Visiting food writers are impressed with Decorah

Vegetable display at Winneshiek Farmers Market, courtesy of the Farmers Market

A group of food reviewers and travel writers left Decorah on Thursday—but not before telling decorahnews.com how impressed they were by what they discovered in Northeast Iowa.

Oregon writer Joe Lieberman says he was impressed by the sophistication of the people he met.  He noted how vendors at the Winneshiek Farmers Market took care on Wednesday to make their displays of fruits and vegetables attractive—something he appreciated as a photographer looking for good photos to accompany articles.

Illinois writer Connie Reed also was impressed with the Farmers Market and with the support for Farm-to-Table programs in this area—something that hasn't caught on as much where she lives.
 
Mason City writer Sara Broers echoed those comments, saying most other Iowa communities are "not there yet" on promoting Farm-to-Table.  She praised the "energy" at the Farmers Market.

Michigan writer Deb Thompson was impressed by the scenery, noting that people don't expect rolling hills and waterfalls in Iowa.  She also liked touring Sherlock Shrimp in Ridgeway, praising the owners for coming up with the idea of repurposing an old elementary school.

Lisa Trudell from Omaha, Nebraska agreed.  She said the views from Peace Dining Room at Luther College were magnificent, as were all the colors of the corn, beans and hills on the farms they visited.  She says those views would surprise people back in Omaha, who, when she said she was going to visit Decorah, replied, "So you're not going for fun?"