Beverages, just like food, are something that unites us all. On this episode of allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Kirk French, Teaching Professor of Anthropology at Penn State University, College of Liberal Arts. His research focuses on the cultural meanings of alcohol. He discusses how alcohol has developed throughout history and the impact on culture.

Allinfoodz has explored the impact outside factors, like COVID-19, have had on food insecurity. On this episode of allinfoodz, we explore the impact of another factor on food insecurity, extreme weather conditions. Amit Sharma is joined by Dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management Dennis Reynolds, Ph.D. They discuss the impacts the recent extreme weather in Texas has had on local food insecurity.

Responsible consumption is a complex issue that involves consumers and food providers. On this episode of allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Registered Dietitian Mary Alice Cain. She promotes balanced meals created from healthful ingredients and believes affordable, wholesome food should be available to all. Visit her website to learn more. https://www.maryalicecain.com/

Food insecurity is a challenge the United States has always faced. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, food insecurity is affecting more Americans each day. On this episode of allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Director of the YMCA of Centre County Moshannon Valley Branch Mel Curtis. He discusses the “new hungry” and how the YMCA is helping local communities fight food insecurity.

We’ve all seen sell by dates and other labeling on foods at the grocery store but many consumers don’t realize the meaning or reasoning behind the label. On this episode of Allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Penn State Hospitality Management Senior Nicholas Wagner to discuss his research on food labeling and discounting and the impact on food waste in the United States.

The events of 2020 have caused many to take a deeper look into the structure of society. Food system structures are no different. On this episode of Allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Brett Persing, Penn State School of Hospitality Management Senior, for a discussion about food justice. Brett defines what food justice means and how it changes the view of the current food system.

The way consumers choose beverages continue to change and adapt as the pandemic rages on. On this episode of Allinfoodz, Amit Sharma sits down with Kathy Kelley, Ph.D., Professor of Horticultural Marketing and Business Management in Penn State’s College of Agriculture Sciences to discuss recent trends in the beverage industry.

Every industry has been impacted by COVID-19 but none as much as restaurants and foodservice. On this episode of allinfoodz, Amit Sharma sits down with Ajai Ammachathram, Ph.D., assistant professor and beverage extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on restaurants and how they’ve adapted during these unprecedented times.

Consumer trends have changed in almost every industry during the pandemic, the wine and spirits industry is no exception. On this episode of Allinfoodz, Amit Sharma sits down with Kathy Kelley, Ph.D., Professor of Horticultural Marketing and Business Management in Penn State’s College of Agriculture Sciences to discuss expenditure on wine during COVID-19.

Every industry has been impacted by the ongoing pandemic and school nutrition is no exception. On this episode of allinfoodz, Amit Sharma is joined by Lucy Ruetiman, director of nutrition & compliance at Genuine Foods, a foodservice management company that delivers fresh, scratch-made culturally relevant food service to schools and communities. They discuss how Genuine Foods focuses on providing high quality meals and how the pandemic has changed school nutrition.