An Edible Tour Through Campus

On Monday, September 29th, 2025, Carnegie Mellon University’s campus transformed into a living classroom as OSHER Life-Long Learning Institute students [with the SIG - Walking Special Interest Group] embarked on a unique “Edible Tour through Campus.” Led by Jessica Rea, MS, RDN, LD, Program Director of Nutrition at CMU, and Chartwells Executive Chef Timothy Howland, the tour encouraged participants to see their surroundings through new lenses.

Participants discovered native, nutritive plants growing right on campus — including mulberry, paw paw, serviceberry, black walnuts, spruce, dogwood berries, hazelnuts, and pine. With each stop, Rea and Howland shared insights into these forageable flavors.

Leah Hoechstetter, Communications Liaison for the OSHER Walking Special Interest Group (SIG), reflected on the experience:

“It was such a great way to open our eyes to more of the richness of our environment, with lots of tasty and nutritious tips rolled in.” 

“Everyone had a wonderful time and as I'm sure you could tell, we were all fully engaged.”

With each step, the edible tour opened guests eyes to the possibilities growing all around them.