In Issue #36

COVER photography Reba Toloday: House Party.

HOOSIER THOUGHTS
 

Jennifer Rubenstein: 2020 Winner: Kurt Friese Community Service Award, photograph: Leah Tribbett

Then & Now, past and present—they all integrate with our future. In this issue we have the pleasure of exploring a few of our past articles on agriculture and community gardens to see how those important parts of our food journey have evolved for the betterment of our community just in a few short years. We also take a pleasant dive into plant-based eating, mocktails and the idea of throwing dinner parties, and we salute two individuals who have successfully transitioned their family restaurants into another new decade. We celebrate also 25 years with French Lick Winery, their Hoosier Homestead Farm and their mission to keep it in the family for going on seven generations.

These stories inspire us about the future of our food system. They are designed and written to encourage all of us to take small steps to be more responsible for our land, for our soil, for our bodies, for our community. Let’s stand up for responsible sourcing, understanding who is growing our food, listening to our body to give it longevity. The time to commit to this change is now. Won’t you join us on this mission?

And we are humbly pleased to announce that during our recent 2020 Edible Communities publishers meeting in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, I was chosen from the 74 publishers to receive the 2020 Kurt Friese Outstanding Community Service Award. Named for the late publisher of Edible Iowa River Valley, who was also a chef, restaurateur and elected county supervisor, the award recognizes extraordinary contributions to local community. In our case, the judges cited the ongoing work Edible Indy provides for local food initiatives in Central Indiana and also for our Edible Indy Foundation’s ongoing mission to raise money to send families affected by epilepsy to an all-expenses-paid family camp at the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky. We are humbled and grateful to be recognized for this work in the name of our friend and fellow Edible publisher, Kurt Friese. This award will be treasured for the rest of our lives.

Hoosier Hugs, 
Jennifer & Jeff Rubenstein