The New York Times’ Kim Severson @kimseverson shares the story of North Carolina’s “food sisterhood.” Her piece vividly describes a unique and flourishing local food network that incorporates female chefs, farmers, millers, distributors, academics, and others, creating a national “power center for women in food.” Women are “represented in outsize proportions” in the state’s growing local-food movement and in top restaurants.
Severson writes:
“The North Carolina food sisterhood stretches out beyond restaurants, too, into pig farming, flour milling and pickling. Women run the state’s pre-eminent pasture-raised meat and organic produce distribution businesses and preside over its farmers’ markets. They influence food policy and lead the state’s academic food studies. And each fall, the state hosts the nation’s only retreat for women in the meat business.”
Severson’s piece is both informative and lyrical. There are hyperlinks that take you to sites featuring the work of those she’s writing about (perfect for planning a visit of your own). There is also a stunning slideshow. A must read.