A TIME OF RENEWAL
Spring is always about a sense of renewal—not just for the trees and flowers that line our streets but for our kitchens and markets, too. After months of hearty, slow-cooked meals, we welcome the first delicate greens, bright radishes, and tender asparagus that remind us of what fresh truly tastes like. This issue of Edible Philly celebrates that sense of renewal and connection with the land, the food, and the people who nourish us.
Hannah Howard’s Mother Earth (page 11) focuses on how and why moms are such a powerful force shaping our local food system. Their stories remind us that sustainable, thoughtful food isn’t just about what’s on our plates—it’s about the people and practices behind it. Meanwhile, Marisol Villamil shares a deeply personal essay inspired by the classic film Like Water for Chocolate (page 21). Her reflections are sure to resonate with anyone who finds solace in the movie theater or the kitchen. And just in time for Earth Day, I caught up with participants in the Sustainable Business Network’s recent Food Saver Challenger to find out how we all can fight food waste (page 16).
And as always, we’re excited to introduce you to the newest flavors in town. This spring, Birdhouse Gelato in Queen Village is bringing handcrafted sweetness to the city—just one more reason to savor the season.
Happy eating,
Joy Manning, Editor
COMFORT AND CONVIVIALITY
I don’t know about you, but I’m very much looking forward to spring this year. More than the first of the year, spring always has felt like a time for fresh starts—spring cleaning, spending more time outdoors in the fresh air and the like. I’m eager to put all the seeds I picked up at the Seed Swap at Lundale Farm to good use!
I had the pleasure of attending the PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference last month and I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces and participate in many inspiring conversations. Unfortunately, due to the recent federal funding freeze, the important work of Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) is being threatened—employees are furloughed, PA farmers, community gardens and others do not have access to funds promised to them.
I urge you to join us in taking action to support PASA and others working on important climate and sustainable agriculture projects. Learn more at pasafarming.org.
Coming off an eventful February with the Eagles Super Bowl win and parade, I am still feeling the afterglow from our city coming together to cheer, rejoice and support each other and I’m carrying that sentiment into the rest of 2025. I hope you will too, and that we all continue to celebrate the wonderful diversity of rich flavors and colors our region has to offer.
Here’s to greener days ahead,
Jen Honovic Herczeg, Publisher
