It is blackberry season in Nanaimo, British Columbia (and other places, of course). On yet another walk today, I noticed more of these fruit-laden bushes - even more of a jackpot than I had found previously. It seems that wild blackberries are everywhere - easily accessible to those on foot, and the best part - FREE. So I have been taking advantage - combining exercise with my foraging for food. I bring a container with me and fill it to the brim. Breakfast for the next two days. And really, to not take advantage of a nutrient-dense, antioxidant-laden food such as this for FREE, is insane.But the thing is, people aren't taking advantage. And as food access is a major interest for me, I have to ask 'why not?' Blackberries have been ready for picking for several weeks now, and will be available for a handful more, and the bushes are barely touched. Countless apparently starving people (over 10% of accounted-for British Columbians live below the poverty line*) are not picking, and sadly, the fruit will end up rotting. Not picking, even on weekends under clear skies on safe walking trails close to the centre of town endlessly lined with blackberry bushes.
I can't answer the 'why not' question, but I would love to know. I'm sure I could gather a long list of reasons ranging from a socialist 'the poor are not empowered and thus don't trust resources available to them' to a conservative 'the poor are lazy and prefer handouts to taking reponsibility for their own well-being and that of their families'. And it is probably some complex combination of this entire range of views. The bottom line to me is that it is sad that people with little money and children to feed aren't out there teaching their kids about ages-old resource-gathering as well as actually providing good food to them at the same time.
At least for now, that means more blackberries for me...
**photo taken on the Trans Canada Trail in Nanaimo
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