Discover FGCU’s Food Forest

August 18, 2025

FGCU’s Food Forest is a student-run garden that is open to the community and highlights tropical/subtropical edible species that grow well in South Florida. It offers a unique learning experience for everyone on sustainable food production and whole food nutrition.

A garden features five raised metal beds filled with plants and flowers. A colorful mural on the wall of a container is in the background reading 'FOOD FOREST.’ The garden is surrounded by trees and greenery under a partly cloudy sky. Vegetable beds serve as part of the fall 2024 student class projects for the Farm-2-Table sustainability course.

To help further its mission to educate the community on sustainability and food systems, the Food Forest welcomed Dylan Moncada as manager earlier this year. Dylan began his journey at the Food Forest as a student coordinator and today brings in a wealth of experience in permaculture, sustainable agriculture and sustainable landscaping.

Wearing a bright orange long sleeve shirt and jean overalls, Food Forest manager Dylan Moncada is standing inside the Food Forrest next to a bench made from wooden boards painted with various colors and patterns. Dylan Moncada, Food Forest manager, gives a tour of the garden to community members.

"The FGCU Food Forest is special because it's more than just a garden —it's a living example of how we can grow food in harmony with Florida’s native ecosystems,” said Moncada. As manager, he coordinates student volunteers and interns, maintains the health and productivity of the forest, supports community outreach, organizes educational events and makes sure the space continues to serve as both a learning environment and a productive permaculture system.

Located just past the Sugden Welcome Center and next to the Kleist Health Center, stop by between sunrise and sunset to explore the area or schedule a guided tour. For more information, email foodforest@fgcu.edu or visit www.fgcu.edu/foodforest.