Discover How Kennesaw State is Leading the Way in Sustainability with an Innovative Food Forest

The Kennesaw State University Food Forest is a great example of sustainable farming in cities. It not only grows fresh food but also serves as a hands-on learning space that helps students and supports those in need.

Started in 2019 by a geography professor and his team, this food forest faced a delay due to COVID-19 but is now thriving. The third-of-an-acre garden produces healthy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and herbs. These crops are donated to students who might be struggling to find enough to eat.

Grace Bloomberg, a student working at the garden, explains that a food forest is better for the environment. “In traditional farming, we often grow one type of crop over large areas. But in a food forest, different plants work together. This allows for more biodiversity, making the system healthier and less likely to face pests and diseases,” she says.

This food forest is part of a larger 24-acre field station, which also includes labs and a native plant nursery. Together, they focus on education and innovation. While the field station contributes food to KSU’s dining services, the food forest specifically targets food insecurity on campus by providing fresh produce to the KSU food pantry, known as KSU CARES.

Dr. Slinger-Friedman, one of the creators of the food forest, emphasizes that all food produced is given away, not sold. “We want to help students who face food insecurity. We send fresh veggies and fruits to the pantry, which also has non-perishable options,” she explains.

A report from the United States Department of Agriculture reveals that many neighborhoods in Atlanta are food deserts, where residents have little access to nutritious food. Dr. Slinger-Friedman notes that the food forest model plays a vital role in tackling these challenges. “By offering fresh produce in these areas, we can improve people’s access to healthy food,” she says.

Nathan Fraze, another student at the field station, shares that educating people about food production is key. “We want to show others how to create their own food forests. This way, they can rely less on stores and understand where their food comes from,” he states.

In fact, the model of the KSU food forest has already inspired a similar project in Pittsburgh, a community in Southwest Atlanta. Dr. Slinger-Friedman hopes to spread the food forest concept to all food-desert areas in Metro Atlanta.

“We designed the food forest with food insecurity in mind. We’ve already started working with the community to build another one in Pittsburgh,” she says enthusiastically.

This project not only benefits the local community but also enriches students’ education. Dr. Slinger-Friedman explains, “This space allows students from various majors to apply what they learn in class in real-world settings, offering a unique educational experience.”

Fraze remarks that his perspective on food production has changed since he began working at the food forest. “I always knew food didn’t grow on supermarket shelves, but seeing it grow here is eye-opening. You realize how much you can produce and how simple it can be,” he says.

He believes that teaching others about sustainable food production is crucial. “If we can show people how easy it is to grow their own food, many more might start their own gardens, helping themselves and their communities,” Fraze adds.

The field station is situated on an old cement mixing plant, which made improving the soil a tough job. Dr. Slinger-Friedman notes, “This project shows how we can reshape urban land for better use. It teaches us what to do with small, degraded areas and how to transform them into productive spaces.”

Bloomberg sees the food forest as a crucial resource for communities with food insecurity. “This approach helps everyone. It supports the environment and provides fresh food, preferable over the store-bought options. It can easily fit into urban spaces, as it uses layers and perennial plants that return year after year, requiring less upkeep,” she says. “This makes it perfect for people in food deserts to have accessible food right in their backyard.”