Canopy and Understory is a new line of consumer facing products created by EFM to provide access for the modern day consumer to the incredible richness of our native forests, and to demonstrate that healthy, functioning forests that produce a wide array of products—including forest foods—can be a tool to foster economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental well-being.

Our first commercial product line is a collection of salal berry fruit spreads which are currently available in New Seasons stores in the Portland area. Rich salal berries foraged at the height of summer from deep in the understory are combined with the bright, citrusy new spring growth of spruce trees. The iconic salal plant grows deep in the understory of native forests in the Pacific Northwest and is known both for its nutrient rich berries as well as its beautiful green foliage.

Harvesting of berries is done primarily by Latino foragers for whom berry harvesting is a welcome opportunity in summer months when typical forest employment opportunities, such as tree planting and precommercial thinning, are generally unavailable.  In addition, wild foraging provides opportunities for women that are often excluded from employment in the forest sector.

We believe managing forests for their full array of products including timber, carbon storage, habitat, recreation and forest-to-table foods like this spread is essential to creating economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental well-being. Your purchase of this product helps reinforce this link between healthy forests and vibrant rural communities.

For question regarding Canopy and Understory please contact us at info@canopyandunderstory.com and for the latest news follow us on facebook and instagram.