A Slice of Mother Earth

We drove down the coast just south of Pescadero today to visit the farm stand of an inspiring organization dedicated to connecting urban and rural communities with a deeper connection about the origins of food called Pie Ranch.

They operate a cafe in San Francisco that sells pies made only from ingredients that they grow on their farm- though I'm too late in the season, I am fascinated by all the reviews of banana- where'd they get those? Grown here in the Bay Area? The answer will be sure to come in the next few months.

They work to create Pie Ranch as a model of sustainability and to use its programs and activities as a "way to create meaningful and measurable change toward sustainable communities." Like so many things I see around, me it's symbolic. How much measurable change can one little business make? Do they find ways to balance out the shipping costs of the ingredients just over 40 miles up to San Francisco? Awareness is a powerful thing, but how powerful?

It will be put to the test this coming February when I'll ask bloggers, readers and sponsors to come together for this coming February's Sugar High Friday to turn it into a a celebration of the stories of pie and to give our efforts a focus: raising awareness and funds to support the work of this organization.

Dig out your Pyrex and stay tuned!