Edible Vineyard, the quarterly magazine that has celebrated the Island food scene since 2009 with stories, recipes and photography, is seeking new ownership.
Edible Vineyard, the quarterly magazine that has celebrated the Island food scene since 2009 with stories, recipes and photography, is seeking new ownership.
Founding publishers Sam and Ali Berlow told the Gazette this week they are inviting expressions of interest from potential buyers for the magazine and related print and digital assets. In addition to the print magazine and website, ediblevineyard.com, Edible Vineyard produces an annual food guide and recently launched a phone app at mvfoodguide.com.
“We have loved and nurtured this magazine for more than five years, but the time has come to turn its care over to others who share its vision and values so it can continue to grow,” Mr. Berlow said.
He declined to provide an asking price, and said he is more concerned with finding new owners who are committed to the Island and passionate about its local food culture. Expressions of interest may be sent to [email protected].
Edible Vineyard launched its first issue in the spring of 2009, just as the local food movement began sweeping the country. Ali Berlow, who co-founded and was then executive director of the Island Grown Initiative, said one goal was bringing attention to the people who put food on Vineyard tables.
“In Edible Vineyard we want to bring you interesting stories about the Island’s local food scene. Stories about the farmers and fishermen — as well as the cooks, the chefs, the grocers, and you, the eaters,” she wrote in the inaugural issue. “We’ll take a peek behind the curtain about how the food on your plate got there — from nose to tail, cheek to fin, farm to fork, and everything in between. It’s that thing called food that nourishes and sustains our families and our Island. This is what connects us to the land, to the sea, and to each other.”
The magazine is distributed free of charge at multiple locations on the Island and by subscription off-Island. The Vineyard Gazette Media Group has been the magazine’s advertising representative since last year.
The magazine is a member of Edible Communities, a network of similar magazines around the country.
Comments
While the goals were laudable
Ho Hum Martha's VineyardWhile the goals were laudable of promoting the local food scene here on Martha's Vineyard, the reality was the content was more about promoting their friends and the same old tired farmers. Genuine editorial research and digging for the micro farmer who was doing real creative work was scarce. How many articles about Morning Glory Farm was the market going to bear? Fact checking was lazy and an after thought. The priority seemed to be soft focus pictures of yet another lamb. It was too bad the actions never matched the goals. We look forward to new ownership and a direction truly sensitive to the whole local food scene, not just their friends.
If "Ho Hum" is really so
Island Summer Resident EdgartownIf "Ho Hum" is really so jaded about Vineyard Life why comment at all? Edible Vineyard has given me a nice entertaining read, great recipes and access to ideas where to shop for local food. If everything has already been said about local farmers then why not give the farmers a voice and let them write articles about themselves especially if they can't afford to advertise? I have noticed that the ads are usually the same so if the ad revenue is not very strong then perhaps some work can be recouped by asking farmers to write about themselves and their growing ideas. And why attack Morning Glory Farm as "tired"? They are the only organic source of food on the Island and deserved to be recognized.
MG is "the only organic
Not A Commentor AquinnahMG is "the only organic source of food on the the island..."?
Wow.
Morning Glory Farm is
Island Summer Resident EdgartownMorning Glory Farm is Morganic, that means More Than Organic or Better than organic. Everything they grow is better than organic, "More" than organic Morganic. Where else can you get Organic Sweet Corn? They feed the island Morganically.
I believe that 'Morganic' is
Farmer5 chilmarkI believe that 'Morganic' is a word/designation coined by Morning Glory Farm to describe the products that they grow organically. This is because the federal government has co-opted the use of the word 'organic' and requires certification for its use in labelling.
Many, many of the Island's gardeners and farmers large and small grow their products entirely according organic methods but opt for any number of reasons not to go through a lengthy certification process.
There is no better or safer method than organic agricultural practices and Morganic makes no claims to the contrary either way.
Buying a magazine in 2014 is
H. Hefner The PastBuying a magazine in 2014 is like buying the Titanic just after it hit the iceberg.
The magazine was always, from
Observer Vineyard HavenThe magazine was always, from the first issue, beautifully produced ie: layout and photography. Content was good but unfortunatly too specialized to attract a wide range of advertisers. Why does a builder advertise in a food magazine? Because they appreciate the cause more than the audience. The advertiser's money is basicly wasted in such a publication and it will eventually dry up. Speaking of advertising, "The Vineyard Gazette Media Group has been the magazine’s advertising representative since last year." What does that tell u. There was never enough ad revenue for the publication or the vaunted Vineyard Gazette Media Group. The way to make a small fortune in the publishing business is to start out with a large one. And they (the Gazette) certainly have that. Do u suppose the new buyer will want to look at thei magazine's Profit & Loss statement? Fat Chance. Cheers!
H. Hefner betrays a lack of
Hyper-niched The PresentH. Hefner betrays a lack of understanding about hyper-niche print publishing today. Especially in sectors such as food, readers still appreciate the sense of artifact you can only find in a well-crafted print publication. And if done correctly, these media offer a singular, cost-effective and efficacious way for small businesses to reach these appreciative readers. There are many, many examples of thriving publications in these kinds of hyper-niches, especially in regard to local content.
To Observer: It's all about readership and demographics. If Edible Vineyard is delivering desirable readers, the magazine is not limited by its content. That said, it's too bad Edible Vineyard delegated its most critical function—establishing partnerships with its advertisers—to the daily. That was a colossal error. Best of luck to all concerned.
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