A food forest mimics the diversity of a natural forest where a variety of plants grow together as an ecosystem. By modelling this concept in the garden, plants grouped together complement each other, take advantage of niches and microclimates, increase biodiversity and ensure healthy soil and plants. And it looks beautiful. And part of it is about providing food to humans. 

In theory a food forest has seven layers: canopy layer (large fruit trees), understorey (smaller nut and fruit trees), shrubs (berries and large perennials), herbaceous (herbs and plants), rhizosphere (root crops), groundcover (clover and strawberries) and vines (climbing beans, peas etc.).