Voedselbos Benthuizen is a 1.2-hectare organic farm and food forest located on the edge of the village of Benthuizen. This former pasture has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem filled with nut trees, fruit trees, berry bushes, and edible plants. The farm is designed to create a healthy environment for both people and wildlife, with all produce grown in natural soil without the use of pesticides. It operates as a community-focused space where members can actively participate, learn, and enjoy the harvest.
Self-Pick Produce and Seasonality Members can come weekly to harvest a wide variety of fruits, berries, nuts, herbs, and vegetables directly from the forest. The specific produce available changes with the seasons and is communicated through a weekly member newsletter. Guided harvest tours are also offered to show what is ripe and how to pick it. Specific Pluk & Proef (Pick & Taste) walks are organized from March through November, allowing participants to sample and learn about the different edible plants in the forest.
Business Hours and Season The food forest is open to members for its activities during specific times:
- Wednesday: 10:00 - 12:00
- Friday: 10:00 - 12:00
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed
Members can join weekly workdays on Fridays from 10:00 to 13:30 and every other Wednesday from 10:00 to 13:30. Non-member events, such as guided tours and Pluk & Proef walks, are scheduled on specific dates throughout the year, particularly from spring through autumn. The farm has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on local reviews.
What visitors say
Visitors consistently describe this self-picking farm as a beautiful, inspiring, and exceptional destination. Many highlight the “super experience” offered, particularly praising the tours for being fun, educational, and well-organized. The opportunity to taste and pick various plants is a significant draw, often surprising visitors with the diverse and unique flavors encountered. There is strong appreciation for the initiative as a developing food forest. It’s noted, however, that the farm is not freely accessible to the public, though becoming a “friend of the food forest” grants participation in special picking and tasting lunches.

