"It's hard work being a farmer, and we just don't value it. And we just don't realize… that we're losing them." —Jennifer Grissom

When SNAP and EBT are in flux, local food systems become a lifeline. This episode breaks down how farmers' markets can become emergency food hubs that protect both people and producers.

Jennifer Grissom from Food Access LA shares how her nonprofit expanded market match, launched emergency food distributions, and coordinated with partners to meet urgent needs while keeping farmers paid.

Listen now to learn:

• How market match stretches SNAP and keeps choice for families

• Tactical steps for rapid food distribution that support local farmers

• How teams cut unnecessary red tape and move quickly during crises

• The long-term threat to small farmers and what communities can do today

Press play, subscribe, and leave a rating if this episode helped you understand what local food resilience looks like in practice.

Meet Jennifer:

Jennifer Grissom is the Executive Director of Food Access LA, a nonprofit organization committed to improving equitable access to fresh, nutritious foods across Los Angeles. The organization operates nine farmers' markets and leads community programs focused on nutrition education, food distribution, benefits access, and urban agriculture support. Jennifer works closely with small farmers, food vendors, and community partners to build a more resilient, people-centered local food system. Her leadership emphasizes dignity, autonomy, and sustainable economic opportunity for both families and farmers.

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Episode Highlights:

00:43 Overview of Food Access LA

04:24 Market Match and Emergency Funding Tactics

09:53 Red Tape vs. Action

11:35 Managing Demand & Communication

15:10 Planning in Uncertainty

20:22 Local Purchasing Agreements, Food Box Partnerships

"There is something missing in modern medicine that's not just about the therapy and exercises or about empowering the patient, but getting the patient to really choose self-care." —DeAnna Schaefer

Stillness doesn't just happen; it's created. Between deadlines, worries, and daily noise, most of us forget what it's like to truly breathe. But when we give ourselves permission to pause, we begin to heal in ways no medicine alone can.

After decades of treating pain through physical therapy, Point Reyes Lavender Co. Founder, DeAnna Schaefer, saw the missing piece: people weren't just aching in their bodies, they were worn thin in spirit. So she turned to lavender and the land of Point Reyes, blending science, nature, and soul to help others rediscover calm and care.

Step into this conversation where business meets purpose, as DeAnna shares her journey of building a sustainable lavender farm, crafting healing products, and redefining what it means to choose joy, rest, and intentional living.

Meet DeAnna:

DeAnna Schaefer is the founder of Point Reyes Lavender Company and a seasoned physical therapist with over 25 years of experience. Combining her passion for healing with her love for agriculture, DeAnna transitioned from a successful career in physical therapy to establish a sustainable lavender farm in Point Reyes, California. Drawing on her scientific background and entrepreneurial spirit, she has developed a unique line of natural wellness products that emphasize self-care and community connection. DeAnna is dedicated to fostering a joyful, regenerative future through innovative business practices and meaningful collaborations within her local community.

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Episode Highlights:

02:54 Starting the Lavender Farm Post-COVID

06:12 Learning About Lavender: Agricultural Challenges, Medicinal Benefits, & Product Development

10:56 Lavender Effects

19:00 Entrepreneurship Journey: The Importance of Passion and "Feel"

22:34 Sustainability and Product Packaging

26:41 Future Plans and Expansion

"Everything about our waking being is affected by the food we eat. And it's not just where your food comes from, but the ingredients…with integrity. Who is putting their love and passion into a crop? Who is not taking the shortcuts? How are individual ingredients… affecting our overall mood, physicality, all those things. All this is coming to light now— this is not pseudoscience anymore." —Jennifer Waxman

Every meal shapes more than our day—it shapes our health, our habits, and even our outlook. The world talks about superfoods and supplements, but the real power is digging into what grows close to home. By shifting perspective on our plate, we can change everything we thought we knew about wellness.

Raised on homegrown food and practical kitchen wisdom, Seed2source co-founder, Jennifer Waxman, turned her roots into a mission to make agriculture accessible and meaningful. She's faced the challenges of new food technologies, bridged the gap between farms and hospitals, and built real-world solutions for everyday eaters. Today, she proves anyone can harness the benefits of smarter agriculture, even without expert know-how.

