26 Comments
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Mónica Vallin's avatar

Wow how I loved this. I was already thinking about our groceries and our process (as I often do when seasons change or I go on trips), and this dispatch has added fuel to the mulling. It’s also made me miss the Mercado by my grandpa’s house in CDMX, where my family shopped for over 40 years (until he passed and we all scattered). It truly is such a treat to be able to shop like that. It’s not just about the stalls with 20 different chile and mole pastes, or the lady that carries the chocolate brand one likes. It’s the relationships one builds with one’s preferred vendor, the care, the stories. The “I saved you this batch of tomatoes because I know on Wednesdays you make stew and these are great for it.” No supermarket can give you that.

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Makenna Held's avatar

It's like what a certain magazine was attempting to do, and then failed and lost the plot. BRAVO! This is delightful!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

🤣 oh, the things I have to say about that magazine these days…! Thank you so much!

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Dianne Jacob's avatar

It seems so ordinary to talk about shopping, but we do it so much less than cooking, and it is fascinating! Thank you.

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John Frost's avatar

Really like where you appear to be going with this. The contrast of these three is a bit shocking, although not unexpected given the cities they're located in.

I spent a little time, not enough, in Paris circa 1991. It was so pleasant to have nearly everything I would need within a short walk (80% on the same exact block in the 14th arr.). Alas, it's been 30+ years since my Paris stay and my understanding is this has changed. I still dream of retiring to France or Spain, however.

Don't get me started on the way of life suburbia imposes in Orlando, FL. The food shopping experience is a both amazing and depressing. Wish I could move.

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Tarah Ruff's avatar

This was awesome! I’m wrapping up a long, solo trip to nyc and I was thinking about how different it would be to shop/cook/eat here vs back home (very car necessary city in CO). I live for these kind of breakdowns.

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Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Loved this!

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Sarita Gonzalez's avatar

This is FANTASTIC.

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Ana's avatar

love this series already!

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Martin Sorge's avatar

What a wonderful, insightful series about how people procure their groceries.

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Sarah May Grunwald's avatar

Thank you @gillian for specifying the taco places in Rome are as good as places on the EAST coast because as a southern Californian, I still find them laughable.

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Kat Nyman's avatar

Lovvveee this! Excited for this series.

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sarah duignan, phd's avatar

oh this is such a cool series!

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mindy isser's avatar

omg, loved this!!!!

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Anita Darcel Taylor's avatar

For some odd reason your newsletter popped up in my inbox. I read the older piece announcing that your book was available for pre-order. I read just a tad and thought, "This book is a need. Not a want." Bought on the spot. And then year subscription to your newsletter, also on the spot. Now delighting in your work. Looking forward to the book's arrival and marveling in your voice. Thanks for popping in my inbox. I react to words viscerally, and yours took me there.

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

This is the absolute kindest and coolest comment to received. I can’t thank you enough for the support and letting me know.

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mia rdc's avatar

Excellent, and so great to see a shout out to the Central Brooklyn CSA!!

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rebeca pérez gerónimo's avatar

OH! Probably one of my favorite sections so far. Looking forward to more! It has made me tingle with curiosity similar to the way I feel when I dive into other people's shopping selection at the market.

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