Environment

National Trust UK offers food foraging holidays

by Amy Judd | January 2, 2009 at 02:26 pm

389 views | 29 Recommendations | 5 comments

The National Trust in the UK is now offering 'food foraging' holidays, where they will teach you to live off the land as an alternative to spending money in these hard economic times.

People are looking to not spend as much money on groceries now, as prices are rising and times are hard, so the National Trust have developed these trips that teach someone how to look to nature for food, just as in past generations like during the Second World War.

People have taken to this lifestyle in the past, but it is only recently that it might be a viable option for families now. Two holidays will be held this year near Shropshire, and even a hunting expedition to trap and skin rabbits might be on the menu.

The director of voluntary programmes for the National Trust, Jennie Owen, says that it would be desireable to learn how to make an entire meal from wild food.

"She said: "Jane Allsop, who is running the wild food element of the holiday, is a farmer's daughter from the local area who's passionate about local food.

"She is hoping that the groups will be able to make one meal in the week that's almost completely foraged."

Holiday makers can expect to make nettle soup and wild leaf salad in June, while in September the group will look for mushrooms and forage hedgerows for blackberries and nuts.

Ms Owen said: "There might be the opportunity to go hunting for rabbits, but that depends on how people feel about that."

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mudricky

at 15:42 on January 2nd, 2009

Cool story.

Paschen

at 17:36 on January 2nd, 2009

Maybe I should open a school or camp to teach that as well?

pixelprince

at 18:17 on January 2nd, 2009

time to get back right on track this year -- eat lots of fruits and vegetables, that will give us phytonutrients for an optimal cellular overall health.

pixelprince has contributed a photo to this story.