Foraging with Friends

By Candis Elliott

"We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of the time:  How much is enough?" - W. Berry 

Beth Lisson discovered this quote posted in a schoolyard garden in an area of Portland, Oregon where edible gardens are planted on boulevards, and she was inspired to include it as a centerpiece in the herb garden that transformed a much-neglected corner of James Bay this summer. The James Bay Discovery Coffee "Station", Menzies at Michigan, opened in October 2011 with a vision of becoming a community gathering place - "a hub, to share food and information (conversation) at the beginning and end of the day", says Beth Lisson the Operator Manager. She took advantage of the first planting season since opening to grow food for the café because, "feeling blessed with the space, it was an easy decision. The corner was truly an eyesore for many years and as the garden started to emerge, appreciation for our efforts began appearing in the form of gifts of herb seedlings left at the garden by the neighbours.We continue to share and trade plants with the community gardeners just across Michigan Street."

Discovery Coffee's support of healthy, organic, locally-grown food is consistent with the commitment to the environment, sustainability and "balanced" choices demonstrated throughout the operation as they routinely compost kitchen scraps and provide take-away containers that are all compostable. From a food value perspective, they believe that "fresh is best" in their efforts to offer a balance of tasty, nutritious and affordable menu items in the café. 

As a newly-turned-out Herbalist, keen to discover the vital secrets growing in James Bay, I happened upon the beauty of this edible garden in the warmth of August - delighted to identify the tarragon, sage, nasturtium, rosemary, mint and lovage growing there. All of these gifts of nature - transforming the energy of the sun ready for our consumption. 

While we typically consider herbs to be of "gourmet" value - a pleasure for our palate, many of them have 'value-added'. A personal favourite as a flavourful addition to soups and stews, Lovage, Levisticum officinale, has been used traditionally over hundreds of years for its "medicinal properties" including:  to reduce water retention; as a stimulant for digestion;  and to reduce flatulence and settle an upset stomach.

My hope for "Foraging With Friends" is that it can become a way for neighbours to share herbal intelligence, tips and truths passed down through generations of the herbs cultivated here. As you well know, there's no shortage of gardens or seasoned gardeners in these parts. Whether you consider it lore or legend, is it the thread of truth about these herbs that sustains the stories over centuries and cultures?  Please help to make this column an opportunity for James Bay plant lovers, foodies and friends to learn from each other by submitting your stories and information to candis@telus.net. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you to Beth Lisson and congratulations to the whole James Bay Discovery Coffee Station crew on one year of operation in our neighbourhood!