Think about it
Edible Austin is all about food. But is also (and just as importantly) about supporting the building of a deep local economy using local food as the driver. Think about it:
• When you hand the Starbucks clerk a $5 bill, say good-bye. It’s on its way to Seattle. When you hand a locally owned coffee shop your money, a much higher portion of that re-circulates in the Austin economy.
• When you choose the big brands, you are enriching corporations and their shareholders. When you select local products—especially at locally owned food stores like Farm to Market and Thom’s Market, as well as at Whole Foods Market, H-E-B and elsewhere—you are creating local jobs.
• When you purchase directly from the farmers market or farm stand, you are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and chemically addicted industrial agricultural corporations…and you are building community as you meet and establish ongoing relationships with those local vendors.
• When you dine at one of our many independent restaurants—especially those who source local food—you are supporting the entire local food and supply chain. When you dine at chain restaurants, you are likely sending your dollars to some remote location for food and supplies that have traveled back and forth across the globe.
TAKE THE EDIBLE CHALLENGE: For the next week, use cash for all your food and restaurant purchases. Don’t use a discount card. As you hand over your hard-earned money, think about: WHO are you handing it to? WHERE is it going? HOW MUCH of it will stay in Austin, re-circulating and building a vibrant, deep local economy?
ABOUT THE COVER Chip Tate of Balcones Distillery standing outside the distillery. Photograph by Dustin Meyer.
Publisher’s Note
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Notable Edibles
Green Bucket Composting, El Naranjo, Snap Kitchen, Shared Earth, Changos and Manuels.
Marketplace
Salt & Time
People
Rene Ortiz
A man committed to family, food and the future.
Farmer’s Diary
Johnson’s Backyard Garden
Traveling the road less paved.
Edible Nation
Livelihoods at risk in the Gulf coast.
What’s in Season
Persimmons in Texas
A storied and versatile fruit grows in Texas.
Imbibables
The New Face of Corn Whiskey
Balcones Distillery livens up the spirit world with Baby Blue.
Melting Pot
Beyond the Schnitzel
Local and authentic German fare breaks stereotypes.
People
Danika Boyle.
Back of the House
The Highball.
Cooking Fresh
Eating Raw
Local chefs take the heat out of the kitchen.
Kale with Spirulina, Courtesy of Chef Torie Wiley
Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowl, Courtesy of Chef Dave Myers, Daily Juice
Pasta Raw Fredo, Courtesy of Chef Marcus Antilla
Red Bell Pepper and Cashew Queso, Courtesy of Chef Marcus Antilla
Creamy Carrot Coconut Shooters, Courtesy of Chef Susan O’Brien, Hail Merry
Green Smoothie, Courtesy of Chef Marcus Antilla
Live Vegan Whipped Cream, Courtesy of Chef Arielle Webb, Yummy Living Foods
Edible Destination
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country.
Tipsy Texan
Whiskey a go-go.
In Your Own Backyard
Unity Community Garden.
Seasonal Plate
Behind the Vines
Haak Vineyards and Winery.
Edible Gardens
Herb appeal.
La Casita de Buen Sabor
Cheese balls.
Root Causes
When plants retire.
Sustainable Food Center
Teaching balance.
Seasonal Muse
Just between us…
Department of Organic Kids
What’s on your plate?
Eat Wild
Black walnuts.
Art de Terroir
Romare Bearden.
