Whoa. What just happened?

We’re hours from sending this magazine to print, and in one week the whole world has changed. We’d been paying attention for a while now, and our concern was growing, but as events began disappearing from our calendar, travel and sports were cancelled, schools and universities shuttered, the Marathon postponed, restaurants closing and what certainly looks like self quarantine for the entire nation, the sunny springtime we’d been waiting for looks a whole lot different. Instead of a season full of parties and picnics, we’ve got a big, collective pause.

I was inches away from postponing the release of this issue and waiting for a more opportune time. I’m not even sure how we’re going to get it to you. Come to think of it, how did you get your hands on this copy? I’m way back here in the middle of March wondering how our usual distribution system will function when so many of our advertising partners—local small businesses and the peripheral food community—are closing their doors temporarily, but with no idea for how long. They’re our lifeblood and our whole reason for being. It’s worrisome to say the least.

But then I looked back at all this lovely, sunny content and realized there couldn’t be a more perfect time for you to be stuck inside with these particular stories. Three of our features, written back before the world turned upside down, speak to this moment in significant ways. Lisa Zwirn took a look at Walden Local Meat’s unique food distribution system (home delivery of meat, fish and eggs up and down the eastern seaboard), while Margaret LeRoux profiled seven other food delivery businesses— four dairies and three “just about everything you need” buyers’ clubs bringing the best of local food to customers’ doorsteps—no social distancing required. And for our Q+A, Alison Arnett interviewed David Waters, the CEO of Community Servings, in his 20th year delivering nutritionally-specific meals to homebound people with chronic illness. What could be more timely or relevant than that?

These pages also contain stories you can put in the bank and save for later: Use Adam Ried’s Soup and Sandwich Soirée recipes just as soon as we’re able to entertain again. Start planning your Easter and Passover meals with Catrine Kelty’s egg story. Plant some peas in a bucket while you’re stuck at home and then use the recipes from What’s In Season as soon as they pop up. Join a cookbook club at your local public library when it reopens—choose from one of the many listed in Karen Bento’s story or go to our website for a more comprehensive list. Read all about 826 Boston’s efforts in the Boston Public Schools helping students write their own cookbooks, then plan on supporting that wonderful organization when their soon-to-be-rescheduled fundraiser happens this fall. Do some online ordering and get some coffee from the three independent roasters Alex Tzelnic profiled. Buy a few bottles of hot sauce from Milton by way of Jamaica—they’ll sure add some pizzaz to your canned bean supper! Send away for some artisan vinegar made in Lowell from local craft beer and cider to season your spring salads. Then, once we’re out and about again, head to Lynn for organic pasta; go to Medford for queue-worthy bagels; put one of Wooden Noodle’s Worcester-based ramen pop-ups on your calendar and taste specialties from around the world at Bow Market’s Nibble Kitchen.

In times like these, the strength of our local food system is even more important—and we’re seeing now how fragile it can be, too. Buying local food and drink puts money directly back into our communities. Supporting our local farmers means their farmland stays in use and isn’t razed for another shopping plaza or office park. Frequenting locally owned restaurants and cafés, neighborhood markets, breweries and distilleries means our economy stays robust, we see our friends and neighbors and we enjoy life just a bit more. Where would we be without them? What would greater Boston and Worcester County look like if our favorite places don’t survive?

So: This means a commitment from you, a pledge to #supportlocal as soon as you can. Sign up for your CSA now and put your town’s farmers market dates on the calendar so you don’t miss a single one. Buying gift cards and ordering meal delivery helps get much-needed funds to the businesses who need it most, and soon, while they’re on hiatus or adjusting to their new reality. And speaking of those in need, use this time at home to make a volunteering plan with your family—organizations like the Greater Boston Food Bank, Community Servings, The Food Project and more will need helping hands once things get back to normal. It’s a community effort, and we’re all in this together.

Wash your hands, stay well, take a deep breath and cook something with the people you love.

Peace.

Sarah Blackburn