Why foraging

[Pinkstone]

Hi guys funny question this
Im writing a paper on the popularity of foraging and wanted to know the many reasons why people forage.
So why do people forage.
Thanks all

 

[Graham_S]

Free food.
The thrill of discovery.
Have I mentioned it's free?

 

[Harvestman]

Flavours that you just can't buy, unless you know a shop that sells ramsons, woodruff, comfrey, yellow archangel, parasol mushrooms, bilberries, squirrel, and so forth...

 

[JonathanD]

The most natural and fresh produce as you can get.

 

[Toddy]

Makes the seasons real in our very artificial modern world

There's an anticipation and delight in the foragings at every time of the year. They engage all of our senses; sight, smell, taste, touch and while out there are the sounds of the weather, the trees, grasses, and the wildlife too.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Harvestman]

Two more reasons from me. When I forage I'm making my own choices about what i come home with, rather than choosing from a pre-selected list, such as whatever tesco have chosen to stock that week. I like that freedom. Secondly, there's a really enjoyable element of surprise and delight at finding something good - sort of a "Look what I found!" sensation. You almost never get that when shopping.

 

[Ian S]

Free, genuinely seasonal food with the joy of finding something new/rare.

Learning about different foodstuff available through the year.

Cheers

 

[kINGPIN]

Apart from what has already mentioned, I like the thought of getting nutrients and vitamins which may not be available in the foods we buy from the supermarkets.

 

[_scorpio_]

foraging makes up quite a bit of the fruit and veg i eat because i have found it myself therefore i want to eat it.
also, once i know what things i like the taste of, i try to grow them in my garden too, so foraging can be as convenient as the fridge

 

[Ogri the trog]

All of the above plus the connection with activities that my parents/grand parents/ great grand parents - on way on backwards into prehistory did!

Ogri the trog

 

[jackcbr]

An extension of being outdoors. Added bonus to a walk and something tasty for free. A link to our ancestors.

 

[boisdevie]

Free
Interesting
Makes you know where food comes from

 

[Runestone]

Its also keeping alive a skill that would soon be forgotten if no-one did it (that connection with history thing again). Too many people are content to rely on the supermarket and have no knowledge of the choices they have outside.

Chris

 

[John Fenna]

The things you find are fresh, interesting , tasty, free.
The act of foraging adds excitement to any walk, puts you in direct contact with the seasons, the "living planet", keeps a skill alive that dates back to prehistory...
And I hate shopping in global supermarkets!

 

[Siberianfury]

feeling more connected with nature and its all free

 

[DutchWalker]

The main thing I forage are nuts.

Mainly chestnuts and walnuts but also the occasional acorn. I give them to my dad who makes salad dressings and oils/flavoured vinegar from them. Other than this and the occasional fruit I do not forage much.

The main reason for using these are the freshness, the flavour is so much better compared to the supermarket dressing.

 

[twisted firestarter]

Apart from the fantastic taste of many wild plants I also practice foraging as a survival skill


.

 

[Corso]

incase one day I need to do it for real

 

[mountainm]

It's like collecting but without the long term storage issues....

 

[yomperalex]

• it's free food;
• you can get stuff that you just don't really find in the shops;
• it's seasonal food in the truest sense;
• it just makes me feel a bit more connected with nature;
• a great way to learn about nature;
• excellent addition to a walk/camp;
• practice for survival conditions;

Really, nothing feels quite a good as arriving back with a sack of goodies or a basket of mushrooms.

Alex