Planting futures: School-based food forests and their contribution to holistic education for sustainable development

School-based food forests are innovative tools which provide holistic education for sustainable development learning. They foster sustainability transformations through hands-on learning, critical thinking, and human-nature connections. This study explores the integration of school-based food forests (FF) into education systems and their potential to foster holistic education for sustainable development (ESD). Using the Whole School Approach (WSA) as a conceptual framework, the research examines the FF project at Chestnut School in Northern Germany, employing interviews and participatory methods to identify its educational, ecological, and social contributions. As edible, perennial, and biodiverse agroforestry systems, FFs address key sustainability challenges. Thereby, they support holistic school transformation, positioning themselves as a model for innovative, solution-oriented ESD. Beyond ecological and recreational benefits, FFs offer interdisciplinary and hands-on learning environments that bridge formal and informal education. They promote systemic thinking, agency, and self-efficacy, enabling students to connect personal actions with broader sustainability goals. The Chestnut School case underscores the FF’s potential to foster human-nature connections, critical thinking, and sustainable food practices.