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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Eating in Season
 Today's blog entry comes from Julienne Gehrer, an Editorial Director for Hallmark Cards, Inc., the parent company of Hallmark Magazine. Julienne is passionate about eating locally and in season, and unlike most of us, she took this passion and did something with it. She created a cookbook called In Season, which celebrates the in-season concept with recipes, and also documents the story of the historic Kansas City Market.
Here's what Julienne wrote to me:
"I began visiting farmers' markets not just for the produce, but for what the experience produced in me. The burst of seasonal colors gave me a visual feast, the crisp morning air underscored the snap of just-picked vegetables, and the contrast of shoppers and growers piqued my curiosity. Where else could you see a tattooed man in cargo pants buying heirloom tomatoes from a Mennonite woman in a bonnet?
"Then the memories flooded in...walking with Grandpa between towering rows of corn...shelling peas in Grandma's kitchen...pantry shelves lined with jars of pickled beets.
"Each food had a memory, each farmer had a history, and each shopper was making a connection with the person who grew the food. I heard a story longing to be told and saw a natural way to pair it with practical advice and helpful recipes.
"For years I visited local markets, then branched out to neighboring states. On family vacations, I crept out of hotel rooms before dawn just to experience other markets. Finally, I was given what every journalist needs--a deadline. The historic Kansas City market was preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary. This was the time to produce the book.
"In short order, I engaged a friend (and talented designer) as a creative partner. The market had hired a local photographer to capture the current season, so I convinced him to stretch the assignment to include food photography and market shots of the growers.
"To keep the story local, I hired a Kansas City printer and required her to keep the book binding local, too. An area wine merchant agreed to provide wine pairings for the entrees and a Hallmark artist created the hand lettering. From conception through creation, the entire book was produced like the crops--local.
"In Season was created as a way to help people cook with the rhythm of the seasons and connect with the farmers who grow our food. The stories are local, but they are retold and relived at farmers' markets across the country."
The book's contributors:
Deb Connors has been the Market Master at the City Market since June, 2003. She was named Farmers’ Market Champion of the Year by the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association in 2005. She currently holds a mayor-appointed position on the Kansas City Missouri Health Department’s Food Protection Advisory Board.
George Denniston, Jr. is a freelance event and scenic photographer often on assignment for the Missouri Division of Tourism. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Ozarks Magazine, Kansas City Homes and Gardens, and on city websites for St. Louis, St. Joseph, Hermann and Kansas City.
Peter Noth is a Senior Lettering Artist for Hallmark Cards, Inc. where he has created original lettering for a variety of greeting card and gift products since 1982. Peter uses both old-world techniques and computer design to produce a wide range of stylings. One of his specialties includes hand-lettered Gothic text embellished with Italian gold leaf.
Marshall Rimann has been a popular area wine merchant since 1983. He currently owns three stores and has been included in the Food & Wine magazine list of “Top Wine Shops in America” for three consecutive years. Marshall conducts wine seminars, serves as a wine consultant for the Culinary Center of Kansas City and hosts “The Wine Cellar,” a weekly radio show on News Radio KMBZ.
Stephanie Spatz-Ornburn has worked for the City Market since May 1998 and is currently Director of Marketing & Events. She has also served as Vice President and Director of Friends of the City Market, a non-profit organization that aids in the promotion and preservation of the historic market.
Donna Van Hooser is a Consulting Designer for Hallmark Cards, Inc., where she has designed greeting cards and other products since 1988. In addition to other freelance work, Donna creates large-scale Italian glass mosaics for personal enjoyment as well as private commissions. Her mosaics have been featured in The Kansas City Star Magazine.
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