National Open Food Forest Day
Discover, taste and experience the Eemvallei Food Forest during the National Food Forest Open Day
On Saturday 5 September, the Eemvallei agricultural food forest in Oosterwold will open its doors as part of the National Food Forest Open Day. Visitors are welcome on the day for a guided tour, an exploratory walk along the footpaths and cycle paths, and to sample the harvest. This way, everyone can see for themselves what a food forest is and how the system works.
At 30 hectares, the Eemvallei Food Forest is the largest food forest in Europe. On the fertile Flevoland marine clay, work is underway to create a regenerative landscape where soil, biodiversity and economic activity nourish one another. The food forest forms part of a 50-hectare green landscape, which also features an organic dairy farm and a number of walking and cycling paths.
From redcurrants to Nashi pears
A food forest combines…
Discover, taste and experience the Eemvallei Food Forest during the National Food Forest Open Day
On Saturday 5 September, the Eemvallei agricultural food forest in Oosterwold will open its doors as part of the National Food Forest Open Day. Visitors are welcome on the day for a guided tour, an exploratory walk along the footpaths and cycle paths, and to sample the harvest. This way, everyone can see for themselves what a food forest is and how the system works.
At 30 hectares, the Eemvallei Food Forest is the largest food forest in Europe. On the fertile Flevoland marine clay, work is underway to create a regenerative landscape where soil, biodiversity and economic activity nourish one another. The food forest forms part of a 50-hectare green landscape, which also features an organic dairy farm and a number of walking and cycling paths.
From redcurrants to Nashi pears
A food forest combines food production with the restoration of soil and biodiversity: a planted forest with multiple layers — from trees and shrubs to ground cover and climbing plants — which, without artificial fertilisers or pesticides, yields a rich harvest of vegetables, fruit, nuts and herbs.
The food forest is thriving. The first harvests have been gathered: redcurrants, jostaberries, sea buckthorn berries, olive willow berries, plums, apples and the nashi pears, which are so popular in the food forest world. “What’s more, we’re expecting our first apricots this year!” says Anje Poortman, manager of the food forest.
In short, there’s plenty to discover, taste and experience. You’re very welcome!
Practical information
- Guided tours at 10.00, 12.00 or 14.00. In about an hour, a volunteer will tell you all about the origins and future plans of the Eemvallei Food Forest.
- Explore for yourself; set off on a journey of discovery along the walking and cycling paths in the area open to the public.
- Taste and enjoy coffee, tea, juice or syrup with a tasty treat; visit the stall selling home-made products such as jams, chutneys and syrups, or pick your own fruit for a small fee.
Admission is free. It is advisable to book a place on one of the three guided tours due to limited availability; please book via eemvallei@voedselbosbouw.org.
Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes and long trousers.
Dogs are only allowed on a lead.
NationalFood Forest Open Day
The Eemvallei Food Forest is one of many food forests across the Netherlands taking part in the National Food Forest Open Day on 5 September. Through this initiative by the Nature and Environment Federations, organised by Boer&Buur met Natuur in collaboration with Voedsel uit het Bos, we aim to inspire people about food forests as a concrete example of nature-inclusive agriculture.
A full list of participating food forests can be found at www.boerenbuurmetnatuur.nl/openvoedselbossendag.
Take a closer look
Prices
- Free