Expect surprising tips about local sourcing, honest talk about common food myths, behind-the-scenes glimpses at hospital nutrition programs, and smart strategies for bringing better produce (and practices) into your life—all served in this week's episode. Stream now!

Meet Jennifer:

Jennifer Waxman, co-founder and managing partner at Seed2Source, began her career in agribusiness and natural wellness in 2000 after earning her MBA from Rollins College. She became a global leader in agricultural water conservation and hydroponics, gaining early insights into Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) before its U.S. emergence. In 2005, she founded a consulting firm focused on sustainable agriculture and wellness, managing supply chains and pioneering food-as-medicine models.

As Executive Director of The Villages Grown, she developed a community-centric, local food system business model. Jennifer is a respected mentor and advocate for the Local Food Movement, collaborating with major health and academic institutions. She educates on nutrient-dense growing and the health impacts of diet, emphasizing the link between agriculture and wellness. Her leadership spans board roles, keynote speaking, and editorial contributions across national and international agricultural organizations.

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Episode Highlights:

00:44 Meet Jennifer

04:11 Lessons Learned from Successes and Failures

07:34 Transitioning to Agriculture: Nurturing Plants and People

16:04 The Impact of Food as Medicine

21:59 Education and Empowerment in Agriculture

30:58 The Future of Agriculture and Its Broader Impact

36:16 Agriculture at the Roots of All Sectors

"It's a really interesting thing to figure out how to communicate the essence of something like [Pacha Bread] and the heart of what the product is. It's a bread that could heal the planet and could heal our bodies. It's something really magical."–Maddie Hamann

Sometimes the best things in life take time to rise, especially when you're trying to build something people truly crave. If finding your people or turning loyal customers into true believers seems out of reach, you may just need a new approach to building community around what matters.

Maddie Hamann left ocean science behind and got her hands messy by turning a simple, two-ingredient bread into a business that feeds both people and purpose. Her journey from a small kitchen to a nationwide brand proves that embracing transparency, adaptability, and values can transform skeptics into superfans.

Ready to see how the right mix turns business into a movement? Grab a slice of Maddie's journey: jumping from academia to business, starting with almost nothing, adapting during a pandemic, the secrets behind simple bread done right, community-focused marketing, new product launches, and making business work with your spouse.

Meet Maddie:

Maddie Hamann is the co-founder and Director of Marketing at PACHA Bread, a company renowned for its organic, gluten-free bread made from sprouted buckwheat and sea salt. With a background in oceanography, Maddie transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship, leveraging her skills in storytelling and communication to build a successful e-commerce business. Under her leadership, PACHA Bread has expanded its reach nationwide, offering innovative products that align with sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Maddie's commitment to high-integrity operations and her ability to connect with consumers have been pivotal in Pacha's growth and impact.

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Episode Highlights:

02:23 PACHA Journey: Starting the Business and Navigating COVID

07:19 Building a Loyal Customer Community

13:11 The Power of Story: Real People, Real Brand

16:24 Navigating Career Shift— From Oceanography to Entrepreneurship

19:46 Co-Founders, Value, and Business Growth

22:00 New Products: Tortillas and Retail Expansion

24:30 Working with Your Spouse: Rewards and Challenges

"Perimenopause, menopause, and andropause are such big biochemical shifts that they can affect every system in the body. There's no system left untouched by hormonal changes. o we want to use that as a filter to make sure that we're looking at the big picture." —Dr. Lisa Brent

One day your body stops responding the way it used to: sleep slips, moods shift, food doesn't hit the same, and the anxiety that never used to exist suddenly moves in. You start wondering if this is just "getting older," or if your body's trying to tell you something bigger. That quiet confusion between "I'm fine" and "something's off" is exactly where the story begins.

A naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, Dr. Lisa Brent built Be Well Natural Medicine to help women decode what's happening in their bodies through every hormonal shift, from perimenopause to menopause and beyond. Her work bridges modern medicine with practical, whole-body care, showing that these changes aren't the end of vitality but a recalibration.

