An old wooden carving known as "the Sacred Cod" hangs in the Massachusetts State House.

That figurine has stared down at lawmakers for more than two centuries as a reminder of how important cod fishing has been to New England, where generations have made a living by casting their nets out at sea.

"It's the only job I've ever had," said Al Cattone, a Gloucester fisherman, who - like his father and grandfather before him - spent more than 30 years braving the Atlantic's rough waters and cold winds in search of fish.

"It's not so much a job as it is an identity."
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Despite the fact that it has been federally legal since 1979, there are still two U.S. states that don't allow residents to make beer in their own homes: Alabama and Mississippi.
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Editor's Note: Chris Hastings is the James Beard Award-winning chef of the acclaimed Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama.

The first time I heard a prominent chef bemoan the phrase "farm-to-table," I was in New York meeting with a group of chefs to discuss topics in and around our industry.

I cocked my head in that direction as if to say, “Did I just hear what I think I did?”

Another chef quickly chimed in that he was also "so tired of the farm-to-table movement," like it was no longer a legitimate or important way of thinking.

Seriously? That moment was neither the time nor place to have a debate so I chose, uncharacteristically, to make a note and keep my mouth shut - until now.
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Eatocracy spends a lot of time talking with farmers, and giving them a platform in our ongoing Farmers with Issues series. When Dodge aired a commercial during last night's Super Bowl using radio legend Paul Harvey's “So God Made a Farmer” as a kickoff for their Year of the Farmer campaign to raise money for the Future Famers of America, the increasingly vocal population of farmers and agriculture advocates spreading their message with social media had a lot to say.

We reached out to a few of our favorite farmers and rounded up some of their reactions.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

The current winter flu outbreak is the worst in more than a decade, and seems like everywhere you look someone is sneezing or coughing. Being sick often means a lack of appetite, but it’s important for your body to get the nutrients it needs to fight the flu virus. That's where National Homemade Soup Day comes in.

Soup is an easy vehicle for nourishment to reach your aching body. With a little planning, you can be enjoying a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup in almost the same amount of time it takes to pop a pre-made one in the microwave. Here are some tips:
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We are utterly thrilled when readers want to hang out and talk – whether it's amongst themselves or in response to pieces we've posted. We want Eatocracy to be a cozy, spirited online home for those who find their way here.
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