One of the oldest foods that came to be in civilized times remains one of the most popular yet today.

Soup.

What is more simple than soup? It warms on a winter day, and is to some the ultimate comfort food. And while chicken soup is no cure for the common cold (thrown in just to appease the FDA) it’s certainly good for what ails you.

Since it’s delicious cold as well as piping hot, soup is never out of season. And seldom out of reach there’s always a can or box on hand in the pantry when called on to rescue an otherwise bland meal or to serve as a worthy contribution to a food drive.

Homemade soup…even better.

Soup is on our mind top shelf this week as the Taube Museum of Art gets ready to holds its annual soup fundraiser, Soup It Up, this Saturday. Be aware that this year’s event will be held at The Grand Hotel.

As our Jill Hambek reported last week, soup will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during Soup It Up. Artisans and crafters will be selling their wares from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no admittance fee to shop. There will also be a Children’s Art Activity Center from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with free will contributions accepted for the children’s art activity.

The first 200 attendees will take home a handcrafted ceramic bowl for the price of a soup ticket. This year, the bowls have all been created by the MSU Ceramics Department. Soup will be served by Olive Garden, Teri Tingley, 10 North Main, Souris River Brewing, Panera Bread, Magic City Hoagies, Primo and Badlands restaurant. Breads and dessert will be provided by Marketplace Foods and Taube members.

“It’s a low-key, fun event,” said Nancy Walter, executive director of the Taube Museum of Art.

What more encouragement do you need?

Soup’s on!