Every Friday for the past 8 months (holy crap that’s a long time), I have risen at 5:25am to go to Selma Cafe. I have missed one time, and it was because I was out of the state (and normally I wouldn’t even consider that a good excuse). Selma is something that I have a really hard time describing, because it is this kind of experience that is difficult to capture in words.
In early 2009, Lisa Gottlieb and Jeff McCabe opened up their home one Friday morning for breakfast with a few close friends. Just over two years later, the crowd has greatly surpassed their initial breakfast gathering (at 189 people served a few weeks ago). The meal is staffed by all volunteers; from local chefs to waitresses and dishwashers, Selma has 30+ that come to help out each week. The food is all local (which can prove difficult during the winter in Michigan), which just adds to my constant admiration of Jeff and Lisa. There is also basically no waste (the edible compostables go to the chickens and the meat/egg shells are just for regular compost).
We ask for $12-$15 per meal, but there is no set price or menu. That’s kind of pricey (you’re thinking). But for a little added guilt trip, I tell you where the funds go.
About 1/3 of the cost of the breakfast goes to continuing breakfast each week, while the rest goes toward the Farmer Fund that has helped to build over 10 hoop houses in the area. What the hell is a hoop house (you’re wondering)? It is basically a less permanent green house that allows farmers to grow great food year-round!
Each week a different local chef comes to cook, and through Selma I have basically met almost all of the chefs in Ann Arbor (at least all the ones that are hip enough to know that Selma is the place to be). A recent development is Lisa’s Vegan Granola that is packed with nuts, seeds, and oats! Served with some baby-blues from the freezer and some soy milk…you can’t beat it! I usually end up coercing the chef to whip me up some vegan side as well (this past week that was some garlic sauteed kale).
We serve from 6:30am-10am, at 722 Soule! You may have to wait a bit if you come by, but it’s well worth it.
Vegan Granola with Blueberries and Soy Milk
