Ryder and Topalian, cofounders of Edible Communities Publications, a network of 65 regional food magazines that honor place-based food, cull the best of the best Edible
articles to create an inviting and rewarding collection celebrating local food and sustainable food systems around the U.S. and Canada. With 150 striking color photos, the book is a feast for the eyes, mind, and palate. Divided into geographic regions, it shares success stories and profiles of remarkable individuals and businesses in each, from Boston's Allandale Farm, the last working farm in the area, through Phoenix's gentle giant chef Greg LaPrad, to Seattle's Lummi Island Wild Preserves. We learn about Richmond, Va.'s Belmont Butchery and its Old Fashioned Charcuterie, Missoula, Mont.'s Le Petit Outre bakery, and southeastern Michigan's Calder Dairy. Each story provides a perfect balance of inspiration, delight, information, and gratitude that such operations and artisans still exist. The authors also include a tasty array of recipes, organized by season, including Aspen tri-tip roast; collard tops with parmigiano; and double corn spoon bread. With the recent growth of the slow food and locavore movements, this well-timed book is a welcome and vital contribution to the ongoing challenge of sustainability. (May)
