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Will Hack for Food
Local technologists use open data to feed Californians
State and local governments aren’t known for being cutting edge or tech savvy. But as the open data movement gains momentum, the private sector is becoming more empowered to usher valuable, though often archaic, institutions into the 21st century.
![The owners of About a Bite Bakery and Downtown & Vine are sharing space on K Street, across from the IMAX Theater. About a Bite Bakery creates bite-sized desserts, and the new Harvest Bar will offer “grab-and-go” breakfast and lunch items. The owners of About a Bite Bakery and Downtown & Vine are sharing space on K Street, across from the IMAX Theater. About a Bite Bakery creates bite-sized desserts, and the new Harvest Bar will offer “grab-and-go” breakfast and lunch items.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0715_blog_launch_lead_jc_1.jpg?1577874530)
Photos: About a Bite and Harvest Bar
Harvest Bar will offer healthy grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items as well as a juice bar. About a Bite will serve bite-sized cooks, artisan chocolates and other sweets.
![(Photo: Joan Cusick) (Photo: Joan Cusick)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0715_blog_launch_lead_jc_0.jpg?1577874530)
Wine and sweets venture opens on The Kay
Two businesses share space to serve downtown diners
“The beauty of this partnership is our customers get to have it all, and I don’t have to do the things I don’t want to do,” says Jennifer Kaye. “Somebody can come in, grab a fresh sandwich or a salad and then pick up a little something for dessert.”
![The Localis kitchen The Localis kitchen](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/localis_kitchen.jpg?1577874531)
Weekend Warriors: Localis Pre-Opening
Last weekend with Clayton Blakley
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a sneak peek pre-opening event of the new Localis Restaurant, which will take the place of Trick Pony.
![Photo: Royce Gorsuch for Bitwater Farms Photo: Royce Gorsuch for Bitwater Farms](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0615_blog_ag_rg.jpg?1577874530)
Are Cricket-Hungry Chicks a Food-System Fix?
Bitwater Farms empowers farmers with a new solution for livestock feed
For Sean McDonald, improving the food production system is the future of his business — and the entire agriculture industry. His work toward those improvements starts with … (drumroll please) … crickets.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/09kitchen_alt_0.jpg?1577874530)
Lessons from a Community Kitchen
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op teaches healthy eating on a budget
When Leah Yadon saw a flier for the Sacramento Natural Food Co-Op Community Kitchen sessions at Wellspring Women’s Center in Sacramento, she signed up immediately. Food has always played a big part in her life, Yadon says, but no one ever taught her the basic building blocks of a healthy lifestyle.
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Where is the Wine?
We are looking for the Central Valley's hidden wine-country gem
The Central Valley is well known for vast agricultural resources, but isn’t really considered prime wine country given famous neighbors like Napa and Sonoma.
Now that the region is finally beginning to receive some attention for it’s great vino, we have to ask…
What county in the CV do you consider your favorite hidden wine country gem?
![Tom Merwin and David and Phil Oglivie launched Muddy Boot Wine out of Clarksburg in 2014 Tom Merwin and David and Phil Oglivie launched Muddy Boot Wine out of Clarksburg in 2014](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0615_dept_taste_lead_kb.jpg?1577874530)
Band of Brothers
Childhood friends launch social-savvy wine brand from hometown in Clarksburg
Once upon a time, a quarter- century ago, mischievous twins David and Phil Ogilvie and their friend Tom Merwin played on their family farms in bucolic Clarksburg. Time and circumstance eventually led all three back to the family farms and, in March of 2014, they decided to do together what all three had dreamed of separately: open a winery.
![Chuck Wagner, co-founder, Caymus Vineyards Chuck Wagner, co-founder, Caymus Vineyards](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0615_ft_solanocounty_lead_kj.jpg?1577874530)
Grape Expectations
Solano County’s wine industry comes of age, and the timing couldn’t be better.
The phrase “wine country” harkens to Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga. But Solano? Not so much. In fact, the Suisun Valley appellation was formed in 1982, less than a year after Napa’s. The local environment boasts much of the same benefits, too.
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Eat the Ugly Fruit
The importance of dining conservatively during a drought
Sacramento is a thirsty region. From agriculture to restaurants kitchens, our food system slurps down a big chunk of our existing water supply. The looming question is how each of us can partner with these industries to conserve.