Since I started writing this blog even I have been astounded to realize what community cookbooks have meant to our nation. As I write these stories and discuss how much money these books raise and couple that with the historic preservation of the communities, I wonder why every community in the USA doesn’t have at least one local community cookbook.
Community cookbooks began during the Civil War when ladies groups from both sides began raising money to support their local armies through the efforts of collecting local recipes and publishing them. The tradition has carried on through such varied organizations as Junior Leagues, Junior Service Leagues, Church organizations, Historical Societies, Garden Clubs, and youth organizations such as 4-H and Girl Scouts. Money has been raised for museums, children’s hospitals, community gardens, preservation of historic buildings, and the list goes on and on.
Who in your community could stand to have an asset that creates an annual source of revenue for itself and generate pride in the food and people of your town, organization or community? What is holding you back from getting started on a project that will be fun and meaningful for years to come?
I was recently asked to endorse the autobiography of my good friend and founder of Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, (we produced 6 books together for that community) who died suddenly last year. Millard was also co-founder of Favorite Recipes Press along with a gentleman named Morris Dees. Their earliest business success was in publishing community cookbooks—the tradition of these two great men continues today through the various imprints of FRP, Inc. In reading the manuscript for Millard’s autobiography, I learned of organizations who had successfully published cookbooks and some of the causes they championed that I never knew existed. There are so many wonderful people and stories surrounding community cookbooks.
Do you have a favorite community cookbook? I’d love to hear your story.
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