Self-picking in the Glanerbeek food forest

In the rural area between Losser and Enschede, a food forest is taking shape. A forest you can eat from: nuts, fruit, leafy greens, flowers, and shoots. A place where you can experience what it is like to farm with nature—how everything works together to provide our food: plants, soil, fungi, insects, birds, and humans. A place that stays green during drought, stays cool in heat, and offers shelter during storms. A welcoming space full of natural abundance.

A food forest is a resilient ecosystem, designed by humans based on the model of a natural forest, with the goal of producing food.

There is no need for annual sowing, ploughing, or digging, because the system works with permanent, perennial plants. This allows rich soil life to develop and creates a resilient system with high biodiversity, attracting many insects, birds, and other animals.

The initiators of Voedselbos Glanerbeek are Maud Aarts, Dagobert Bergmans, and Jessica van Bossum. Since July 2022, they have been living with their children in Glane-Beekhoek, right in the middle of the food forest.

Various activities take place in the food forest, including guided tours and pick-your-own days twice a week. You can also volunteer on Friday mornings, in the picking team, or during planting days.

For more information, see the Plukdagen website. Registration is not required—just report to the weighing point in front of Glanerbrugstraat house number 47, 7585 PK Glane.