The Boston Food Forest coalition is a network of neighborhood-based, publicly accessible food gardens located throughout Boston. The gardens include newly planted sites, as well as established legacy orchards. Newly planted sites will use permaculture, a decision-making system based on the patterns found in nature, to maximize yields while reducing maintenance. Focus will be on fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and perennial vegetables. Food forests include plants that attract beneficial insects and replenish soil nutrients, as well as providing food. Since May 2014, the Boston Food Forest Coalition has been gardening the flagship demonstration site at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center in Mattapan. Forest gardens are now growing in Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, West End, and schools & churches. Place-making parks benefit all Bostonians by reconnecting neighbors to nature and each other, through food, art and community festivals.