In this episode, Justine and Dr. Lisa dig into the real markers of perimenopause, how to separate anxiety from hormonal shifts, what supplements actually help, how food and gut health tie in, and why men experience their own "pause" too. Listen in!

Meet Lisa:

Dr. Lisa Brent is a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist specializing in women's health. With a commitment to holistic and patient-centered care, she integrates primary care training with expertise in lifestyle medicine, nutrition, bioidentical hormone therapy, and gut health. Dr. Brent is dedicated to empowering her patients through education, individualized wellness strategies, and compassionate support. She is the founder of Be Well Natural Medicine, hosts educational events such as the Women's Health Symposium, and provides care both in-person and via telehealth.

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Episode Highlights:

01:28 ND vs MD: What's the Difference?

05:13 The Preimenopause Shift

08:39 How to Talk to Your Doctor and What to Share

11:48 The Supplement Overload Problem

15:49 Food as Medicine and Why It Changes After 50

19:05 Alcohol and Hormones

24:31 Can Regenerative Farming Heal Us Too?

28:46 The Other Pause: Men Go Through It Too

31:50 Health as a Team Project

36:30 Informed Choice: What's Hype and What's Real

"I believe what we're doing is based on something that's good for healing people and healing the planet. So, we're always organic and we're always working with regenerative organic farmers. And we're sticking to that mission and values, which is really important to me, because those are things that are always going to be good for you and for the…planet." —Neka Pasquale

Sometimes, wellness feels like a luxury instead of a way of life. Between the stress of business, family, and bills, it's easy to put health last until the cost of burnout catches up. What if the values that ground us—nourishment, balance, and purpose—were also the very things that drive sustainable success?

An acupuncturist turned entrepreneur, Neka Pasquale has built Urban Remedy from her kitchen into a movement by pairing holistic values with smart business. Her journey shows that growth doesn't come from chasing trends but from honoring what genuinely heals and sustains people.

This week, Justine and Neka provide clear, usable lessons about product-first growth, sourcing, hiring leadership, bootstrapped problem-solving, pivoting retail models, investor trade-offs, and how to scale without losing the values that made you special.

Meet Neka:

Neka Pasquale is the founder of Urban Remedy, a nationally recognized organic food company rooted in the philosophy of food as medicine. With a background as a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine, Neka has dedicated her career to promoting health and wellness through functional, organic, and healing foods. Since founding Urban Remedy over 13 years ago, she has grown the company from a local business in Marin, California, to a national brand featured in Whole Foods and other major retailers. Neka is known for her innovative approach to nutrition, her commitment to sustainability, and her passion for making healthy, fresh food accessible to a wider audience.

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Episode Highlights:

00:41 Urban Remedy: First Store to Wild Growth

04:43 Developing the Menu: Chinese Medicine and the Power of Food Temperatures

08:41 Finding Food Balance and Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

13:35 Scaling Up and Facing Growth Hurdles (Money, Team, and Staying Afloat)

16:35 Major Lessons on Grit, Glitch, Growth, and Greed

21:13 Evaluating Opportunities and Choosing the Right Growth Path

23:01 Hiring Your First CEO— What Matters Most

28:16 Navigating Unexpected Success and Bittersweet Decisions

31:40 Urban Remedy: The Next Steps

"I urge everyone to take a fraction of a second more to think before you throw something out— that's the moment that it matters whether we'll never see it again or whether it will go on to have a second life. It just takes that fraction of a second to try and do the right thing." —Laura Rosenshine

The way we handle waste isn't just about bins and bags—it's about habits, community, and the stories we tell ourselves. Sometimes, the real power to change things starts with a single, simple choice.

Laura Rosenshine is the co-founder of WATS, a software platform that helps manage waste more sustainably and efficiently. Laura's path started with a curiosity about composting and grew into a mission to help businesses rethink waste. From hands-on consulting in New York to launching Watts, she's learned that real progress comes from connecting people, data, and practical solutions.

