Hoosier Thoughts We are thrilled to bring you the first edition of Edible Indy! We are one of 60-some locally owned and edited magazines in the Edible Communities family, which over the past 10 years has spread all across North America—check our back cover for the company we keep. We are all about exploring and appreciating local, sustainable food and food production; celebrating local food growers, chefs, vintners, brewers and artisans; and creating seasonal, fresh and wholesome food to bring to your table every day. We are also about buying local everything in support of economic growth and sustainability in our beloved home of Central Indiana. So ... what does one do when undertaking a new venture? I believe there are two important actions. The first is to call on one’s network of family and friends, including: Helen and Cathy
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My oldest friend’s husband, who in this issue writes a beautiful story of a childhood quest to find the best corn on the cob; My grade school chums, who just happen to own the first organic dairy in Indiana, which makes for a yummy summer backyard barbecue menu and venue; One of my bridge buddies of 20-plus years, who is undoubtedly one of the finest home cooks (especially when it comes to creating soups). She will share her talents with you in our pages each season; A local business colleague and politician, who introduced me to someone in the “food editorial business.” She turned out to be our fabulous managing editor; My husband, brother and sisters, who have lent ad support, opened doors and shared creative illustration; Especially, my daughter, Helen, who had the idea, the vision, the gumption and the determination to see that we could actually publish this magazine in the Indianapolis area.
I have to say I was a bit surprised that Central Indiana didn’t already have an Edible publication. I had visited farms, farm stands and farmers’ markets and purchased seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats and the like in recent years—and after all, the Hoosier State is over 60% agricultural. We have a local Slow Food chapter; we have well-known foodies in this state and active food bloggers. So why no Edible magazine?! As a lifelong Hoosier—one who has never felt the call to live or go to school anywhere else—I am entitled to say that the Hoosier State has always been just one step behind. Well, Helen and I have solved that issue by bringing you Edible Indy. The second action one must do when undertaking a new venture— especially if one’s new venture is extremely different from any of one’s previous ventures—is to build a new network. The folks at Edible Communities and the 60-some other Edible publishers have been most giving with their advice and encouragement, sharing of secrets of what works and what doesn’t, for which I am truly grateful. And then there is the food community in Central Indiana! What a vibrant, active, generous
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group, and so committed to the development of local, sustainable food. This network provides plenty to write about and great support for our efforts with this publication. Hopefully, we will grow old together. Dear Reader, you will learn that this local food movement is multigenerational—one that spans from the very young to the very old, like the rebuilding of the City Market that originated in 1886 and of one local butcher shop that has been in business for three generations. Then there are the new folks who are popping up everywhere. In 2000 Indy had about one farmers’ market; today that number is over 16 and several are year-round, providing us something to talk about (and cook for dinner) even when there are seven inches of snow on the ground. And there is a very active youth movement, connected with schools, that we intend to explore in coming issues. One is steeped in tradition of 60 years; others are brand-new undertakings with community gardens in school neighborhoods and college campuses. So ... let’s bring on summer. Backyard picnics, corn on the cob, fresh homegrown tomatoes, Decker melons and locally brewed beers come to mind this season. I hope your palate will be awakened and tempted to try the seasonal recipes we bring you in this first issue. We thank you for your interest and support of Edible Indy. We look forward to a long relationship!
P.S. I am indebted to my cousin, Charlie Wunsch, publisher of Edible Grande Traverse, whose magazine I have followed for three years and whose inspiring words and guidance gave us the courage to embark on Edible Indy. My mom and his dad would be very proud and I dedicate this first issue to their memory.
Summer 2011
