Food & Forest
Using agroforestry to feed the world without destroying it
- Location London
- Working on Sustainable farming; habitat loss; food security
Food and Forest specialise in agroforestry, which means combining the cultivation of trees with agriculture. They work with farmers to make use of the latest research and to grow high-quality nuts alongside other food crops. Selling the nuts, via retailers like Different Kind, funds further exploration and advocacy.
So why is agroforestry important? Well, every farm is different but the benefits can include reducing soil erosion on hillsides, by allowing rainwater to fully penetrate the ground and by reducing wind speeds. There’s also huge potential for greater biodiversity, including wild plants, creating species habitats and wildlife corridors. And, when crops are counted together, it should also be economically beneficial for farmers.
Founder Charles Tebbutt is passionate about the potential of farming in different ways, whilst still keeping production levels high - because we all still need food. For crops other than maize, during the first 7 years of a plantation there is no decrease in yield for the arable crop. The years following this, a 15% drop in yield is compensated by the nut crop. Everyone wins.
Why they are different:
Visitors to London’s Borough Market have known about the great taste of Food and Forest nuts since 2017. These are fresh nuts, reaching the consumer soon after harvest, from small farms who really care about the food they are producing and the environment they are creating.
Why they are kind:
Food and Forest are always looking to share their considerable expertise in agroforestry. They are always aiming to expand the number of farms they work with, but they also spend considerable time and effort advocating their methods and sharing research with governments and industry bodies.
