New developments are sprouting up with the Asheville Edibles Map thanks to a partnership between the City of Asheville, Bountiful Cities, and the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council.
Back in 2018, the Council collaborated with several City departments + UNC Asheville students to create a database highlighting edible plants throughout Asheville. In the map’s latest relaunch, the crowd-sourced information about edibles in the area is now being vetted by local nonprofit Bountiful Cities to ensure accurate details for users.
The map is a resource for fresh finds but also functions to aid those experiencing food insecurity by highlighting the abundance of shared food in our community.
Let’s take a tour
The map breaks down safe-to-eat perennials by type + where you can find them within the Asheville city limits — plus, pictures are attached with each location so you know what to look for. Here are a few categories to explore:
Community Gardens
The map highlights 20+ community gardens with continual harvests that you can explore and help cultivate, including 12 Baskets Community Garden, Elder & Sage Community Garden, and the WECAN Community Garden. When you’re navigating locations on the map, be sure to check the attached notes for garden guidelines.
Black Cherry
This fruit’s peak season is happening now through October, so this is the perfect time to start gathering your harvest — if you’re feeling creative, you could even make your own jam. The map shows a large hub of black cherries in the West Asheville area.
Orchards
There are currently seven orchards on the map, offering a variety of fruit trees + nuts. Among the spots listed is George Washington Carver Edible Park, the oldest community food forest on the East Coast.
Know a site with edible offerings not listed on the map? Fill out this form to contribute to the bounty.
