But of course like many of you I already knew, enjoyed and indeed basked in this knowledge as well as all of the goodness grown here in Michigan. Yet when Jaye Beeler's "Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Food" arrived on our library shelf, I wondered if this read couldn't possibly help me take my localvore habits to the next level. And it has and in far more ways than I expected.
Following an introduction that lays out our authors vision of both the availability of good local food as social justice as well as the premise of a road trip that takes in and then delivers the massive edible diversity Michigan has to offer, "Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Foods" strides off into the field followed by the orchard, the water, the dairybarn, the market, and finally the kitchen. Each of these locales is given its own chapter that moves from road stop to road stop providing gorgeous photos, personal stories from both the author as well as from either the farmers, cooks, and or proprietors in addition to plentiful facts and a list of resources that includes contact, geographic, and purchasing information. Sound like a lot? It is.
Yet at no point does "Tasting and Touring" drag and neither does it attempt to be all encompassing. This is accomplished through Beeler's enthusiasm, obvious passion for good, local food, genuine interest in the stories of those that grow, harvest, produce, and market these foods, and Diane Carroll Burdick's wonderful photos. Additionally, Beeler's decision to introduce the reader to a wide range of foods stopping at only one of each type of grower, producer, or organization rather than attempt to provide an exhaustive list gives the reader a great starting point without overwhelming. This route does though occasionally leave regions of the state short changed and it does become a tad obvious that Beeler is a southwestern Michigander as her road trip frequently lands at such destinations yet despite this singular flaw, "Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Food" is a more than worthwhile read. I might even go so far as to call it mouthwatering.