Hit play to get honest advice, smart strategies, and a fresh perspective on waste. In this episode, Justine and Laura discuss composting, business sustainability, waste data, the circular economy, and how anyone—individual or company—can start making a difference today.

Meet Laura:

Laura founded Common Ground Compost LLC (CGC) after a few years working in the commercial waste sector, including working with a Norwegian-based technology company piloting in-vessel organics processing in NYC. In 2017, Laura co-founded Foodprint Group which was focused on bringing standardization and industry best practices to the waste management programs of multi-location hospitality and food businesses. In 2021, Laura returned to CGC to focus on building a WATS. Laura is a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, and her rescue dog is terrified of garbage trucks.

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Episode Highlights:

00:35 What is WATS?

06:06 Becoming a Trusted Waste Expert

13:07 Unexpected Start Up Journey

18:30 Connecting Businesses to Reduce Waste

22:27 Circular Economy–Not Just for Businesses

25:12 Think Before You Toss

"We always say our mac and cheese is like a break from the chaos. When things are crazy in your life, you just need a break. You don't have to go off the deep end and eat a bowl of some boxed XYZ... I want to eliminate that 'Oh my God, what have I done?' part after you eat." —Myles Powell

Comfort food isn't just about taste—it's about trust, memories, and feeling good from the inside out. Too often, the foods we love come with a side of guilt or mystery ingredients, but there's a better way to enjoy the classics without compromise.

Myles Powell grew up cherishing family meals, only to find that most store-bought comfort foods fell short of those memories. Driven by a passion for real ingredients and honest business, he set out to reinvent mac and cheese and more, building a brand that puts people and purpose first.

Listen in for a no-nonsense look at building a clean-label food business, the real hurdles of funding and scaling, and how comfort food can be both nostalgic and nourishing. You'll walk away with practical insights, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on what's possible in your kitchen and beyond.

Meet Myles:

Myles Powell is the founder of Myles Comfort Foods, a purpose-driven comfort food brand dedicated to clean-label, better-for-you classics. Inspired by family meals and a passion for real ingredients, Myles turned his love for authentic food into a business that puts transparency, quality, and emotional connection first. With experience in both self-funding and raising capital, he leads with resilience and a commitment to making comfort food that's as honest as it is delicious.

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Episode Highlights:

00:47 Better-For-You Mac&Cheese

05:31 Real Ingredients, Real Impact

08:27 The Challenges of Shipping Perishable Goods

10:35 Emotional Eating vs Food That Feels Good

13:26 Brand Values Over Product Hype

17:38 Funding the Dream, Learning to Pitch, and Handling Rejection

26:45 New Products on the Horizon

"We're looking at the molecular composition of milk, all of its proteins and components, how they function together, and what makes it magical. Our technology is around how do we get those to come together and function in a way that looks, tastes, and functions like dairy."

—Thomas Bowman

Can a plant-based milk truly replicate the creamy goodness of dairy? Dive into a world where innovation meets taste, as we explore the potential of non-dairy alternatives that can seamlessly fit into our lifestyle.

Thomas Bowman, CEO of Eclipse Foods, leverages his background as a fine dining chef and food scientist to bring fresh insights into the world of plant-based dairy. His transition from the kitchen to the boardroom provides a unique perspective on crafting products that taste and function like traditional dairy, while also being kinder to the planet.

Press play to hear Justine and Thomas' discussion about the science behind non-dairy milk, the importance of incorporating sustainable practices in business and personal life, the challenges and triumphs of pioneering a new era in dairy alternatives, how Eclipse is breaking new ground with partnerships, upcycling initiatives, and a commitment to creating products that deliver on both flavor and sustainability, plus much more.

Meet Thomas:

Thomas Bowman is the CEO of Eclipse Foods, a pioneering company in the plant-based dairy industry. With a rich background as a fine dining chef, Thomas honed his culinary skills in some of the world's most prestigious kitchens before transitioning into food science. This unique combination of expertise allows him to lead Eclipse Foods with a focus on creating plant-based products that not only taste like traditional dairy but also meet the highest standards of sustainability.

