In late spring of 2023 Green Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Fellowship transformed its property by planting an urban food forest, native plants and vegetable gardens. The goal of the project is to make the land work for the planet and provide food for the community with the intended audience of neighborhood residents and local food pantries.

With planning help from New Leaf Foods, members planted many native fruit trees and bushes including cherry, plum, raspberry, currants, blackberry, elderberry, hazelnut and even a sugar maple tree to harvest syrup, on the front of its property. Two raised garden beds are planted in the back of the property for fresh vegetables. The community is invited to share in the harvest.

According to Kimberly Brumm, GBAUUF Board President, “The Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to respect the interdependent web of all existence and to work for justice. We hope that in one small way we will accomplish that with this community food forest.”

“There are so many reasons why the Urban Food Forest movement is important to our local community, one of the biggest being that over 75% of Brown County residents reported food insecurity in 2022. This primarily affects our most vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children” said Brittany Arnold, the Food Forest Coordinator at New Leaf Foods.

Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director of Olde Main Street District, added “The Olde Main Street District is excited about the plans to create an Urban Food Forest and raised garden beds being coordinated by The Green Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. This initiative is not only great for the planet, but it is a fine example to everyone passing by that improvement initiatives such as this have a significant impact on this vital, high traffic neighborhood. Olde Main Business District leaders and businesses take so much pride in the district’s first impression and are thankful for the GBAUUF leadership and resources to bring this impressive Urban Food Forest to Main Street.”