Urban food forestry (UFF), its role in Canadian urban forestry management plans, and integration into Thunder Bay, Ontario

Abstract

Urban food forests are perennial polycultures of fruit or nut-producing tree species that mimic a natural ecosystem. The concept of urban food forestry within small grassroots campaigns and initiatives is not a new one, but has until recently gained some recognition in Canadian urban forest management plans. Even so, its role in urban forest management plans remains poorly understood. An analysis of 10 contextual search terms and themes related to urban food forestry within 25 Canadian urban forest management plans was conducted to better understand its role. It was determined that the mention of urban food forestry was distributed unevenly and disproportionately with no discernible pattern. Discussions surrounding existing urban food forestry initiatives within Canada were then mentioned to adopt a framework to help address food insecurity in Thunder Bay.