Pamela Hamilton, publisher of Edible Phoenix, is the recipient of the Langeland Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service for 2008. Given annually by Edible Communities, a network of local food publications in the United States and Canada, and named for the first recipients, Doug & Dianne Langeland of Edible Cape Cod, the award recognizes the Edible magazine publisher who provides their local food community with the most community service.

Hamilton has taken a strong leadership role in increasing the visibility and viability of local food in the Phoenix Valley both as the publisher of Edible Phoenix and in her volunteer positions as President of the Board of Directors for Community Food Connections and as Southwest Governor and local co-leader for Slow Food USA. She has worked tirelessly to connect local consumers, chefs, farmers and other food producers through education, donations to community organizations and local events such as the Slow Food Farm Tour and Feast in the Desert.

According to the Langelands, “Many of our fellow Edible publishers are becoming real lynchpins in their local foodsheds, so the competition for the prize this year was fierce. The fact that Pamela is a such a visionary and often takes the leadership role in activities linking producers to consumers pushed her nomination over the top.”

The cash prize donated by Edible Communities that accompanies the Langeland Award will be used to help fund Community Food Connections’ development of a full-time indoor market for the promotion of local and regional food producers.  Community Food Connections sponsors the Downtown Phoenix Public Market, a Farm to School program, and other projects bringing healthy, local food to all Valley residents.

Congratulations to Hamilton, Edible Phoenix, and to the beneficiaries of Community Food Connections.