A common question we receive at the co-op is: Will you be selling fiddleheads this Spring? And unfortunately, our answer is no. By choice.
Fiddleheads are an ultra-seasonal vegetable found mainly in the North Eastern section of the US into New Brunswick, Canada during the month of May. Fiddleheads are small coils that are tightly wound up and vibrant green (unless they are still covered in their brown papery skin) and can be found in wild forests along rivers. Although these plants are deemed tasty and healthy (the flavor resembles fresh asparagus or mild broccoli,) overharvesting fiddleheads has become far too popular and damages the local ecosystem. Here are few reasons why we won’t contribute to fiddlehead harvests:
- Although fiddleheads aren’t considered a rare plant, they are a significant species within their ecosystem.
- State park employees have confirmed sightings of significant overharvesting over the years. When a fiddlehead crown is harvested extensively for multiple years, the plant won’t regrow.
- Overharvesting threatens the fiddlehead population because it prevents the plant from producing enough spores to reproduce.
- Fiddleheads are only in season for three weeks. When picked too swiftly during this period, they may not have enough time to reproduce.
- Fiddlehead harvesting encourages foragers to make their way onto remote, untouched land, increasing the possibility of intrusive damage.
- Excessive harvests can increase erosion and allow infiltration by invasive species.
- Due to business demand and commercial purposes, people have been spotted leaving the woods with garbage bags full of fiddleheads (about $200-$300 worth, between $3 – $5 per pound.) Large amounts have also been documented being sent through the mail for profit.
- Slow Food USA (a nonprofit promoting slow and sustainable food) has declared fiddles heads an “at-risk” species.
