EDITOR’S NOTE

Working on this magazine gives us the wonderful opportunity to talk with people who are passionate about what they do and the role they play in bringing various types of food to our community. Those we interviewed for this issue had a largely optimistic outlook for the summer and the year ahead. It was a welcome sentiment.

I can recall very distinctly doing interviews for our summer issue last year, and those were not optimistic in tone. “Heartbreaking” is a better description. We talked to people and businesses across the food spectrum about the new and frightening challenge of COVID-19. The state had shut down restaurants and bars. A ban on large gatherings had effectively wiped out catering operations. An estimated 300,000 Ohio food service workers had lost their jobs. It was a traumatic time, as you certainly recall.

The pandemic is not over, but the more upbeat outlook in this issue reflects the view that we are in a much better place for the summer of 2021. As I write this, nearly 40% of Ohio residents have been fully vaccinated. The state has lifted most restrictions. Restaurants are hiring.

In these pages you will meet some people whose hopeful viewpoint has translated into action as they move their food businesses from pop-up operations to permanent homes. Carnell Willoughby (Willowbeez SoulVeg), Isabella Bonello (Three Bites Bakery) and the team of Annie Williams Pierce, Luke Pierce and Tyler Minnis (Boxwood Biscuit Co.) are all passionate about their food, and they all saw opportunity ahead.

Likewise, the people we spoke with who run farmers markets around Central Ohio are enthusiastic about the prospects of this summer season. Last year they were able to operate as “essential businesses,” but they also had to deal with a ban on large gatherings. Although some of their solutions, such as online pre-ordering, were efficient, they were not as enjoyable as traditional market shopping. This year the market managers expect bigger crowds as they mix a bit of fun in with the business, even with precautions in place. Franklin Park Conservatory’s Michele Bailey put it this way: “I think everybody is feeling better about this summer, and we’re all just chomping at the bit to get back in society and talk to people.”

I’m glad to live in a place where vaccines are readily available, and I wish that were true for the whole world. As soon as my wife and I and our three adult children all were vaccinated, we gathered for the first time in more than a year. That was our biggest sign of hope for the future. If you have been vaccinated, I thank you for helping us all move forward. If you are still hesitant, please discuss your concerns with people you trust: your doctor, clergy, family and friends.

Whatever your situation, I hope this summer finds you with a full plate and an optimistic outlook.

—Gary Kiefer gary@ediblecolumbus.com

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COLUMBUS

PUBLISHER Franklin County Farm Bureau

EDITOR IN CHIEF Gary Kiefer | gary@ediblecolumbus.com

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Edible Columbus is brought to you by Franklin County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees:

Leland Tinklepaugh, president | John Hummel, vice president Roger Genter, secretary | Dwight Beougher | Veronica Boysel Connie Cahill | Ross Fleshman | Denise Johnson Lewis Jones | Gayle Lewis | Jack Orum Cassie Williams | Nathan Zwayer Edible Columbus is published quarterly and distributed throughout Central Ohio. Subscription rate is $25 annually. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us. Thank you.