Last week I assisted with the installation of Mulberry Park’s very own food forest – the first of its kind in South Carolina! The park will provide fresh fruits, nuts, and berries via a fruitful orchard free of charge for the local community. The food forest will be both community-led and driven. Upon receiving the neighborhood’s feedback, the Charleston Parks Conservancy has facilitated the project by providing the trees, supplies, and training necessary to produce an abundant orchard that will endure as a sustainable community resource.
The Conservancy aims to provide improved food access and affordable produce for those in the area struggling with food insecurity. This forest is also an opportunity to promote food sovereignty by giving people the land, resources and knowledge to grow their own food, as well as to educate the community about nutrition and healthy food choices and the benefits of spending time in nature for both improved physical and mental health.
It has been so much fun working with the Conservancy over these past few months on this park. I cannot wait to see the food forest take off!
