On my path through the internet today, I stumbled upon Sam Thayer, the midwest’s wild food guru. He’s written two guides that I often see on people’s shelves, all at varying degrees of wear. Some are practically falling apart from use.

In the interview, Sam brings up an important point: you don’t have to live on a farm or next to a national park to harvest wild food. City-dwellers have an abundance of wild foods right out their front door. Like anywhere else, you just have to know what to look for.

There is a great article and interview with Sam Thayer on NPR’s website. The article begins: “As we step out the door of NPR’s headquarters, Thayer starts scanning the landscape, then lopes across the street, dodging cars. ‘I’m looking for green,’ he says.”

In the article, Sam takes us on a walk to discover wild foods growing in the area, and NPR researches the health benefits of eating wild foods. The interview is equally poignant. If you live in a city or ever have to venture into one, Sam offers wisdom on finding the abundant wild foods that grow even in the epicenters of humanity.

Sam Thayer’s books are Nature’s Garden and The Forager’s Harvest.

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Nicholas Tippins