Growing Food, Growing Communities, Growing Hope

 As a nature and wildlife advocate, I strongly support the idea of community food forests as part of the solution to food insecurity in New Brunswick.

The reality is that more New Brunswick families are struggling to put healthy food on the table than ever before. Food bank usage continues to rise, and many communities are feeling the effects of higher food costs and an increasing reliance on food imported from outside the province.

What I find most inspiring about food forests is that they do more than simply provide food. They create spaces where people can connect with nature, learn about local food production, and work together to strengthen their communities. Community food forests demonstrate how public spaces can provide fresh fruits, berries, nuts, and herbs that are available to anyone who needs them.

I also appreciate the environmental benefits that food forests provide. Unlike traditional agricultural systems, food forests mimic natural ecosystems by incorporating trees, shrubs, native plants, and perennial food sources. They create habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while helping to improve biodiversity, improve soil health, and strengthen environmental resilience.

Will food forests solve food insecurity on their own? No. Food insecurity is a complex issue that requires action on poverty, housing affordability, wages, food costs, and community support systems. However, food forests can be an important part of a larger solution. They help build local food security, reduce dependence on imported food, and create opportunities for communities to become more self-reliant.

I believe New Brunswick should continue investing in community food forests, community gardens, and local food initiatives. These projects not only help feed people, but they also reconnect us with the land and teach future generations where food comes from and why healthy ecosystems matter.

In many ways, food forests represent the best of what communities can accomplish when people come together with a common purpose. They grow more than food—they grow knowledge, stewardship, resilience, and hope. At a time when many people are struggling, initiatives like these deserve our support and encouragement.

Keith Dennis Brewer
Nature and Wildlife Advocate
New Brunswick, Canada