Local Heroes

I’m ready to move to Hardwick, VT, after reading today’s story in the Times about how its savvy community of farmers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs are turning this corner of northern Vermont into a sort of innovation laboratory—and reviving the local economy in the process. A great reminder that eating local really can make a difference.

Hardwick is home to one of my favorite quirky little New England gems: Perennial Pleasures, a gardening shop and nursery where British native Judith Kane serves traditional English tea in the lush gardens, where chickens roam around pecking at the grass.

Speaking of local fare, I attended a pizza tasting at the soon-to-open Zing Pizza (so new there’s no website yet!) in my home turf of Porter Square (it’s at 1925 Mass. Ave.). Co-owner Mark Ostow—a photographer who also shoots portraits for this very magazine and, in his spare time, co-runs the excellent cafe in Porter Square Books—says they’ll have a soft opening next week.

The pies I tasted were terrific—simple flatbreads topped with fresh ingredients, plus some of the best roti I’ve had outside of the West Indies. The team is aiming to offer as much organic and, yes, local fare as possible. Be sure to check them out when they open.