What started 20 years ago as a 16-page, one-color, threehole- punched newsletter celebrating farms and food in the tiny town of Ojai in Ventura County has blossomed into nearly 90 independently owned, hyper-locally-focused food publications all across the United States and Canada. You hold in your hands the debut issue of one of the newest: Edible San Fernando Valley.

Whether this is your first experience with an Edible magazine or you’ve been a supporter for years, welcome! Our mission today is much as it was 20 years ago: to celebrate and champion the local food and drink bounty of each Edible’s particular area and the people who produce it. Look for copies each season at your local farmers’ market or other places where food lovers gather. Better yet, buy a subscription and a copy will magically arrive in your mailbox every season.

What brought me to this milestone moment? Long long ago, in a world that feels far far away, I moved from the Central Coast to Northridge to attend Cal State, Northridge (CSUN). While there, I worked as a server in a chain restaurant on Devonshire and a barista at a local coff ee roaster, both of which have long since closed. After graduation, I taught at Dearborn Elementary for LAUSD while I studied for my master’s degree. During that season, I met my future husband in Sherman Oaks and we lived in a little apartment near the university until we moved to Simi Valley for work. Though my stint of residency in the Valley was relatively short, being just over the hill has allowed me to continue to experience so much of what the region has to off er, including hikes, farmers’ markets, local food and community.

Almost four years ago, when I took over publishing the original title, Edible Ojai & Ventura County, it was always in my “five-year plan” to start a Valley edition to highlight and celebrate this local food community. Now, despite challenges during COVID lockdowns, we are serendipitously here, even ahead of (my self-imposed) schedule!

In this inaugural issue, which happens to coincide with the upcoming holiday season (October through December), we thought we’d share a little of what we are about with a nod toward modified gatherings (“The Great Cookie Exchange”), twists on traditions, (“Ten Ways to Turkey”) and environmentally friendly gifting tips (“Plastic-Free Holidays”). Even more noteworthy are the stories of local artisans, establishments and advocates who are changing the world with their work (even if just for a few people at a time).

I hope that you will also take special notice of those who choose to advertise with us, as we are careful to curate businesses that care about the environment and the people within it and whose owners align with our vision of a compassionate community. Readers who support those businesses help us tell the stories of this region.

Dear reader, I can’t tell you how excited I am to eat, drink and think my way through the Valley and surrounding areas. I hope you can (virtually) join me!

Tami

Publisher and Editor