We all know that buying local creates economic gains for our community. The data clearly shows the more you purchase locally, the more you strengthen the local economy, thanks to the multiplier effect.
Yet it’s also true that spending your hard-earned dollars to purchase goods from local food producers, farmers, and restaurants is not only good for the bottom line, it’s good for the soul. It goes way beyond money and into the harder-to-quantify emotional benefits of community building. I was reminded of this while interviewing Jody Fessler of Windsor for a new section called “My Favorite Eats.” Fessler is passionate about local food and it shows in her purchasing habits. She’s a fountain of information about where to get what. For example, she was the first person to tell me about the egg vending machine at Wise Acre Farms—how cool is that? Our conversation was an excellent reminder of how great it can be to connect and bond over food.
Michelle Feilecan Photography
The rest of our issue explores similar themes. A story about the Diaz family’s new jarred mole (mo-lay) operation in Healdsburg digs into the connections between a revered family recipe, love, and migration. Our feature on local bitters makers isn’t about making a product and selling it to the highest bidder; it’s about the gumption, creativity, craft, and passionate engagement of three independent businesswomen with a knack for herbs. Pour yourself a cup of local coffee or tea (if you need some suggestions, we’ve covered both industries in past issues), or a glass of local beer or wine, and get inspired by the pages that follow, and the many fascinating stories of the people, places, and products that make our food economy thrive.
Have a story to suggest or want to continue this conversation? Send me a note at editor@madelocal.coop.
I’d love to hear from you!
Leilani Clark EDITOR
editor@madelocal.coop