September 23, 2026

Teary. Amazing. Love.

Funny what connection can do.

Writer:
Words by
David Cook
Photographer:
Photography by
Sarah Unger

Food as a verb thanks

Tucker Build

for sponsoring this series

One week from today, please join Food as a Verb and Dr. Mark Johnson, one of the South's finest bacon historians — yes, bacon historians — at one of the coolest new places in town for an evening of conversations, questions, laughter and community.

The evening begins at 6.30 at The Reading Room in Brainerd. Mark, a UTC professor, will talk about what he learned writing his most recent book, America Bacon, and I'll talk about what I've learned writing Food as a Verb.

Interested in Food as a Verb's approach to media and community?

Want to learn about the vast, mostly untold and remarkable history of bacon in America?

Want to spend a cozy hour in Chattanooga's only bookstore + bar?

Yeah, me, too. It's free and it's for you.

(Here's some footage of Mark from our conversation on barbecue with Chef Erik Niel.)

Not long ago, when Wendell Berry died, I reached out to Brooks Lamb, a friend of mine and his.

He was caught in grief, but was aiming to sit down and write about his dear friend and mentor soon.

Here's his recent essay, published in BarnRaiser, on Wendell Berry, grief and the call for us to deepen our roots.

It starts with a memory back to the time Brooks visited the Berry front porch in Kentucky.

The rest of the essay is perfect Brooks: thoughtful, clear, loving.

Finally, thanks to all of you who sent kind notes after our Sunday story on Niedlov's mill.

"This made me teary," one friend wrote. "Amazing. Love."

Hey, it hit us that way, too. Teary, amazing, such love for the Zilens, old brother Jeff Cannon and the entire grain economy now being uplifted. (And for Bill Keener, who knows how to ask the right question.)

We have two seats remaining for our special October event: Bake (and Break) Bread Together, which invites all our home bakers into Niedlov's for a tour of the new mill, conversation with the Zilens and — best of all — the chance to bake our own loaf using organic milled grain in the big Niedlov's oven.

More info can be found here.

Have a good week, Food as a Verb family.

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

food as a verb thanks our sustaining partner:

food as a verb thanks our story sponsor:

Tucker Build

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keep reading

September 20, 2026

Introducing Niedlov's New Mill and the Resurrection of Our Local Grain Economy

read more
September 16, 2026

How Long Can You Hold a Beer Stein?

read more

One week from today, please join Food as a Verb and Dr. Mark Johnson, one of the South's finest bacon historians — yes, bacon historians — at one of the coolest new places in town for an evening of conversations, questions, laughter and community.

The evening begins at 6.30 at The Reading Room in Brainerd. Mark, a UTC professor, will talk about what he learned writing his most recent book, America Bacon, and I'll talk about what I've learned writing Food as a Verb.

Interested in Food as a Verb's approach to media and community?

Want to learn about the vast, mostly untold and remarkable history of bacon in America?

Want to spend a cozy hour in Chattanooga's only bookstore + bar?

Yeah, me, too. It's free and it's for you.

(Here's some footage of Mark from our conversation on barbecue with Chef Erik Niel.)

Not long ago, when Wendell Berry died, I reached out to Brooks Lamb, a friend of mine and his.

He was caught in grief, but was aiming to sit down and write about his dear friend and mentor soon.

Here's his recent essay, published in BarnRaiser, on Wendell Berry, grief and the call for us to deepen our roots.

It starts with a memory back to the time Brooks visited the Berry front porch in Kentucky.

The rest of the essay is perfect Brooks: thoughtful, clear, loving.

Finally, thanks to all of you who sent kind notes after our Sunday story on Niedlov's mill.

"This made me teary," one friend wrote. "Amazing. Love."

Hey, it hit us that way, too. Teary, amazing, such love for the Zilens, old brother Jeff Cannon and the entire grain economy now being uplifted. (And for Bill Keener, who knows how to ask the right question.)

We have two seats remaining for our special October event: Bake (and Break) Bread Together, which invites all our home bakers into Niedlov's for a tour of the new mill, conversation with the Zilens and — best of all — the chance to bake our own loaf using organic milled grain in the big Niedlov's oven.

More info can be found here.

Have a good week, Food as a Verb family.

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

Food as a verb thanks our story sponsor:

Food as a Verb Thanks our sustaining partner:

Food as a verb thanks our story sponsor:

Join our table

Regional Farmers' Markets

Brainerd Farmers' Market
Saturday, 10am - noon
Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave, Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Market
Sunday, 11am - 4pm
1820 Carter Street
Dunlap Farmers' Market
Every Saturday morning, spring through fall, from 9am to 1pm central.
Harris Park, 91 Walnut St., Dunlap, TN
Fresh Mess Market
Every Thursday, 3pm - 6pm, beg. June 6 - Oct. 3
Harton Park, Monteagle, TN. (Rain location: Monteagle Fire Hall.)
Hixson Community Farmers' Market
Saturday, 9.30am - 12.30pm with a free pancake breakfast every third Saturday
7514 Hixson Pike
Main Street Farmers' Market
Wednesday, 4 - 6pm
Corner of W. 20th and Chestnut St., near Finley Stadium
Ooltewah Farmers' Market
The Ooltewah Nursery, Thursday, 3 - 6pm
5829 Main Street Ooltewah, TN 37363
Rabbit Valley Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, mid-May to mid-October.
96 Depot Street Ringgold, GA 30736
South Cumberland Farmers' Market
Tuesdays from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. (central.) Order online by Monday 10 am (central.)
Sewanee Community Center (behind the Sewanee Market on Ball Park Rd.)
Walker County Farmers' Market - Sat
Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm
Downtown Lafayette, Georgia
Walker County Farmers' Market - Wed
Wednesday, 2 - 5 pm
Rock Spring Ag. Center