Fermentation y’all! A way to preserve food over a long cold season. A source of amazing nutrients and probiotics for your body. An expression of culture and identity. An action we can take in the steps towards reclaiming our food system. Oh, and it’s also really tasty! Amanda Feifer of Phickle.com sat down with Jaq to share her rich experiences navigating the world of fermentation. Learn what it is, why you would want to do it, and how you would go about making your own tasty fermented creation. Come explore the wondrous art of fermentation with us!

Quick Bites is a new series giving you a behind the scenes listen to our guests talking candidly with Host Jaq Gleason. Interesting questions, quick answers, and a whole lot of laughter. This episode features Paul Shapiro, Vice President of Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States. Jaq interviewed him as part of our upcoming in-depth podcast on sustainable meat. Enjoy this little taste and remember, food worth eating is worth discussing.

Food labels are the cause of much debate these days, especially when trying to understand what they are actually trying to convey to us, the consumers. In this episode we explore the term natural—what we think it means and how that’s been co-opted by the last two decades of corporate takes overs of small natural food companies. Clarissa Leon, Food Editor of Alternet.org, joins us to share her thoughts on this trend, as well as the details of a recent lawsuit against Kashi and Kellogg over their use of the natural label and what this could mean for other food processors.

Have you ever been told, “Your bread is fantastic, you should sell it!” Or maybe you’re interested in starting a small business out of your home as a way to generate a little extra cash. Perhaps you are already doing this, but you’re not really sure if it’s legal.

Good news, it probably is. Over 30 states have recently passed laws allowing food made in the home to be sold to the public. These are commonly referred to as cottage food laws, but in California it is known as the Homemade Food Act of 2012.

There are many people working to transform our food system into something more equitable and sustainable. The Homemade Food Act provides an opportunity to do just that. We spoke with a number of different people within the cottage food movement to hear their stories.

Food, justice, and the entrepreneurial spirit find their full expression with SolidariTEA. This Bay Area based organization is dedicated to supporting the efforts of local non profits through the sale of a delicious and healthful beverage. They've created a new, sustainable model to address the funding challenges facing non profits today, and are partnering with People's Grocery and the Rock Paper Scissor Collective in Oakland. And of course, SolidariTEA is also a tasty addition to your grocery shelf! Jaq spoke with Co-Founder and Product Manager Trey Jalbert about SolidariTEA's philosophy, which is exemplified in who they partner with, where their tea comes from and how its made.

Know your farmer know your food, eat local, eat real, you've heard this story for awhile now. But what about real milk? Raw milk activists have been pushing for years for the right to produce and sell raw milk to the public. The FDA and many public health officials warn that it is an extremely harmful product, particularly for children. Yet others believe that it is a key component of eating a healthy, whole foods diet. Here's a story that highlights the ongoing struggle to redefine our food system to reflect the health needs of the people and the environment. Raw Milk Revealed in episode #8.

On Episode #7 we learn about all the amazing works of Tree & the folks at The Free Farm Stand in San Francisco & we get some restaurant tips from Geneva Europa, Co-Owner of Savor Oakland Food Tours.

Free Farm Stand: Like: facebook.com/freefarmstand Website: FreeFarmStand.org

Savor Oakland: Follow: @SavorOakland Website: Savor Oakland Tumblr: savoroakland.tumblr.com

The post 07: The Free Farm Stand: A History appeared first on Real Food Real Talk.

Our Thanksgiving Special features turkey carving tips from 4505 Meats' Head Butcher Thomas McEntee, Pastry Chef Jessica Entzel's spin on the Thanksgiving classic pecan pie, & we talk food waste recovery with Food Runner's Founder Mary Risely.

Food Runners: Website: Food Runners Donate Volunteer

4505 Meats: Follow: @4505meats Website: 4505 Meats Like: facebook.com/4505meats

Pastry Chef, Jessica Entzel's:

Orange Pecan Pie Tarts

> Tart filling

• 3/4 Stick butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 c molasses
• 1/4c maple syrup
• 1/4c agave nectar
• 2 tsp Orange liqueur
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups pecans (or any other nut!

The post 06: Giving thanks, with a twist appeared first on Real Food Real Talk.

From permaculture and food as medicine, to art and technology, we talk the many facets of food justice with Food Activist and Impact Hub Oakland's Co-Founder Ashara Ekundayo. Dehydration as a method of preservation that can be delicious and addicting, Randall Hughes of Oaktown Jerk shares his delicious methods with us. Where can you get tasty food, a great beer selection and some spicy Cajun Po'Boys? Well, probably lots of places, but East Bay Express Restaurant Critic Luke Tsai gives us the goods on some prime spots in the East Bay.

The post 05: Making Impact - Conversations with a Food Activist appeared first on Real Food Real Talk.

25 million people in the U.S. live in food deserts, Mandela Marketplace tells us about how they are rectifying that in West Oakland. Olive oil is at the top of the list for food fraud. What's in your Olive Oil? 4th generation farmer Jonathan Sciabica explains & a delicious soup recipe from San Francisco native & food blogger Tara Condell.

Chorizo Lentil Soup recipe on this episode: Food and Other Things

Info about Food Deserts: http://apps.ams.usda.gov/fooddeserts/foodDeserts.aspx http://www.cdc.gov/features/fooddeserts/ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/13/174112591/how-to-find-a-food-desert-near-you http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=high-and-dry-in-the-food http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/can-food-deserts-become-oases http://grist.org/list/this-sobering-map-shows-you-all-of-americas-food-deserts/ http://www.economist.com/node/18929190 http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/05/food-desert-map-united-states/37530/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-blumenthal/food-deserts_b_3822428.html http://www.foodispower.org/food-deserts/

Sciabica & Sons Olive Oil: sunshineinabottle.com

The post 04: How far do you go for Groceries? Food Deserts in the U.S. appeared first on Real Food Real Talk.