To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a cashew cookie. Aside from this point, a key issue is whether consumers in our region prefer a cookie developed and produced by a local entrepreneur over nationally distributed cookies. Bizzy Lizzy cookies are comparable to cookies purchased in coffee shops. Who’s cookies will we purchase? Price is comparable. Do we exchange money for cookies with someone who lives next door, or do we neglect the issue of source and purchase based on convenience and brand name recognition?

Thanks for the informative piece, Mike. Fits the Chronicle style, including the level of detail.

I hope you’ll keep writing, helping us understand the whole system, from soil to supper.

Regarding the debate about peanut butter, I’ll stay out of that battle.

Thanks to readers for feedback. I’m interested in hearing more.

With certain people that I’m married to recently going gluten-free, I’m reading labels a lot more carefully. Sue – your gluten-free friends will probably want to watch out for things like rolled oats, because (as I’ve learned) oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat, either in the field or in processing. Unless they’re specially grown, milled, and sold as “gluten-free oats”, your gluten-free friends probably can’t eat them. (Mike: for your entrepreneurs, I’ve also learned that gluten-free oats are a whole lot more expensive than regular oats…Yow.)

And, for the part that really matters: Conan’s wrong. Sue’s right. Peanut butter is awesome.

I’m appalled! Peanut butter is one of the important food groups, and when combined with chocolate AND Michigan Dried Cherries, must rise to the level of super food. Mike – can you share local retailers who carry Bizzy Lizzy products? I have gluten intolerant friends to shop for!