Food security takes time. This autumn, our young orchard is growing roots, changing colour and becoming part of a longer vision for local food.

There’s a little fire in the orchard this October. The young apple trees are turning purple, burgundy and deep, brilliant red, their rain-soaked leaves catching the light against the yellows and golds of the surrounding forest. They’re only finishing their second year, standing about three to four feet tall, but they’ve already given us something worth stopping for.

At the Living Lab orchard, the seasons are part of the work. These trees are still small, still finding their feet in the soil, and already putting on a remarkable show. Many have turned such a dark red they almost look painted. Others are changing by the week, picking up new shades as autumn moves towards winter. We love those reds. They make the coming cold feel a little less grey.

We planted these trees with a longer future in mind. Food security isn’t only about what we can harvest today. It’s also about what we establish, care for and pass along: fruit trees, berry bushes, gardens, practical skills and the knowledge that comes from growing food together. Our work connects the living orchard and community garden with a wider effort to strengthen local food systems, from growing and harvesting to preserving food, sharing recipes and finding ways to make more of what we produce available to the community.

There’s also a feeling of joy in watching something take root before it has much to give back. These young apple trees aren’t producing a harvest to fill baskets just yet. They still have a few years to go. But for now, they’re growing stronger, putting down roots and reminding us why this kind of work takes patience.