North Lamar district gets a food forest

The North Lamar International Merchants Association is holding a ribbon-cutting to introduce the community to their new food forest-style community garden. An announcement from the merchants association says, “The North Lamar International District Food Forest will be open to the community to enjoy as a green space and, once the plants are mature enough to produce, anyone is welcome to harvest their fruit, free of charge. The goal of the food forest is to address the critical need for every person, regardless of income, to have access to fresh, healthy, organic food, and to contribute to the beauty of the community.” Of course, food forests don’t grow overnight, and this one was the result of a collaboration with the city’s Economic Development Department and the Community Tree Preservation Board with support from TreeFolks, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Park Rangers, and the Downtown Austin Community Court. Ribbon-cutting happens Saturday, Nov. 23, 1-2:30 p.m., 1310 Kramer Lane.