Publisher’s Letter: Summer 2019

Welcome, summertime! We’ve been waiting for you. To celebrate, we’ve put together an issue packed with lots of seasonally inspired recipes and, of course, plenty of food for thought.

In our cover story, Dylan Bruce dives into the topic of hemp (p. 32) and the potential opportunity it may represent for farmers in our region and for consumers seeking the medicinal benefits of hemp, which, thanks to the rapid commercialization of cannabidiol (CBD), are currently most accessible in the form of therapeutic supplements like tinctures and salves. Although a new industry in our state, it’s one that holds great promise and, if managed well and scaled sustainably with small family farmers in mind, could be a game-changer in bringing a new level of revitalization to the countryside.

Also in this issue, Bjorn Bergman brings us on the journey of the great bagel (p. 26), throwing in a few schmears from regional foodies, and Andy Radtke adds a splash of cold water as he explores how Wisconsin dairy farmers are caught in the crosshairs of the U.S. trade war (p. 38). Tariffs are impacting export sales of cheese, adding another pain point to an already challenged Wisconsin dairy industry. Although so much of the milk produced in Wisconsin goes elsewhere, situations like this underscore the importance of building a robust local food system. Once again, supporting your local farmers with your food dollars as well as encouraging our legislators to create trade policies with farmers in mind is critical.

All of us here at Edible Madison wish you a summer filled with joy and taking advantage of time outdoors (hopefully mostly bug-free)—whether that’s soaking up the sun, strolling around the farmers market, tending to your garden, or kicking back with friends to enjoy an outdoor meal and a cool breeze or beverage. Let’s make the most of it, treat each other well and practice gratitude before the season is gone.

With Gratitude,

Jamie Lamonde
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief