Foraging For Your Food Cuts Back On Spending And Carbon

Chelsea Green :

You already know that shopping at your local farmers market or CSA is a great way to reduce your food miles. And, if you take that one step further, growing your own food can eliminate shopping altogether. But what's the 'greenest' form of feeding yourself? How can you feed yourself with the smallest possible carbon footprint? Foraging, of course! Finding your food underfoot.

The following tips will help you begin finding food everywhere you go. Whether you live in the city, country, or 'burbs, it is possible to skip the greasy junk at the mall that's been flown in from the other side of the planet in favor of the free food in the park beside your apartment. (Just make sure you're not in the dog park...'cuz ew!)

Read the whole story: Chelsea Green

Comments

[Just4theHalibut]

I guess the thought of thousands of novice foragers trampling through what little wilderness is left, is depressing. Also, be careful where you forage; many national forests in Oregon and California have been invaded by pot-growing gangs who plant booby-traps and shoot to kill anyone who stumbles on their "plantations".

Yes, foraging is certainly fun, and a useful skill if you happen to get lost in the woods for a few days. But as a way to supplement your diet.....dig up your lawn and plant vegetables, instead; get rid of one car and put a chicken coop in that side of the garage.

[Vickster]

I've made flour from acorns and cattail pollen. Both add a nice flavor to bread. Purslane is also a tasty weed. I harvest it when weeding my garden. And May apple butter is delicious too.

[iPolitics]

yummy

[TrickleUp]

Eat Chemtrails!

[ddanimal]

Roadkill!

I want someone to set up roadkill.com, with realtime updates on where fresh, delicious roadkill can be found.

[frantaylor]

Good lord that was done years ago. www.roadkillcafe.com

You do know about google, don't you?

[KillTheMessenger]

Mushrooms are a great way to save money. Either you die or you are in dire need of a liver transplant after you pick the wrong ones. I believe those transplants cost a mere $250-500k. It's a steal compared to the $3 you would have needed to make some noodles with veggies on the side.

[skippyB]

That's right - and I'm sure you drove your car to and from your destination, while hours later the emergency vehicles drive you to the hospital where your new liver is delivered via helicopter.

[Scutting]

I like the idea of foraging, but picking wild mushrooms can be dangerous. Should have used a picture of a dandelion or something...

[hotseat]

How about looking through my neighbors refrig? They have great stuff. Does that count?

[serindipity803]

Good idea - we need to find out way BACK to NATURE...respecting it at every level. Eating with nature saves cruelty to animals too.

[Kiba]

Learning how to safely forage in the wilderness is a lot of fun, and a very useful skill. College ag centers and county extension offices can be helpful.