Boston’s Food Forests Take Root as a Climate Equity Strategy

“Edible forests” are popping up in Boston. Scattered across the city, once-empty lots have been overtaken by fruit trees and berry-filled bushes. Open to the public, they are forage-friendly pockets in the urban grid.

The rise of urban food forests in Boston can be attributed to the decade-long work of the nonprofit Boston Food Forest Coalition , also known as the BFFC. The group’s mission is to enhance low- and middle-income neighborhoods lacking green spaces. Over 10 years, the coalition has built more than a dozen food forests and caught the attention of city planners.

“When we first got started we were dumpster diving for cardboard and other materials to help with soil remediation and beautification of abandoned lots,” said Orion Kriegman, BFFC’s founder and executive director.

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