trail, as well as some tips on how to practice foraging at home. Until then, follow Wild Food Foragers and Chasing 72 Degrees on Facebook for foraging updates from the Appalachian trail. 

 

Written by: Izzy Norman, Political Science, UNC Chapel Hill