Farm to Table
A (mostly, but not overtly or exclusively) Jewish food blog has come to my attention: Farm to Table. The writer, Zach, covers sustainability from all angles — economic, policy-driven, farming and agriculture, Jewish (and Buddhist!) beliefs supporting the practices, and news in the slow food movement.
The blog is a complement to the TV show by the same name that he produces, but you can enjoy it as a main dish, not just as a side. In the coming weeks I hope to begin a discussion here about sustainability as a Jewish ethic and how that relates to food. Hopefully you’ll find Farm to Table informative and it will prime you to weigh in here when the time comes.
Eating Meat
That novelist of “Everything Is Illuminated: A Novel
Unlike “Everything is Illuminated” — which in my opinion is impossible to read because of the voice he tells it in — the article is written in his own voice and is much more accessible and interesting. (Apologies to fans of the book. I just couldn’t get it done.) He talks about his grandmother’s obsession with food (“We believed in our grandmother’s cooking more fervently than we believed in God.”) and his arrival at vegetarianism (a central topic in his forthcoming book). Score one for good Jewish boys that care about food.
Hazon Food Conference
The early (read: discounted) registration period may have ended a week ago, but there are still spots available. Why go?
Come together to explore the dynamic interplay of food, Jewish tradition and contemporary life. The Hazon Food Conference is at the forefront of a national movement that explores the intersection of Jewish life and contemporary food issues. Conference themes focused on Jewish food culture, cutting edge food law and policy, food justice, kosher meat issues, health and nutrition, cooking and gardening, and Israeli food and agriculture.
Don’t miss four days of do-it-yourself food workshops, cooking demonstrations, lectures, discussions, kids and family activities, joyful Shabbat celebrations, and of course, delicious and consciously prepared food.
If you’re Jewish and like food, AND can capitalize on knowing that nothing gets done during the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year, then I say why not go?! I can’t think of one good reason not to. Plus: Monterey, California. Cal-i-forn-i-ay.
Conference runs from 3 p.m. on December 24th- 1 p.m. on December 27th.
And if you’re going, let me say once more: Pack me in your suitcase please?? Register now!
Cheers to a delicious week! -SMR
(Update: TC Jewfolk now has an Amazon.com Associates account which gives us 4-10% of a sale if you purchase any of the above-mentioned books by clicking on the links in this article. We appreciate your support.)
