When you think of corn, you might think of the 90s metal band (spelled with a ‘K’ and embodying a raucous explosion of angst and anger). More likely, corn conjures images of a summer barbeque: bright yellow ears grilled, buttered, and eaten straight off the cob.

However, the story of corn is more expansive and complicated than these contemporary reference points. Right now, industrial corn farming consumes 96 million acres of United States farmland (the US is the world’s largest producer of the crop). It receives billions of dollars in government subsidies every year, and it has turned the once-rich grassland of the midwest into the industrial corn belt, a vast monoculture with weak, pesticide-ridden soil.

This week, we unpack the role that corn plays in our ecosystems, economies, and the experiences of farmers. We start with a story about organic corn being fed to livestock. Then, we dive into the world of ethanol, and learn why it may not be the answer to our energy needs. We explore the complicated politics of corn legislation and how it affects farmers. Finally, we learn about the spiritual history of corn, and how people are keeping that history alive today.

Corn to be Wild

Get ready for a delectable experience with Meat + Three, your weekly serving of food stories and commentary served up by the talented interns at Heritage Radio Network (HRN). Inspired by the Southern tradition of a hearty main dish and three sides, this podcast offers a deep dive into the latest food trends, the socio-cultural impact of food, and personal narratives about our relationships with what we eat and drink.

Powered by the HRN internship program, Meat + Three serves as a vibrant platform for our seasonally-rotating contributors to share their insights and stories, ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives. Join us as we explore the food systems landscape, uncovering what's happening in the world right now.

Meat + Three is proudly brought to you by HRN, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering a more equitable, sustainable, and delicious world through its array of over 25 weekly food shows.

This program is supported, in part, by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts as well as public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

Hosted by Taylor Early and H Conley.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Pralines, a sweet concoction of sugar, butter, and pecans, are more than just a staple of New Orleans cuisine. They carry with them a rich legacy of adaptation and survival, embodying the spirit of a city known for its resilience. This episode delves into the bittersweet history of pralines, revealing their deep connections to the legacy of slavery, the innovative spirit of African American women, and the enduring fight for freedom and equality. 

In this episode of Meat and Three, Taylor Early is joined by co-host Jessica Gingrich, a journalist and food historian who has spent the past 3 years reporting on the intertwined histories of pralines, systemic injustice, and the Angola 3. Central to this story is Robert King, a member of the Angola 3, who spent decades in solitary confinement at Angola Prison. King's journey from his grandmother's kitchen to making pralines in prison highlights the power of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

In addition to King’s story, this episode delves into the broader history and cultural significance of pralines, tracing their origins from the kitchens of enslaved African American women to modern-day entrepreneurship. Food historian Dr. Zella Palmer provides insights into how pralines became a source of empowerment for Black women, despite discriminatory practices. Additionally, we examine the brutal realities of forced labor in Louisiana's prison system are examined through the firsthand account of prison rights activist Kiana Calloway, who discusses the harsh conditions at Angola Prison and the broader implications of prison labor on our food systems.

The Bittersweet History of Pralines

A food memory is never just the meal itself. It’s the people who cooked it, the chatter around the table, the distance traveled and time waited just to taste this food. Today, we’re serving up a smorgasbord of experiences from each member of the Meat and Three team. From fresh-squeezed juice in Mexico City to the late-night fast food haunts of competitive swing dancers, we’ve got messages from the whole team on the food they love, and the places that make that food come alive with meaning. 

Further Reading:

If you wanna hear the story of how Chef Eric See got his restaurant from concept to opening day, check out The Build. For more info about the wine we drank, check out Sapere, brought lovingly from Napa to Ursula by the lovely sommelier Sacha. After binging the season, NYC locals; go have a bite and a drink at Ursula (and tell Eric that Taylor sent you!)
For more of the hilarious Chala June, check out their Instagram!

You’ve Got (Voice)Mail

Cooking a meal is often compared to creating a work of art. From the recipes that inspire you, to your PALETTE of spices, to the smells and tastes that stir up emotions, all of it comes together on an edible canvas as an expression of the inner self. It’s no wonder so many cultures deeply intertwine food with identity. To explore this connection, we’re revisiting Meat and Three stories with our brand new interns. We’ll be talking about our loyalty to grocery store chains, the past and future of soul food, nostalgia for Jewish deli dinners, and the little moments in the kitchen which shape us.

You Are What You Eat

Food sovereignty foregrounds all of our conversations on Meat and Three. If communities are unable to feed themselves freely, safely and sustainably, food cultures can not thrive. From seed banks preserving Indigenous crops, to Israeli control of Palestinian food systems, we kickstart our 16th season by revisiting stories from the Meat and Three archives that center food sovereignty as imperative to maintaining diverse, nourishing food cultures.

Planting IS Power: Preserving Food Sovereignty

Go behind the scenes at HRN with Behind the Internship where you’ll find out  what it’s like to become a podcast producer for HRN’s flagship show, Meat + Three. Tune in to the premiere episode and get to know  Sophia Hooper, Danielle Flitter, and Addison Austin-Lou, three interns in HRN’s Research & Radio Internship Program. Hear about their first steps into podcast production and see what it takes to begin a career in the food media world.

Corn to be Wild

Download our free app to listen on your phone