Seeking Suggestions for Good Food in the Heartland

[Devotay]

Hi all.

Been away a long time - very busy writing and speaking and doing book tour stuff. The 1st book has been such a success the publisher has asked me to do a sequel. So I'm returning to ask y'all for more recommendations.

eGullet members were a big help in finding stories for A Cook's Journey, so I'm hoping that folks will once again chime in with names and places, food and farms all over the midwest. I seek people who "walk the walk" of Slow Food ideals, whether they are actual members of the movement or not.

From Ohio to Oklahoma to North Dakota, the new book will tell the stories of the people who feed us well. Chefs, farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers winemakers, brewers, bakers, etc. etc., anyone and everyone who produces and/or promotes Good, Clean, Fair food.

Drop a suggestion here, or join my Facebook group for the purpose here. I can't wait to hear from you all!

[emilyr]

Here are a few of my favorite in Mid-Missouri:

In my hometown, Moberly, MO, (and actually just down the road from my childhood home) is DanJo Farms.

In and around Columbia, are Patchwork Family Farms and Sho-Me Farms, both of which have really great meat! And the Columbia Farmer's Market is pretty great and trying to expand. They're working on a stimulus project for a permanent pavilion (I see you're on Facebook, too. They have a great group on there).

I don't know if any of these are actually part of the Slow Food Movement, but they do basically follow the guidelines as far as I can tell.

If you're going for more of a gourmet tourism thing, Burger's Smokehouse in California, MO, is a pretty good tour from all I hear.

[Devotay]

Great stuff Emily, thank you!

[NancyH]

Devotay - you must stop into Jonathon Sawyer's Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland! www.thegreenhousetavern.com. Also Matt Mathlage's Light Bistro (http://www.lightbistro.com) and Steve Shimoler's Crop Bistro. http://www.cropbistro.com/

[Jaymes]

Here are a few of my favorite in Mid-Missouri:

In my hometown, Moberly, MO, (and actually just down the road from my childhood home) is DanJo Farms.

In and around Columbia...

Also in Columbia, MO, is Patric Chocolate

And I thank Joiei for letting me know about this amazing chocolate.

[joiei]

Jaymes didn't tell you about Askinoise chocolates in Springfield, MO. I haven't turned her on to that one yet. Saving it to be a reason to get together with her and share a meal in some obscure little town halfway between Tulsa and Houston, oh God, that means Tyler, Maybe I can talk her into Paris.

[Alex]

West Michigan has an active local-foods circle. If you PM me I can give you an introduction to these folks, from whom I buy regularly:

Lubbers Family Farm (I'm part of their cow share program)

Crane Dance Farm

Grassfields Cheese (and meats)

And here's our local food guide.