After 17-years, Edible Phoenix is for sale. Here's what's next for the magazine
Pamela Hamilton, editor and publisher of Edible Phoenix announced to The Arizona Republic that she plans to retire after the publication of the Fall issue.
In a letter to her readers, scheduled to print in the final issue, which is coming out in mid-September, she writes: "It's with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement after 17 fulfilling years at Edible Phoenix." She thanks longtime writers, advertisers and loyal readers, who encouraged her to keep going during the pandemic.
In October, she will step away from the publication and she's hoping that a new publisher will step in to keep the local-centric food magazine going.
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What is Edible Phoenix?
Edible Phoenix is part of the Edible Communities, Inc., a franchise of magazines dedicated to local food movements that was cofounded by Tracey Rider and Carole Topalian in 2002 when they launched Edible Ojai. The brand now has 90 magazines being produced and independently run in communities around the United States.
Hamilton, originally from Wisconsin, moved to Phoenix by way of California in 1995. She founded Edible Phoenix in 2005, after a career change from management consulting. Her aim was to highlight the abundance of local food and drinks in Phoenix in the pages of the quarterly publication.
"I decided to follow my passion," said Hamilton. "I was writing a local food guide when I discovered the original Edible Ojai publication. When I found out that they were licensing to other communities, I stepped up for Phoenix. I had always felt that there were so many farmers, ranchers, food artisans, markets, etc. who weren't getting attention at that time and wanted to tell the stories of these often "hidden" gems. As an early supporter of Slow Food, I believe in food that is good, clean and fair."
A lasting impact on Phoenix food media
In the 17 years since its inception, Edible Phoenix showcased the work of local chefs, bartenders, farms and farmers and even garnered a few awards.
Hamilton won the Llangeland Award for Community Service in 2008 for her involvement in Slow Food USA as a co-leader of Slow Food Phoenix and governor of the Slow Food Southwest region. In 2011, she won Edible Communities Magazine of the Year.
The 2012 Issue number 24 included stories about Arizona food history for the centennial and won an Eddy Award for Best Editorial - Historical.
"I remember the first time the Arizona Republic published an 'Edible-type' local food story," she said. "And my colleagues wondered if I was upset. 'No,' I said, 'It just means we’ve been doing our job.'"
What's Next for the magazine
Hamilton decided to retire this year to spend more time traveling with her husband. "I’m looking forward to celebrating my 65th birthday with many of my wild women friends, traveling (Portugal and Belize are up first), tackling recipes from my extensive cookbook collection and enjoying the fact that I no longer have a schedule to adhere to," she wrote in her last issue's Letter from the Publisher.
The magazine is now for sale and its future remains uncertain.
Hamilton is hoping to find a new publisher who will carry the torch and continue to "celebrate the abundance of local food and drink here in the Valley."
Interested parties to contact her at info@ediblephoenix.com for more information.
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Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The publisher of Edible Phoenix is retiring and selling the magazine
