I’m writing this letter on what is supposed to be the hottest day of the year. As I type, I can see my tomato plants beginning to lose their leaves. I felt just as wilted and tired as those plants this morning when I tried to walk my granddaughter’s dog, Iggy Pop. Iggy felt the same, no walking today.
Luckily relief is in sight. Let’s hear it for our farmers and ranchers, the backbone of our food system in North Texas, who weather all the ups and downs of Texas climate and keep us nourished.
I can’t believe it’s the 15th anniversary of Chefs for Farmers. We were one of their first sponsors, when the first Farm to Table Dinner was held in a field at Eden’s Organic Garden CSA Farm in Balch Springs. It featured a five-course meal prepared by wonderful local chefs, and 100 people were in attendance. Iris Midler is still running the show and has expanded it to a multiday event in Dallas with attendance at over 5,000 and debuted a new Chefs for Farmers in Houston.
A big thank-you to Judith McGeary for writing about updates the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) promoted in the recent legislative session concerning the Texas Cottage Food Production law, which expands the ability of Texans to create or grow a home-based food business. Maria Whitworth adds a personal story about the positive effects for Marion Carol, who has a bakery business in Melissa, Texas.
On a summer visit to Terra Sana Farm + Kitchen and Vintage Cork in the East Texas community of Ben Wheeler, we feasted on the most splendid Italian cuisine and top-notch Texas wines. With me were Elizabeth Dry (Promise of Peace Gardens), EDFW writer Terri Taylor (aka my sister) and her husband Greg. I’d met chef Joe D’Alessandro when I judged Okrapalooza last year and wanted to know more. He introduced us to Vintage Cork owner KaLynn Johnson and her sister Tifani, who recently became Mrs. D’Alessandro. Their inspiring stories unfold in Terri’s “All Under One Tin Roof,” with photography by Teresa Rafidi.
Meda Kessler writes about another inspiring story, sharing how Fort Worthbased Taste Project is growing its paywhat- you-can mission with an Arlington location. If you’ve missed hearty cooking, Meda also nudges you back into the kitchen with her wonderful fall recipes. In closing, as I finish my letter, it is now raining, and the temperature has dropped 20 degrees. Welcome to Texas. I’m going to see if Iggy will want to walk in the rain. It’s iffy.
But this is a welcome relief for all our farmers and ranchers. Hopefully this weather will stick around for a few days.
Nanci Taylor, Publisher
NANCI TAYLOR is a third generation Texan whose family came to the state in the 1800’s to pursue cattle ranching and Texas has remained her home. She was born in San Antonio, but ended up in North Texas where she nurtured her Texas roots while attending college and raising two sons in Dallas. Proudly following in her parent's footsteps, Nanci plants and harvests the bounty of her own backyard garden in Old East Dallas. She keeps a busy calendar attending local food and ecology events, and on weekends she spends her time visiting with growers and food artisans at farms, shops and farmers markets around North Texas.