Big happenings! This is our 60th issue since our founding in 2008 and it coincides with the introduction of our new name edible Southeastern Massachusetts, or edibleSEMA. We decided on this name change to better describe the entire community we cover, coverage that includes over 50 towns and cities sandwiched between Boston, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. And we want to encompass all the aspects of the coverage area, both land and sea. Our new name recognizes the interconnectedness of the entire region—coasts, farms, suburbs, and cities—to each other and the greater Southeastern Mass area.
Coastal and farming communities are lovely, but we also strive to share important and meaningful stories of our more urban areas; this is their magazine too. Four of the state’s top ten largest cities are located within edibleSEMA-land: Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Quincy. And closely following are Taunton, Weymouth, and Attleboro.
Founded with the belief that food choices do make a difference—to our health; to the health of our planet; and to the enjoyment of life, edibleSEMA started as edible South Shore, then added South Coast in 2013. The current name change is a natural progression in embracing all those committed to a sustainable, local food culture in our region. An interesting tidbit: edibleSEMA is a member of Edible Communities, the largest media organization devoted to the local food movement—the largest! We are happy to have a super local focus and are committed to bringing you the important stories of so many in our area who keep the locavore train moving down the tracks.
In this issue we will focus on Massachusetts’ state fruit and our area’s most prolific crop—the cranberry. We also explore Cape Verdean food, local food purveyors, and the winner of the BuzzAround recipe contest. As our tagline suggests, there is an abundance of food and drink to celebrate in Southeastern Massachusetts. And here at edibleSEMA, we will continue to report on the celebration of our area’s unique, multi-faceted cultures.
Eat thoughtfully,
Terry Vandewater, Assistant Editor
Laurie Hepworth & Michael Hart