08/19/2005
Props to Penzey's!
Penzey's is a small spice company out of Wisconsin with several retail stores, a mail order catalog, and an online store. They recently started a cooking magazine called One and put out their inaugural issue. Readers have been emailing me about a certain family they decided to feature in the magazine, a gay couple with a pre-teen daughter and a set of triplets they had through a surrogate mother.
I haven't been able to read the article as it's not on their site, but this picture is posted (which I'm assuming is the family) along with their recipe for "Monster Cookies".
I'm hearing now that Penzey's (which readers have also said offers superb products) is experiencing a huge amount of backlash from you know who for featuring this family in their magazine. They tag their magazine as "the food magazine by and for everyone." I can't think of a better reason to write Penzey's and show them some support.
(thanks william, jim)
Posted 3:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs, Food & Drink | Permalink
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I posted a link to this at my online food forums, and will write up an entry at my blog as well. I was happy to go to Penzey's "Letter to the Editor" page and add my voice of support, telling them that I pray that the love outweighs the inevitable hate from the "Christian Taliban" (George Monbiot's phrase).
Cheers!
Posted by: Tana | Aug 19, 2005 3:34:13 PM
We have been buying Penzey's spices for years for the outstanding quality of their spices. Thanks for the tip Andy, just got a subscription to support them.
Posted by: KP | Aug 19, 2005 3:51:45 PM
I'll have to try them out. Anyone who finds that ad offensive has far too much time on their hands.
Posted by: James | Aug 19, 2005 3:53:28 PM
I was turned on to Penzeys spices recently and can't say enough good things about them.
I Googled to find a post at another blog that gives a little more detail about the article (including the first paragraph of the article) and provides a little context about the the head of Penzeys. Sounds like a great guy.
http://flashtopian.blogspot.com/2005/08/penzeys-and-small-steps.html
Great post, Andy.
Posted by: Dante | Aug 19, 2005 3:54:18 PM
Another great reason to support this company. I've been ordering from their catalog for years. The products are really incredible and now I've got another reason to support them. Thanks for making me aware of their article.
Posted by: Brent | Aug 19, 2005 4:28:54 PM
WOW
Posted by: Roy | Aug 19, 2005 4:35:59 PM
I love these posts. It's a great opportunity to show your support for a company that is showing support for us. It takes a couple of minutes to write an email, yet the combined effect if every person supporting equality writes will far outweigh the hatred being generated by religious zealots.
Thanks Andy, keep them up!!
Posted by: Lewis | Aug 19, 2005 4:54:52 PM
Count me in (you can never have too much cinnamon sugar)!
Posted by: Michael | Aug 19, 2005 5:07:33 PM
I have the new magazine and read the article. It's a great article which is about them and other couples adopting kids. The section in no way tries to make a "gay statement" but, simply features the two guys as, "just another couple" adopting - which is the way the article should be. I think the outrage is totally stupid. I emailed them my support.
Posted by: Stevie | Aug 19, 2005 5:17:18 PM
Penseys is the shit: I live about 3 blocks from one of their retail spots in the twin cities, and when they opened up it changed my appreciation of spices and food forever. It's incredible how much more oomph! they pack into their jars as compared to a grocery brand. Awesome stuff - plus they have a bunch of great predone mixes that taste amazing and really add life to whatever meat or rice you're cooking. Chicago steak seasoning changes a burger forever. They are really one of those small companies worth supporting.
Posted by: duckluck | Aug 19, 2005 6:57:05 PM
Maybe 'cause it's Friday afternoon but Duckluck made me laugh; I imagined his opening line as a caption for the pic above! Seriously, though, Andy - I copied your text & the pic & emailed it to all my peeps (with appropriate credit, 'course) - Now 'scuse me, I'm going spice shopping online...at Duckluck's recommendation!
Posted by: hank | Aug 19, 2005 8:47:16 PM
Thanks, Andy, for the tip. I'll try the magazine for a year, and maybe even start to use up my unfortunate overstock of Penzey's cinnamon and vanilla. Where can I send cookies?
Posted by: R J Keefe | Aug 19, 2005 8:55:29 PM
I sent an e-mail. S'pose you could say that in its magazine, Penzey's is being a bit 'spicy' (!?).
Posted by: Brian | Aug 19, 2005 9:02:10 PM
Thanks, Andy, for the article and some "good news" for the weekend. Just bought a subscription -- it feels good to be able to do a little something to support good people.
Posted by: toby | Aug 20, 2005 9:17:07 AM
Thanks, Andy, for bringing this to our attention. Love Penzey's spices and now even more. I just subscribed to the mag as well, and will spread the word. It's good to see that in this increasingly intolerant country some people stand up for real values.
Posted by: Tom | Aug 20, 2005 10:29:47 AM
What a beautiful family. How could anyone be offended by these people?
Posted by: Anna | Aug 20, 2005 11:08:35 AM
I emailed my support...thanks for bringing this to my atten.
Posted by: Dray | Aug 21, 2005 2:53:05 PM
Thanks so much for featuring a gay couple and their family. I lived in WI for 15 years and found out about Penzy's when I moved to Ohio. I have given it as gifts and think the company and spices are great. Thanks for also being great about including all people as worthy of being called a family.
Posted by: Elaine | Aug 22, 2005 3:08:15 PM
Thanks so much for featuring a gay couple and their family. I lived in WI for 15 years and found out about Penzy's when I moved to Ohio. I have given it as gifts and think the company and spices are great. Thanks for also being great about picturing a gay couple as worthy of being called a family.
Posted by: Elaine | Aug 22, 2005 3:10:10 PM
Check out a picture of the previous family, the Olsneys or whatever. Man are they scary.
Posted by: Tipsy McStaggers | Aug 22, 2005 4:03:21 PM
that's the way to promote tolerance, tipsy. nice.
Posted by: hank | Aug 23, 2005 12:35:15 PM
Just bringing it to everyone's attention. They are pretty frightening, don't you think?
Posted by: Tipsy McStaggers | Aug 24, 2005 3:28:39 PM
My rabidly homophobic mother has been sending me Penzey's stuff for years. She keeps telling me how wonderful they are. I'm not really much of a cook, so I could care less about really good spices, but the packages keep coming.
This is really spicy news. I wonder how fast she'll change her mind about Penzey's when she sees this? No more unwanted spice packages for me.
I love it when you make them eat their words.
Posted by: jay | Aug 25, 2005 2:26:14 AM
I'm a long-time customer, and was pleasantly surprised to read the article, but it took your encouragement to get me a note to write the editor. Thanks, Andy.
Posted by: John | Sep 24, 2005 3:34:51 PM