Savour Life magazine

BOOK REVIEW

Foodshed: An Edible Alberta Alphabet
by C.J. Katz
Wednesday, May16, 2012

Journalist, chef, poet and storyteller, dee Hobsbawn-Smith has taken on the monumental task of travelling the province of Alberta, speaking with producers, chefs and just about anyone connecting with food and telling their story. Through her narrative, she has taken the concept of local eating past the very limiting 100—mile radius to make it farm ore inclusive. As she says, “We do live north of the 49th, and our geography imposes limits, so I practice selective, pragmatic self-indulgence instead of deprivation. Fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, olives, vanilla and citrus remain part of my pantry.”

With that focus in mind, Hobsbawn-Smith, who now lives just outside of Saskatoon, asks, “You know your doctor, you know your lawyer, you know your accountant. Who’s your farmer?” Foodshed takes you on a delicious and enlightening journey from A to Z, from Artichokes to Zizania and all the culinary letters in between—think of G for grass fed beef, I for icicle radishes, Q for Quackers, and U for unsalted butter. It puts a face to the food we eat with stories about more than 75 growers and producers, like Doug and Elna Edgar, grower sof 28-acares of asparagus; Paul and Hilda DeJonge who own Broxburn Vegetables and Café and a strawberry u-pick and greenhouses stuffed with spicy hot jalapenos; and Gerwin and Esther Van Deuveren who raise Pekin ducks to supply chefs.

Scattered throughout are lots of photographs as well 26 of Hobsbawn-Smith’s favourite recipes such as Smoked Fish Chowder with Chives, Pork Two Ways, and Tomato, walnut and Cilantro Bruschetta, just to name a few. Each offers an invitation to help you make the most of what farmers, orchardists, fishers and ranchers have to offer. And while the stories are about Alberta growers and producers, their stories are relevant to anyone interested in sustainable eating.

Foodshed is sure to take you on a journey beyond your local farmers market and into the heart of local living.

“You know your doctor, you know your lawyer, you know your accountant. Who’s your farmer?”

DEE HOBSBAWN-SMITH

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~ Megan Clark, Alberta Views

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~ Lee Kvern, Alberta Views

“[Foodshed is] A rich encyclopedia of facts, farm-gate lore and original recipes... a politically engaging narrative in which Hobsbawn-Smith articulates the challenges and joys faced by small-scale producers... don’ t let the alphabet theme fool you. This is no tame nursery rhyme; it is a locavore call to arms.”

~ P.D. Robertson, The Globe & Mail