Sounds like it would be a fine place to have a sanctuary. Traveling around the edge might not be so bad, if they don't spook when you use it they may be traveling to the other side where the food plot is anyway. The purpose of a sanctuary is to give them a place to bed in and feel safe from hunting pressure. If you spook them on the edges it may cause them to leave or hole-up inside the thick stuff. It would be good if the food plot borders it.

They can leave the cover and go right to the food! If the area is not thick with under growth you may want to try some timber stand improvement to make it thicker and provide some browse.