Flowers from Bountiful Gardens, Duke Farms Farmers’ Market, Hillsborough. Photo by Paul Temmerman.

It’s a hot nearly summer day in May and I’ve been at the computer for hours. Like much of the world this spring, I’m tired of screen time. Looking out the window, I find myself struggling to quell rising tendrils of fatigue. And then I remember.

This issue marks Edible Jersey’s 14th anniversary. Pulling that first Summer issue from the shelf, I leaf through the pages. It feels good to see so many familiar faces. There’s Mikey Azzara, who went on to found Zone 7, one of NJ’s first farm-to-restaurant distributors. Turn the page and there’s toddler Louie Condo of Big Bucks Blueberry Farms in Hammonton wearing blue-jean overalls in a wonderful photo taken by Frank Mentesana. Louie is likely well past high school by now! There’s Dr. Gary C. Pavlis writing about the 2007 New Jersey Wine Competition. I see chef Jim Weaver, who owned Tre Piani restaurant in Princeton for many years and started the Central New Jersey chapter of Slow Food along with food writer Pat Tanner. There’s Delaware Bay oysters and peaches and our very first Farmers’ Market Guide.

I fell in love with New Jersey while creating that first issue of Edible Jersey, and I’ve carried the feeling ever since. The reason? Edible Jersey is food + community.

Let’s face it, proudly: New Jersey has the best food in the nation—and it needs to be celebrated. We’re blessed by fertile farmland, seafood-producing shorelines and a diversity of ethnic flavors. More importantly, our tight-knit community of farmers, fishers, restaurateurs, food artisans, grocers, vintners, craft brewers, and others work to sustain and support each other’s local endeavors. This has never been more apparent than during the past pandemic year. Restaurateurs sharing outdoor dining and takeout kitchen spaces and farm markets putting rivals’ products on their shelves are just two of countless examples.

Most of the people—the community—you see in Edible Jersey are on a mission: to create food and lifestyle products that nourish the spirit and the planet as well as the body. As we hit this anniversary mark, I ask that you seek out and support them, especially the advertisers in this issue and those who have joined us over the past 14 years. Edible Jersey exists because of their support and they are some of the most outstanding, quality businesses you could ever buy from.

Again, with this issue as with every issue, our community expands. We are honored to introduce you to the people and businesses showcased on these pages and to share their stories. We look forward to looking back one day (after another 14 years?) at the positive impact they have had on the food and community of the Garden State. Thank you for joining us. Enjoy summer!

Sincerely,
Nancy Painter, Editor & Publisher

 SUBSCRIBE 

to Edible Jersey and have copies delivered right to your door. Visit ediblejersey. com to purchase a subscription for yourself or as a gift for a friend. To subscribe by mail, send a check [$24 for one year or $40 for two years] to PO Box 279, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Be a part of the story on local food and drink.

SUMMER 2021 FEATURES