Food For Thought: Fall 2020
Over the years, many of us have fallen in love with knowing where our food grows, who is growing it and how it gets to our tables. Knowledge of our local food system is a gift. Choosing to eat local berries grown on a Michigan farm instead of berries that have traveled thousands of miles is a good use of that gift. This knowledge is what 50 issues of edibleWOW have delivered.
Years ago, the proverbial pendulum of food shopping swung away from local offerings. As a community, we were thrilled to see stores filled with exotic fruits, vegetables and products from far-off places available all year long. Yet we noticed in our kitchens that the flavors of these well-traveled agricultural products were not as bright or as delicious as the foods from our own backyards. Nutritionists identified that the level of nutrition also is reduced when “fresh” is manipulated to last months. Local farmers raised their hands and said, “What about us?”
Fifty issues ago, Robb and Kate Harper, the founders of edibleWOW magazine, made a commitment to Southeast Michigan. They took action to do their part to get that pendulum swinging the other way. They held firm to the idea that knowing where our food comes from, when making our purchasing decisions, is powerful information. Since 2007, edibleWOW has grown into an editorially based, educational and informative magazine fostering a culture that inspires us to support and connect with the growers, producers and makers in our community.
This issue is a celebration of the honorable work Robb and Kate have done to bring a food community together through handshakes and storytelling. Local growers, producers, makers, chefs, restaurateurs, culinary students and farm-market operators are now called friends through their incredible work.
After 13 years this issue marks the passing of the baton. Kate and Robb are entrusting us with their labor of love, and we look forward to carrying on their mission. We’ve had the opportunity to work together on various projects for more than 10 years, so we already feel like members of the edibleWOW family.
It is our commitment to operate this magazine with those same inspirational goals as we continue to make the introductions, tell the stories and educate the community about the food treasures we have so bountifully in Southeast Michigan. This 50th issue brings new sections to edibleWOW, including a seasonal menu and neighborhood highlights as well as stories about farmers, markets, producers and chefs our readers have always enjoyed.
Thank you, Robb and Kate, for helping to move the pendulum and for improving our knowledge to choose local. We will continue to produce edibleWOW magazine with the same passion, always knowing the true gift that is realized when we are united through food.
Enjoy this issue as we recognize the important work of creating one place where we all can connect. We are grateful to our sponsors, who believe in edibleWOW, share our philosophy and support our effort. Please keep our local connection strong and patronize these businesses when you can.
