Author Archives: Margaret Collins

About Margaret Collins

Margaret is a professional writer and editor with a checkered past including solar energy, the wine industry, and bread making. After receiving her BA at Cornell University in Narrative Writing, she traveled extensively before returning to her native Boston. She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Urban Agriculture, Spring Fair Style

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Margaret Collins

This past weekend was the spring instance of a fair I wrote about last fall. ”Get Growing” was a nucleus of urban agriculture education within Mayfair, a large and well-established annual street festival in Harvard Square. One of the biggest problems … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainable food | 2 Comments

Sustainable…beer?

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Margaret Collins

It does defy the imagination: like all beverages in heavy containers, distribution seems like it must cancel out any efforts towards environmental responsibility lower down on the production chain. But those efforts do add up. Last weekend, I wandered by … Continue reading →

Posted in Local food, Sustainable food | 2 Comments

Nourishing Words: Opting Out of Black Friday

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Margaret Collins

Things have been a little hectic in my world and thus a little slow on this blog, but fortunately, I’ve still got my favorite sustainable food writers to read to keep me thinking. Eleanor Baron at Nourishing Words always writes … Continue reading →

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Cambridge’s Urban-Ag Fair

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Margaret Collins

Farmers’ markets, farm stands, pick-your-own orchards and food fairs always come into their own in September in New England, which is the only time here when the harvests of two different seasons overlap. The third annual Urban-Ag Fair in Harvard … Continue reading →

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The Porch Garden

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Margaret Collins

I am no horticulturalist, nor is my thumb particularly green. But for the first time, I’ve been home for a full growing season and have attempted to make use of what small outdoor space is allotted to me in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Local food | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Eating Ithaca

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Margaret Collins

Few things in the world please me as much as fresh food, well prepared. Eating local is a good way to up the chances of flavor-packed food–plus, it comes with those nice socially responsible benefits like a lower carbon footprint … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Local food | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Food Production Meets State Protectionism

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Margaret Collins

This little blurb from a Long Island news site caught my eye, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought, “Why yes, it’s about time!”: The bill (S.2468), sponsored by Senator Thomas Libous (R-C-I, Binghamton), requires state … Continue reading →

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Overcoming Inertia

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Margaret Collins

Spring in New England is always an adventure. Some years we go straight from sleet to beach days. Some years–like this one–we get weeks and weeks of cool, breezy-sunny-damp weather. Tulips and redbuds and dogwoods and lilac and fruit trees … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Defining Sustainable Food

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Margaret Collins

The Atlantic posted an article today about what Associate Editor Daniel Fromson calls “the biggest problem” of sustainable food: its lack of a clear definition. Myself, I’m not sure this is the biggest problem. It’s a work in progress, which … Continue reading →

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Spring Desserts: Mocha Meringues, Berries & Custard Cream

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Margaret Collins

Whether you celebrate Passover or Easter or just plain old wonderful spring, the egg remains the symbol of life and renewal. The two following recipes are a perfect match: one uses the whites, the other the yolks, and their flavors … Continue reading →

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