Untangled Vine

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rep. Kaptur about The Farmer's Market Infrastructure act. She was gracious and candid. I was impressed by her passion and patience to grant me this interview considering the multitude of big issues she is dealing with right now, including: Our communities largest employer declaring bankruptcy 24 hours earlier, the temporary shutdown and reorganization of our own Erie Street Market, her re-election, and her first meeting with our newly elected mayor since he took office last month. That was all on Saturday!. We began the interview at 9am, and she had to cut it short due to scheduling constraints, she offered to call me back after 6pm. Sure, I thought, assuming that she wouldn't have time, but at 8pm last night, my phone rang, and she answered every question I asked. For me, that was a breath of fresh air from an elected official. By contrast, I asked Mayor-Elect Finkbeiner's (Photo-right) office if I could be of any assistance in regards to creating food or wine events downtown, or advising on any food community changes, and here is the form letter I received 6 weeks later:

Dear Adam:

Thanks for communicating.

Believe in Toledo. And stay in touch!

Yours from Toledo – an All-America City!



Carleton S. Finkbeiner
Mayor



Yeah, I know! You are welcome! Glad I could help, kay, bu-bye...


I am writing an article for The Toledo Free Press, after I finish some more research on locally grown food throughout the country. I am most interested in whether or not large national grocery chains tend to at least offer local food products. Rep. Kaptur indicated that large contarcters, growers and distributors dominate selection in practically every mid-size city and smaller in this country.

To be continued...

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 at 2:08 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.