In Our Summer 2017 Issue

Summer is upon us! Having launched Edible Charleston in the Spring, my family and I capitalized on our momentum and decided to launch Edible Columbia during this beautiful time of year. I am so excited to introduce the inaugural issue of Edible Columbia. So much is happening in the local and sustainable food scene throughout the Midlands, we could not wait to share it and welcome you to join us as we support the local food movement.

We are grateful to be part of the Edible community, which celebrates its 15-year anniversary in 2017, but for us, these are new beginnings, and thus our theme for our summer issue.

In “A New Beginning,” you’ll read how my family came to be part of the Edible family. And in keeping with that theme, I set the stage for what you can expect Edible Columbia to bring you: stories of local food, local folks and local triumphs.

Zooming in locally, our contributor, Janet Scouten, shares how she came to embody the importance of slowing down and thinking about where our food comes from and why that’s important. Our story on the Bradford watermelon reminds us how reviving South Carolina heirloom seeds preserves our history and sense of community. From preserving the old to creating the new, we introduce beginning farmer Chase Renninger of Woodland Valley Farms in Jackson, and highlight a South Carolina favorite, tomatoes, sharing ways to cook them for the beginning of the day…breakfast!

In another feature, you will meet Chef Jason Bruner, the new Executive Chef at 1801 Grille, located on campus at the University of South Carolina. Jason brings his global experience local with the use of fresh-from-the-farm ingredients in many of his dishes. If you’re looking for places outside of the city to visit, “Fork in the Road” takes a trip to Camden to visit historical sites, farmers’ markets and local farms that provide fun, relaxation and the opportunity to enjoy a variety of local products.

The Columbia and entire Midlands food scene is exciting, and the momentum is palpable. There are several folks leading the movement and working tirelessly to ensure that local and sustainable food systems grow in the Midlands (pun intended). In the coming issues, we aim to feature them and spotlight what they are doing, so you can get to know them and get involved.

There are many ways to support local: visit the farms and farmers’ markets; join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or Farm Share for weekly fresh produce; or patronize restaurants, cafés, bakeries, breweries and markets that use and/or sell locally sourced ingredients.

One way to know that a business supports local is to look for the “Certified South Carolina” logo displayed at the business. Working together we can create a healthier future for our family, our community and our environment.

On behalf of my family, I want to express our sincere appreciation to our contributors, our advertisers, the community at large and our friends and neighbors, all of whom have embraced our vision and supported us in many ways to make this dream a reality. I look forward to Edible Columbia becoming a valued member of the community and bringing you the stories of how the Midlands eats and drinks for decades to come.

-Janice McHugh, Publisher