Under his leadership, Eclipse has successfully expanded into international markets, including Japan, by forming strategic partnerships and embracing cultural insights. Thomas's commitment to innovation is evident in the company's use of upcycling and sustainable sourcing, setting new benchmarks in the industry. His journey from CTO to CEO reflects his dedication to driving change and inspiring a new era of food production. Through his work, Thomas continues to challenge the status quo, offering consumers delicious alternatives that align with modern values.

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Episode Highlights:

02:24 The Science Behind A Non-Dairy Dairy

06:40 Launching in Japan

10:25 Cultural Surprises and Business Lessons from Japan

16:07 Is It Over-Processed?

19:50 Exciting Partnerships in the US

22:07 Debunking Plant-Based Dairy Myths

24:26 Sustainability and Upcycling in Eclipse's Process

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Creating Cow-less, Plant-Based Ice Cream that Truly Tastes Like the Real Deal with Aylon Steinhart

"Every community has different values, and every community should have different choices. And that's why local food is so important so that local communities and local farmers can decide what's most important to them and how they want to connect the people who grow our food with the people who are seeking nourishment." —Andy Naja-Riese

"The health of our Farmers Market is really dependent upon the health of our farmers." —Tanner Keys

Wonder why local food sometimes costs more, or if it's really worth the effort to shop there? The real story behind farmers' markets is more complicated—and more important—than you might think.

Andy Naja-Riese, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin, and Tanner Keys, Cooperative Agreement Manager for the Islands of Remote Areas Regional Food Business Center, have spent years on the front lines of food access. Their work in California and Hawaii gives them a unique view on what it takes to make local food affordable, how certification and regulations shape what you see at the market, and why these markets matter for everyone.

Listen in for honest talk about food prices, local farming, organic rules, food as medicine, and how farmers' markets are working to make healthy food available to all. You'll get practical insights, real solutions, and a fresh look at what's possible in your own community.

Meet Andy:

Andy Naja-Riese brings 17 years of experience in community food systems, public health, and food equity programs & policy. As Chief Executive Officer, he leads AIM's major programs, partnerships, strategic planning, advocacy, and fundraising, including a capital campaign for AIM's Center for Food and Agriculture in collaboration with AIM's Board of Directors. Andy joined AIM in 2018 after spending 10 years working for the Federal government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.

Andy is currently the Co-Chair of the Marin County Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Collaborative, serves on the Steering Committees of the Marin Carbon Project and Marin Community Health Improvement Plan, sits on the National Farm to School Network's Advisory Board, and represents AIM on the California Food and Farming Network & Food and Farm Resilience Coalition. He received the 2022 CVNL Heart of Marin Award for Excellence in Leadership and the 2023 Farmers Market Champion of the Year award from CAFF. He earned his master's degree from the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health and his bachelor's degree from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

He lives with his husband and dog in Sonoma, where he enjoys backyard gardening, cooking farmers market hauls, eating bagels, and enjoying Northern California's natural beauty

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Meet Tanner:

Tanner Keys grew up in an agricultural community & lifestyle that has instilled a passion for food & land. He has served in various roles with the Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance (HGFA) beginning in 2022, helping the organization in its beginning years and later leading a project of HGFA, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Market Association. Before that, he served as the Team Leader to the FoodCorps Inc., an AmeriCorps program, from 2019 to 2021. Tanner has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, and it was his service in the Peace Corps (Timor-Leste ʻ16-ʻ18) that led him back to the path of supporting agriculture & food security.

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Episode Highlights:

01:16 Geography and Food Access: How Location Changes Everything

06:13 Comparing Coasts: East vs West Market Experiences

10:38 Organic vs Certified— What "Certified" Really Means

16:53 Hawaii and California's Diversity

23:40 Making Markets Accessible

27:55 Permanent Market Dreams: Building for the Future

33:57 Are Farmers' Markets Expensive? The Real Price of Local Food

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Podcast

S5 Ep 27: AIM— Preserving the Farmer's Market for Everyone with Andy Naja-Riese Part 2S7 Ep1: Boosting a Healthy, Accessible Local Farm-to-Table Revolution with Andy Naja-Riese Part 2