Part cookbook, part how-to guide, Food Swap features more than 80 recipes for artisanal items that will be coveted at food swaps and adored as gifts, including everything from salted caramel sauce and Meyer lemon curd to green tomato salsa, lavender shortbread, cultured butter, apricot jalapeño jelly, and rum vanilla extract. You’ll also find creative ways to irresistibly package your items, plus perforated gift tags ready for personalization. Finally, author Emily Paster — co-founder of the Chicago Food Swap, one of the biggest in the world — offers guidance on setting up a food swap in your own community, as well as inspiring stories from people who are part of this growing movement. "Looking to build a community of food lovers? Look no further! Half food-swap handbook, half cookbook, this volume will have you simultaneously gathering friends and dashing for the kitchen." — Marisa McClellan, author of Food in Jars "Food swaps are a simple yet powerful way to gather people around our great common denominator: food! Emily Paster's book is a roadmap for the journey toward stronger, more connected food-loving communities." — LaManda Joy, author of Start a Community Food Garden: The Essential Handbook Emily Paster is the creator of the popular website West of the Loop , which was named a Top Mommy Blog by Time Out Chicago Kids and a Family Food Blog to Savor by Red Tricycle . She is the co-founder of the Chicago Food Swap, teaches canning classes in the Chicago area, and writes on food and entertaining for Chicago Parent magazine. Kate Payne is the founder of the Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking website, author of  The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking and The Hip Girl's Guide to the Kitchen,  and a frequent contributor to  Edible Austin  magazine, AOL's  Kitchen Daily , and a number of DIY, décor, and cooking websites. She teaches classes at culinary institutions and Whole Foods Market. Kate rotates her time between Brooklyn, NY and Austin, TX.