Local nonprofit Bountiful Cities and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council partnered with the City of Asheville to release an updated interactive map showing public edible plants around Asheville.
Asheville is known for its vibrant food culture and commitment to sustainability. However, alongside a community of passionate foodies, there are individuals experiencing food insecurity. The Asheville Edibles Map aims to bridge this gap by highlighting the abundance of edible plants available for foraging, sharing, and cultivating by locals and visitors. The map also seeks to serve as an educational tool to inspire more edible plantings on private and public property. Bountiful Cities, a local nonprofit dedicated to food security and urban agriculture, is partnering with the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council and the City of Asheville to relaunch this virtual, interactive map with enhanced features.
In 2018, Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council and Asheville City Sustainability staff initiated an edibles inventory project, collaborating with UNCA students, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Real Estate departments, and community groups familiar with edible plants in parks and public spaces. This project resulted in a comprehensive database of edible locations throughout the city.
The relaunch of the Asheville Edibles Map introduces several exciting updates. Previously relying on crowd-sourced information, the map now benefits from the expertise and oversight of Bountiful Cities. The partnership ensures that the information provided on the map is accurate and reliable, offering a valuable resource for residents and visitors alike.
The Asheville Edibles Map encourages community engagement, inviting locals to contribute their own knowledge of edible projects, plantings, and gardens. By collectively sharing information, the map becomes a dynamic platform that fosters collaboration and promotes a sustainable food ecosystem.
To explore the Asheville Edibles Map, visit this website. If you would like to contribute new sites or information to the map please fill out this form. Join us in discovering the diverse edible landscape of Asheville and take part in nurturing a thriving and inclusive city environment.
ABFPC Mission and Vision
Our mission is to identify, propose and advocate for policies, financial appropriations, and innovative solutions to improve and protect our local food system in order to advance economic development, social justice, environmental sustainability, and community resiliency.
Our vision is that all residents of Buncombe County have access to and the option to cultivate and prepare nutritious food within a resilient and sovereign foodshed that sustainably harvests and conserves farmland, forests, and water resources, sustains our population, collaborates with neighboring counties, and ensures a thriving agriculture-related economy.
Bountiful Cities Mission and Vision
Our mission is to be a collaborative urban agriculture resource. We create community partnerships to establish dialogue and trust, support community needs, and share agricultural skills.
Our vision is to help create and support abundant, food-sovereign communities. We are committed to holistic sustainability through integrated food systems, food security and production, and job creation. Since our beginning, we have been engaging communities, teaching urban agricultural skills, and advocating for healthy food systems that are accessible to all. We believe education is a lifelong process that involves exchanging knowledge and experience. Growing from this understanding, we are committed to supporting shared exchange by role modeling and facilitating events, programming, and experiential education.