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Forbes Wild Foods Dyson Forbes in the forest and trees foraging

We are passionate about wild foods and eager to share the joy of discovery with you. Our environment is rich with natural nourishment just waiting to be appreciated.

Identifying and collecting wild foods is second nature for some and daunting for others. The wild brings images of tranquility, mystery, connectedness and danger. Foraging for wild foods is a multifaceted activity that brings you in touch with everything from biology to ecology, linguistics, history, storytelling, and so much more. If you can tell the difference between a head of lettuce and spinach, you are ready to start identifying plants and mushrooms. 

Here are some resources that can help get you started:

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Where to Start

For a budding wildcrafter eager to learn the first step, please read this blog post:

Happy harvesting!

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Forbes Wild Foods pie

Books for Cooking

Books by First Nations and non-First Nations authors that focus on traditional and modern First Nations cooking:


Cookbooks dedicated exclusively to wild foods:


Books on brewing with wild foods:

     
    Books with the most amazing mushroom recipes (and photos):

     
    Books on wild fish and game

    Some of them have recipes that include wild fruits, vegetables, grains, and root crops.

     
    Books that will tell you the various uses of wild plants

     
    Contemporary books with lovely recipes from highly inventive chefs:

     
    Other wild recipe resources


    A book with literally hundreds of wild food recipes:

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    Forbes Wild Foods

    Books for Identification

    Highly recommended identification books and field guides:

     

    Please note that many mushroom and plant ID books may have different latin names than you will find online. Mushrooms such as Pheasant backs have been changed from Polyporus Squamosus to Cerioporus squamosus and Boletus hortonii has changed to Hemileccinum hortonii. These name changes happen as a result of better more accurate classifications and further research. Books are an excellent resource however posting photos for ID online, in Facebook groups and other ID communities means you can ask follow up questions such as "how does Suillus Luteus differ from Suillus Grevillei?" 

     

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    Online Resources

    Here are a few of the best websites and Facebook groups dedicated to wild foods, and the harvesting of local plants and mushrooms:


    These Ontario specific guides are a wealth of free information:

      

    To learn more about growing and cooking mushrooms, the following groups are particularly helpful

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    Foraged Forays