ints:wild_food

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ints:wild_food [2025/12/01 19:17] – external edit 127.0.0.1ints:wild_food [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 Wild food was once necessary for human survival, but now most traditional knowledge of wild food has been lost. In recent years there has been a widespread revival in foraging, and you can now do [courses](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/wild-food/directory/courses) all over the UK from the wilds of Scotland to urban centres like London. Wild food was once necessary for human survival, but now most traditional knowledge of wild food has been lost. In recent years there has been a widespread revival in foraging, and you can now do [courses](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/wild-food/directory/courses) all over the UK from the wilds of Scotland to urban centres like London.
  
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 Many of the plant species that we view as weeds are edible and nutritious - modern farming favours foods that have been cultivated from their wild ancestors. We clear away ‘weeds’ to grow crops, yet many wild plants are more nutritious than their cultivated counterparts. For example the edible wild plant 'fat hen' contains more iron and protein than spinach, and more vitamin B and calcium than cabbage. As with many other wild foods it can also be cooked in the same way as the vegetables we regularly eat. Wild food plants and fungi form a part of the rich diversity of species that is vital to the functioning of ecosystems. Many of these species are being lost due to habitat destruction and pollution. Collecting wild food is much more popular in continental Europe. In one region of Finland 68% of households pick wild fungi for consumption - unimaginable here in Britain. Many of the plant species that we view as weeds are edible and nutritious - modern farming favours foods that have been cultivated from their wild ancestors. We clear away ‘weeds’ to grow crops, yet many wild plants are more nutritious than their cultivated counterparts. For example the edible wild plant 'fat hen' contains more iron and protein than spinach, and more vitamin B and calcium than cabbage. As with many other wild foods it can also be cooked in the same way as the vegetables we regularly eat. Wild food plants and fungi form a part of the rich diversity of species that is vital to the functioning of ecosystems. Many of these species are being lost due to habitat destruction and pollution. Collecting wild food is much more popular in continental Europe. In one region of Finland 68% of households pick wild fungi for consumption - unimaginable here in Britain.
  
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 Eating a range of different species maintains biodiversity - the opposite of our intensive farming system, where we grow crops in monocultures, with damaging effects for the environment. Target species are favoured over wild species, and are grown intensively using pesticides, which can have detrimental effects on wildlife. Many of the wild animals that can be eaten are pests that have to be controlled and are often wasted. Eating a range of different species maintains biodiversity - the opposite of our intensive farming system, where we grow crops in monocultures, with damaging effects for the environment. Target species are favoured over wild species, and are grown intensively using pesticides, which can have detrimental effects on wildlife. Many of the wild animals that can be eaten are pests that have to be controlled and are often wasted.
  
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 Consuming wild food can instill a greater respect for the environment, reconnecting us to the origins of our food, and illustrating our dependency on nature for survival. It also highlights the importance of seasonality and offers an alternative to our current globalised food system, where we can buy anything at any time of year. Consuming wild food can instill a greater respect for the environment, reconnecting us to the origins of our food, and illustrating our dependency on nature for survival. It also highlights the importance of seasonality and offers an alternative to our current globalised food system, where we can buy anything at any time of year.
  
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 Plus it's free! Plus it's free!
  
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 Learning from someone who knows about wild food is a great start - a mentor or course provider. Being shown the plants in their natural habitat is really helpful when wanting to find and identify them later. Learning from someone who knows about wild food is a great start - a mentor or course provider. Being shown the plants in their natural habitat is really helpful when wanting to find and identify them later.
  
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 - If you are foraging water plants, always cook them - the risk of Liver Fluke and other water-borne illnesses is high in the UK. - If you are foraging water plants, always cook them - the risk of Liver Fluke and other water-borne illnesses is high in the UK.
  
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 - Be aware of where you're treading - be careful of damaging other plants as you reach for the juiciest blackberries! Try to damage the plant you're picking from as little as possible. - Be aware of where you're treading - be careful of damaging other plants as you reach for the juiciest blackberries! Try to damage the plant you're picking from as little as possible.
  
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 If you're a beginner, try picking obvious species that you are already familiar with - for example nettles or dandelions. Just as importantly, familiarise yourself with the poisonous plants in your area too. Never eat any species that you are unsure of. Remember that many species are poisonous and some must be cooked to remove toxins. If you're a beginner, try picking obvious species that you are already familiar with - for example nettles or dandelions. Just as importantly, familiarise yourself with the poisonous plants in your area too. Never eat any species that you are unsure of. Remember that many species are poisonous and some must be cooked to remove toxins.
  
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 _Date on Lowimpact:2014-05-12_ _Date on Lowimpact:2014-05-12_
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