The blog is running, the magazine is ruminating, and I have a new section to introduce. I will be editing and running a section called Local Flavor. We will be reporting on all those food-oriented events that Ann Arborites put together. We will give you restaurant reviews and comparisons, grocery store discoveries, market advice, and anything else we find in the area that we think will please your palette. We will be scouting for the best food deals in town to match the student budget that helps to make frozen burritos so tempting.

Now for some propaganda:  per capita, we have one of the most food-conscious cities in the country (no citation here, just a hunch), but I’m not sure that UM students are as involved as the rest of the city. I think there’s a gap to fill. Why don’t we have a farmer’s market on campus? Why are grocery stores so scarce? I visited Toronto this summer and the University district has more grocery stores than we have sandwich shops. I was unpleasantly jealous. The grocery store deficiency is not a problem that we can solve today, but I have a plan. Henceforth, I am making it my mission to bring a thriving food culture to UM students. If we bring the culture, you can supply the demand, and capitalism will bring us our grocery stores (an interesting conclusion, no?). If that fails, at the very least we’ll eat lots and lots of delicious food.

Returning to reality, we have a few articles on the way, including a series of Picky Eater’s Guides to local restaurants, interviews with Ann Arbor coffee purveyors and tips for anyone considering a job in the restaurant business. Stay tuned for journalism that will make your taste buds tingle.

Ramen Noodles and EZ-Mac shouldn’t be the only staples in a college student’s kitchen. Lets face it, besides easy, prepackaged meals many of us have no idea what exactly what we should be stocking our cupboards with. For all of you who empathize with this, the following is a general guideline for what you might need to pick up on your next trip to the grocery store. 


Baking Staples: Flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder are the most common ingredients used in baking. Your kitchen should contain most of these items, as they are often required in all types of recipes.


Fats and Oils: Butter, cooking spray, olive and vegetable oil have multiple purposes and are used for everything from sautéing vegetables to making your favorite chocolate chip cookies.


Spices: Cinnamon, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and red pepper can help add some flavor to most dishes. Depending on your taste preferences and...