In his book In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, bestselling author and activist Michael Pollan advises, “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”

Our March issue, which explores the concept “Food Matters,” arrives at an exciting time for Milwaukee. A local food renaissance has taken hold, aligned with the national grassroots movement to regain control of what we put in our bodies and return our eating and food procurement toward more natural, ancestral ways. Milwaukee is now brimming with bakers, food artisans, farmers and gardeners—all striving to provide chemical- and additive-free, quality products made from basic ingredients that our great-grandmothers would easily recognize as food.

In this issue we catch up on the regional “good food” trend with Growing Power’s Will Allen, known by many as the father of urban agriculture, sharing his take on the future of nutrition and its influence in creating strong communities. Founded in 1993, Allen’s pioneering urban farming model has since been duplicated and creatively adapted to citizens’ needs. Here, volunteers are turning vacant lots throughout the city into thriving gardens that not only provide healthy food at accessible prices but also serve as social hubs for all ages.

Younger generations are among those stepping up to help secure the future of the food supply. Teens participate in area garden programs, and Milwaukee Public Schools plan to introduce a culinary arts program into four high schools in the 2016-17 school year. The Emmy-nominated Milwaukee Public Television show Wisconsin Foodie, now in its eighth season, regularly features farms and food-related businesses run by young entrepreneurs. Episodes often end with scenes from a social event where local eats and drinks are being enjoyed by all, highlighting how real food nourishes the body and soul and brings people together.

I’m sure our great-grandmothers would be proud.

In real food solidarity,

Gabriella Buchnik, Publisher