Happy Valentine’s Day! As a serious journalism outlet, we’re probably supposed to shun this holiday—but as a scrappy startup, we can’t resist the chance to suggest a few ways to show your love for The Food Section.
I know we’ve asked for lots of money lately. We’ve alerted you to our new philanthropic fund, warned you about the upcoming increase in subscription prices, and reminded you to buy TFS bucket hats. With so many talented writers contributing to TFS, and our putting tech in place so their work reaches readers, we’ve got bills to pay.
But there are plenty of non-monetary ways to support TFS. Of course, I don’t want to stop you from reaching for your checkbook! Yet just as a heartfelt poem can mean more than fancy jewelry, it’s hard to overestimate the value of the no-cost kindnesses outlined below—the first of which you’ve already shown us. Thank you!
Read The Food Section: Maybe not all of it, and maybe not every day. We want all TFS readers to have the experience that’s right for them, which is why we encourage subscribers to customize their newsletter lineup. But as a tiny organization, we’re reliant on word of mouth, i.e. conversations that begin, “I just saw a story in The Food Section about…”
Post about The Food Section: Digital discussions are every bit as important as the in-person kind. If a story strikes you, we’d love for you to share it with your contacts on whichever social media platform you prefer. TFS has a dedicated Instagram account, and founder Hanna Raskin is active on Bluesky, Threads, and LinkedIn, but it’s equally fine to post without tagging. (A link to thefoodsection.com is nice, though.)
Share your thoughts with TFS readers: I’m determined to do a better job of including “Comment” buttons on feature stories, since I know that’s a function some folks miss from the Substack days. But please keep in mind that you can comment on any post, so long as you access it on the website. Alternately, you can head to the TFS Facebook group to muse about what you just read.
Share your thoughts with TFS makers: TFS is scheduling a series of listening sessions to gather reader feedback. If you’re able to set aside 20 minutes to talk TFS on a Zoom call, let us know!
While the above activities are available to everyone, other asks only make sense if you fit a description. Read on to see whether any of the criteria apply to you!
Do you have a favorite podcast? Heck, it could be yours—in which case you know that podcast hosts are often on the hunt for guests. If you’ve got a lead on a podcast that might want to line up an interview with a TFS writer, consider getting in touch with its production team to say as much. Or, just let us know which show you have in mind, and we’ll follow up. Same goes for newsletters, blogs, and legacy media.
Do you belong to a group which invites speakers to its meetings? Americans may not be the joiners they once were, but clubs still abound; perhaps you belong to a writers’ circle, wine club, service organization, or another affinity group with a speakers’ schedule. TFS founder Hanna Raskin can speak about food journalism, Southern food, and newsletters, among other topics—and you might be surprised how frequently she’s in your area.
Do you own a retail store? TFS can hook you up with print editions to display.
Do you own a restaurant? And, if so, have you ever considered listing TFS subscriptions on your menu?
Do you have paying customers in another capacity? Maybe you prepare taxes or teach guitar lessons. As TFS builds up its cache of paid subscriber perks, we’d love to add your service to the mix. Can you spare a 10 percent off coupon, for instance?
Best wishes for a sweet weekend!
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