I don’t know what it is about fall—the cool evenings, the transitioning foliage—but this season serves as my reminder to slow down. Maybe I slow down because fall is my favorite season or maybe fall is my favorite season because I slow down, either way it is my cue to take in the things around me my busy brain too often misses. Fall is my season for the unsung, the often overlooked and undercelebrated.
This season’s issue gives just a glimpse of the unsung in our local food system—the people, produce, processes and products which may be underappreciated or uncelebrated. While I’m ecstatic about the stories we are sharing in this fall issue, I have to admit this was a tough issue for me to help put together. I have to say no to far more stories than I ever get to say yes to, and it is never because the stories are not compelling and don’t deserve to be told. It’s simply a matter of space. But in this issue dedicated to the unsung, it hurt even more to say no.
In an ideal world, we would fill volumes with the deeds of countless farmers and their crews doing the hard work to feed our communities. We would share the endless stories of back of house characters, thanklessly working the line and scrubbing dishes. The list goes on and on of food system workers and local advocates deserving of a cover story.
As the overwhelm began to consume me, I stopped to remind myself of fall. I slowed down and realized, perhaps this issue’s sampling of stories will serve as a gateway to more learning and discovery. I hope Erica Krug’s piece investigating pollinators beyond the honeybee encourages you to help care for these crucially important critters in our food system. Perhaps our Cook at Home recipes celebrating all things cruciferous will inspire you to make tonight’s dinner all about this workhorse family of vegetables and find a local farm where you can grab supplies. Or hopefully Elena Bird’s story “Sowing Food Sovereignty” will inspire understanding and action as Ho-Chunk communities around the state begin resiliency gardens as a move toward food sovereignty in the face of cuts to federal programs supporting food access.
I encourage you to take this fall to slow down and dive into a story of the unsung, the uncelebrated and the often overlooked. Discover something new and gain a deeper appreciation for the people, products and passion that makes up our local food system.
Cheers,
Marissa DeGroot, Managing Editor
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