When in the high desert of Flagstaff, you may feel the harshness of the elements in daily life and especially while gardening. You perhaps will begin to feel as if this region is a food desert, or at least declare your patch of ground to be one. However, if you look with a hungry eye, you will find there are plenty of edible plants scattered around and up for grabs throughout our beautiful town. Ornamental trees suddenly become solitary orchard relics – branches bending with the weight of fruits homeowners never expected. Urban foraging adds vital new and interesting ingredients for our personal kitchens and Square Root Foods. Finding these backyard plants and harvesting their ingredients connects us to our environment and community, and helps us tell a story of Flagstaff through food.
When we think about redesigning the food system, we believe it must become diverse, and everyone must be included. Our urban gardens have always been a key contributor to our menu. These gardens have provided the freshest herbs – a true staple of every item we cook. These small gardens are a wonderful supplement to our ever-rotating menu and add the unique and fresh flavors we love. The diverse ingredients we can get from right here in our beloved mountain town keeps our menu fresh, and the tradition of growing and enjoying edible plants alive.