Edible food forest in the Bronx
BY JASON COHEN
Unknown to many Bronxites,
the borough is home to
the Bronx River Foodway,
the only food forest inside a
city park.
Located in Concrete Plant
Park along the Bronx River
in Hunts Point at Westchester
and Whitlock Avenues, the
Foodway was launched in
2017 to examine how a sustainable
food landscape can
be integrated into a public
park.
The Foodway offers access
to a variety of edible plants
including medicinal plants
like echinacea, nut trees, an
assortment of native berries,
as well as a section dedicated
to kitchen herbs and recognizable
veggies.
“I think the Foodway Program
is a great way to teach
our residents about sustainability
and I look forward to
promoting school partnerships
in our district so that
our youth can continue to
be educated and have hands
on experience with what it
means to build a sustainable
community,” said Community
Board 9 Assistant
District Manager Shirley
Alonso. Concrete Park is in
CB2, but straddles the CB 9
border.
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Nathan Hunter, Foodway
coordinator, explained to the
Bronx Times that since its
inception, people have drawn
to the edible forest.
He has seen people propose
there, harvest mint or
simply enjoy nature and the
food. He encourages Bronxites
to walk in the garden and
view the beauty it offers.
“We weren’t sure what was
going to happen,” Hunter explained.
“It’s been very well
received and we’re advocating
for more Foodways in the
future.”
The site is cared for by
community members, NYC
Parks, the Bronx River Alliance
as well as partners,
including The Point CDC.
Additionally, Parks will be
assisting the Foodway team/
Bronx River Alliance with
various resources such as
mulch, compost, plants, advisement
and maintenance.
The Foodway has been
hosting regular weekend
programming opportunities
every fi rst Saturday year
round. It started initially as
winter work days and has
continued to into the warmer
months with First Saturdays
at the Foodway.
Hunter stressed that the
Foodway has made a difference
in the community.
“They don’t have to be just
places where you sit and look
at trees,” he said. “It’s been
a real space for healing as
much as for sustenance.”
1st Saturdays at the Foodway Courtesy of Bronx River Alliance
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