Fife foraging project launches online resource to encourage future foragers

LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support to communities for rural development, with grants awarded to projects that support the delivery of local development.

The free-to-access resources include specially commissioned videos and guides that enable people of all ages to participate in foraging and engage with nature.

Guides to foraging for wild food have now been made available, but also details how exploring nature in this way can improve mental and physical wellbeing.

The videos feature highlights from Fife, Moray, Forth Valley and Lomond, Lanarkshire, and Orkney.

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Further videos will be included that will show chefs cooking with wild ingredients as well as videos that allow viewers to explore the natural harvest on their doorstep.

The move comes after a series of successful events run as part of Foraging Fortnight in 2019 and 2020.

2019 saw a programme of over 100 events take place in Scotland that included coastal forages, nature-based wellness events, cookery demonstrations and a unique wild food festival in the Stirlingshire woods.

2020 saw Foraging Fortnight move online with its 50 events viewed more than 11,700 times in less than a month with people from all over the world taking part.

Douglas Johnston, chairman, Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER said: “LEADER has developed Foraging Fortnight over the last two years and we’ve seen unprecedented interest in foraging over this time.

"The project has shown that there’s a real appetite for activities that allow people to engage with nature. This has been particularly true in 2020 when exploring the natural environment on our doorsteps has become more important than ever before.

"Our calendar of events appealed not only to local communities but also drew interest from across the world.

"I’m delighted that the project will leave this legacy of resources that will continue to inspire and encourage people across Scotland to forage. Foraging is truly something that everyone can get involved in and these guides will encourage people to do this in a responsible way.”

For more information please visit: Foraging Fortnight

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