Well, common dnd meta is that healing in battle isn't as effective as simply laying on the damage. It's out-of-combat most people need, and 40 HP from a level 1 spell is pretty good. Granted Cure Wounds is far more useful if you need the heals now, but 10 berries that can heal 4 HP each would be great for an after battle snack.

I also like the idea that with things like magic initiate, our characters are just learning spells from each other. Assume Parum is going to the College of Lore (which is what it looks like from her backstory), even she'll get in on the cross class magical learning. Heck even Orchid could since I intend to take him down the Totem Warrior route, and someone's gotta teach him Speak with Animal and Beast Sense.