Food Forests

Food forests are multi-layered public orchards that place free food at the centre of communities. Typically, a food forest might have seven layers of different types of plant, these include

1. Canopy trees, such as apple and other large fruit trees
2. Sub-canopy trees, for example dwarf fruit trees
3. Shrubs, like raspberries and blackberries
4. Herbaceous plants, including rhubarb
5. Ground cover, for example strawberries
6. Root crops, possibly Jerusalem artichoke
7. Climbing plants throughout the other layers, like kiwi berries

 Food forests are important, particularly given the lack of food security and self-sufficiency in the UK. For example we only produce 60% of the food we consume domestically and import 40%. Imports rise to roughly 80% for fruit and 50% for vegetables (DEFRA). In 2023 - 2024 almost three million people lived in households that used a food bank. 

Given this food crisis, the idea of using food forests to put food back into the centre of local communities is really exciting. If local residents can pick free food from a food forest in a local park rather than going to a supermarket (even only occaissionally) then that has to be a good thing. 

The benefits of food forests include

• Free food for the local community 
• Good for wildlife, especially pollinators 
• Education, helps people understand more about food production
• Hub for the local community through events and gatherings 
• Reducing carbon impact of transporting food from supermarkets 

Micro Forests For Change partner with garden designer and community food projects expert Jack Wallington to plant food forests - Jack brings expertise around species and the best cultivars to use given the planting conditions. In 2026 we worked together to deliver three food forests across Maidstone. 

 To find out more about planting a food forest email  tim@microforests.co.uk