All in a Name
"Love your magazine, but just curious–why is it titled 'Ojai & Ventura County' when Ojai is IN Ventura County?"
Like the reader who posted this question to our Facebook page, you may have wondered the same thing. We get it.
We are a countywide publication and do give each of the county's 10 cities a shout out along the bottom of the cover, but, yes, why does Ojai get top billing?
As you'd expect, there's a story: The entire Edible community of publications (now numbering over 85 throughout North America) started in 2002 with a quarterly newsletter titled "Edible Ojai" by then–Ojai residents Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian.
Over time, this original publication evolved into a magazine, then expanded to cover all of Ventura County, and ultimately served as the model to launch similar publications across the continent.
Through the years, it's been important to recognize and honor Ojai's significance in the formation of Edible Communities and its importance today in the Ventura County food, beverage and agriculture movement. So "Ojai" remains a prominent part of our title.
When you flip through this issue, you'll see a story on an Ojai hobbyist winemaker and another on making olive oil with Ojai-grown fruit. We also feature a grower who's putting in hydroponic strawberries in Oxnard, a new craft brewery in Westlake Village and a Reserve Cabernet from Thousand Oaks.
We aim to cover the county's food-related happenings from tip to tail. If you know of something related to food, drink or ag happening in your community, we'd love to hear about it. Please drop us a line at info@edibleventuracounty.com.
Here's to celebrating the people countywide who are moving the "real food" movement forward for everyone who's lucky enough to call our area home.
From our Edible Ojai & Ventura County family to yours, wishing you a very happy and healthy 2016!
P.S. If you need a gift any time this season–Valentine's Day, too–check out our Source Guide. It's chock-full of local businesses offering delicious gift-giving ideas.
