Eating Locally & Seasonally: A Community Food Book for Lopez Island (and All Those Who Want to Eat Well)

As the world faces the conundrum of simultaneous hunger and food waste, pandemics, climate change, depletion of natural resources, species extinction, water, soil, and air pollution, and chronic illnesses, we see that individuals can make an enormous difference by the way they live, eat, and treat the world around them. Eating local and seasonally-produced food is probably the most important step because it is a step all of us can take.

Launched at Transition Lopez Island's recent virtual conference, "Continuing the Journey," the book is available in print at the Lopez Bookshop, Sunnyfield Farmstand, the Lopez Library, and Blossom Grocery. In Eastsound, it can be found at Darvill's Bookstore and the Orcas Food Co-op, in Friday Harbor at Griffin Bay Books, and in Bellingham at Village Books in Fairhaven. It can also be ordered online at transi8onlopezisland.org. Out of their commitment to a sustainable future, the authors are offering free downloadable copies (also found on the website).

Accompanying instructional videos based on recipes from the book are available on YouTube. Visit transitionlopezisland.org for a list of local retailers or to order the book directly online. Out of their commitment to a sustainable future, the authors are also offering free downloadable copies on the same website. Accompanying instructional videos based on recipes from the book are available on YouTube.

Elizabeth Simpson grew up on a farm in Hood River, Oregon, and was always involved with gardening, canning, freezing, and making jam. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Oregon and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington, where she later taught and met Henning. Research and education continue to be an integral part of her life. In addition to farming, Elizabeth taught English and sustainable farming classes as a part-time faculty member at Lopez High School. Elizabeth serves as a member of the Future Farm Council.

Henning Sehmsdorf grew up in economically distressed post-war Germany, where he and his siblings survived by growing food in a sizable home garden and by gleaning surrounding fields in exchange for food. In high school, he participated in "harvesting vacations," where students worked the fields and the farmer delivered produce to the school in return. After moving to the U.S., he earned a Ph.D. and taught at the University of Washington. He purchased 10 acres of land on Lopez Island in 1970 and became a full-time farmer in 1994. In 1999, he rejoined WSU as an adjunct professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. He serves on numerous boards and committees related to sustainable agriculture, farming, land stewardship, and education. Henning chairs the Future Farm Council, which aims to transition the farm to community ownership. Henning has been a Mentor Farmer under the apprenticeship program offered by the Biodynamic Farming Association.