Cooking up a country-wide storm
By Chris Simon

Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Photo by Chris Simon Author Margaret Webb spoke at the Innisfil Public Library's Stroud branch last week.

Margaret Webb replanted her roots in Simcoe County, if only for a brief time.

The county-born author and journalist spoke to a group of local residents at the Innisfil Public Library's Stroud branch last week, promoting her book Apples to Oysters: A Food Lover's Tour of Canadian Farms.

Webb travelled across Canada while doing research for the book. She ate at restaurants throughout the country, learning recipes for some of the most famous food items in each province. She also worked on familyowned farms along the way, experiencing first-hand the plight of small produce and livestock companies.

The experience was eyeopening, she said.

"It started in Nova Scotia, when I was standing on a farm and picked a carrot out of the ground," she said, discussing her inspiration for the book. "It was such an amazing carrot, it was grown properly, in composted soil (and) without chemicals and pesticides. It tasted like the food my mom used to grow on her garden, back on our farm. Chefs talk about how a great dish starts with quality ingredients ... we have to start talking about people who grow these ingredients.

"I profiled one farmer for every province, and I picked a signature food."

Webb read passages from the book, and participated in a question and answer session. Apples is a collection of stories from local farmers, and unique recipes, combined into a travelogue format.

"Right now, a lot of people are thinking about what they're eating and where it comes from," said branch manager Debra Mann. "This really taps into that interest. She knows what she's talking about, this is something she's grown up with. It's a fun book to read, it resonates."

The visit gave the library exposure, while also introducing residents to a wellknown local author, she said.

"It's great because she has roots in the community, but also because this (area) has such an interest in writing," said Mann. "There are people who are interested in developing those skills. We're a library, so we're all about literacy. It's just a really good match for us to have author visits."