Farewell

This has been quite a journey I have been on in the last year and a half.  My mission was to personally make changes in the sources I had previously relied on for my food.  By blogging about these sources, I hoped to provide any readers of this blog, with encouragement, thoughts about the "big picture" of US food provision, ideas on making changes in their lives, and local sources with which to implement those changes.

I have sought out books, magazine and newspaper articles, that have enlightened and challenged as well as entertained me, that dealt with the subject that (stealing a book title) food matters.  It matters where it comes from and why, it matters if it has been genetically, pesticide, or hormonally altered, it matters if and how it is processed, it matters how we share it with one another.

In my search for locally grown products, I have encountered delightful people who for the most part, are trusting to a fault.  Their produce, meat, and eggs are paid for through the honor system.  They love and firmly believe in what they do, and they take great pride in the food that they are providing for themselves and others at the expense of making very little or no profit.

In the year and a half since I started this blog, I have seen great changes in our community.  We are embracing local food production and local farmers markets.  The newspapers and other media are writing articles as well as blogging on this topic and it has become the subject of many of our conversations.  This blog has served its purpose.  Most of the hits my blog receives are from people seeking out specific information on farm stands (Schmucker's Produce Farm, in Harlan, the clear winner there), and u-pick sites.  Any months archive of my posts, will provide seasonal produce information, and can be rummaged through for what is locally available and where it can be found.

In searching out the information for this blog, I have traveled many miles around Allen and its surrounding counties.  I have taken along my husband and friends and I have raved about the beauty of the land we live on (literally).  This county and those surrounding it, although not my homeland, have become very precious to me.  We are a diverse people, and we share this land harmoniously.  It sustains us in every sense of the word.

A huge thank you to my faithful readers and especially to all who provided comments.  They were so encouraging.

Comments

[Ann Hoger]

I, for one, will truly miss following the Crumb Trail. I have read with great interest and delight, the information you have provided. I had not given much thought at all to where our food came from, but you have opened a whole new way of thinking and consuming. For this I thank you. I wish you the best in your future endeavors! God bless!

[Melissa]

I'm sad the Crumb Trail has come to an end! I've really enjoyed "discovering" northern Indiana's offerings through you, and I think you've provided a TERRIFIC reference for anyone interested in becoming more interested in their food! :) Congrats on a job well done, Mom.

[Crumb Trail]

Thanks, your encouragement has been so appreciated.

[Crumb Trail]

Thank you for your kind words and for answering so many of my grammatical questions.