In a time when many people are far removed from what's in their food and where it came from, there is a visible movement to get back to basics.
One new local publication, Edible Ohio Valley, sets out to make the case for eating fresh, eating local, and supporting small businesses.
Edible Ohio Valley is one of about 70 independently owned Edible Communities publications that promote a Locavore - or a fresh, locally based - eating lifestyle.
Just over a year old, the quarterly magazine-quality publication is operated by three sisters: Jennifer Kramer-Wine, Julie Kramer and Joy Kramer-Arndts, who collectively write, design, illustrate and sell advertising for the publication (with freelance contributions). Their parents help distribute it to local businesses and some libraries.
The sisters decided to start the publication after Julie and Jennifer, who previously lived in New York City, saw Edible publications in Connecticut and New York help drive a local food movement.
"I thought this would be great in Cincinnati, it's a city that has such an agricultural history that seems to have been lost, and it really needs this kind of support," said Julie, publisher and art director. "I thought with all of our talents combined, it was possible for us to take this on."
Edible Ohio Valley covers the range of local food consumption, from farmers, retailers, vineyards, bakeries and restaurants. You can also find some book reviews and recipes, an event listing (which is updated online) and an advertiser's directory which serves as a resource for locavore-minded businesses.
"We really want to inform. We want people to use Edible Ohio valley as a resource for local food, and to really get people thinking about where to buy food and why they should know their growers," Julie said.
The free publication is supported by advertising. Most of it is local, with the exception of Whole Foods, which advertises in all Edible publications wherever a Whole Foods is located. So you can find the publication there, as well as Findlay Market, Party Source, Anderson Farmer's Market, Pipkins Market in Montgomery and Gorman Heritage Farm in Evendale and
these places. You can also read it
online. Edible Ohio Valley has
Facebook and
Twitter pages to stay connected with readers.
The publication is off to a prestigious start. Earlier this month, Edible Ohio Valley was awarded 2011 Publication of the Year Award from the James Beard Foundation, along with the suite of Edible Communities Titles. The National Award has been compared to the Oscars of the food world.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Sources: Jennifer Kramer-Wine and Julie Kramer, co-founders Edible Ohio Valley
You can follow Feoshia on Twitter
@feoshiawrites
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