Hope is in the air.

As I write this letter, snowdrops bloom, with forsythia and daffodils not far behind, all while schools and museums close, events and sports are canceled. Salamanders cross the road, the peepers and wood frogs sing, but restaurants and farmers markets go silent. As our busy world slows down and we wonder how long this social distancing will need to last, farmers still work in the fields and chickens still lay their eggs.

Regardless of the state of the Coronavirus—and the world—by the time this magazine gets into your hands, we will need to support one another.

What can you do? Sign up for a CSA. Our farmers need support right now and your membership helps them prepare for the growing season ahead.

Sign up for local food delivery right now then plan on frequenting farmers markets and farmstands this summer.

Shop online. Many local businesses have online stores or if they didn’t before, they may now.

Buy a gift card. Whether or not you dine out daily, weekly or even monthly, buy a gift card for those cafes, restaurants and bars that depend on you to stay in business. Then spread out the use of those gift cards so they’re not overwhelmed when business is back to normal.

Donate money to a local food bank and when this pandemic is over, consider donating your time as well.

And cook. Try out new recipes with those ingredients delivered to you. See this issue for new ways to cook with eggs and peas. Avoid wasting food whenever possible, set up a compost, prepare your garden and begin planting.

We are a strong community of farmers, food producers, restaurant owners and entrepreneurs. Our spring issue brings you just a few examples of these communities, here in the city and county of Worcester: a collaboration of three breweries for a cause, a farm giving people a second chance and a glimpse into the city’s vegan community. We’ve profiled two popups, each with its own community of followers on social media, plus a café creating an oasis in a busy town.

But our story on food delivery is perhaps the most timely. Many businesses now deliver locally grown produce, meat, dairy and other products directly to your door. You can add to this list the local farmers who also deliver, businesses like Stillman Quality Meats, Lilac Hedge Farm and Crooked Creek Farm.

Spring is coming, and this too will pass. In the meantime, stay healthy and have hope. Wash your hands and support local businesses. Our friends, our community and our economy depend on it. And when things are back to normal, keep supporting local! We’re all in this together.

Tara Taft