The Big Food Question

Due to the increasing number of covid cases across the US, the CDC has recommended that people celebrate the holiday with people in their own households. This means, the best advice is to forgo both traveling and gathering extended families and friends. This is a tough call for a lot of people to make, so the CDC also compiled Guidelines for a Safe Thanksgiving.

Of course, here at HRN we’re thinking a lot about how covid precautions are going to change how we shop, cook, and enjoy our Thanksgiving dinners. Kat Johnson shares advice on how to make this holiday as stress-free as possible, while keeping safety and health front of mind. She also calls up Atlanta-based chef and restaurateur, Chris Hall, to learn how his restaurants are working to meet the needs of their customers this Thanksgiving. 

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This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

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Last month, FERN.org (The Food and Environment Reporting Network) reported that “school meal programs have lost more than $483 million so far during the pandemic.” What exactly is going on here, and why does this situation make the case for universal free school lunch?

To learn more about the financial stresses on school nutrition programs, Kat Johnson speaks to Karina Piser, who wrote that piece on FERN.org.

Then, Dr. Katie Wilson, Executive Director of the Urban School Food Alliance, makes the case for universal school lunch. By taking the burden of family income off of children, shifting resources from bureaucracy to nutrition, and destigmatizing poverty, universal school lunch would fundamentally change our public education system – and our society as a whole.

This episode is part of a three-episode mini-series created in collaboration with The Rockefeller Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation's Food Initiative and global commitments, visit rockefellerfoundation.org/commitment/food.

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It happened. Election day came and went. Some races resulted in big changes or flipped seats. In North Carolina’s 115th District, Rep. John Ager won reelection, but the Republicans will maintain their majority in the State House of Representatives.

In this follow-up interview, Ager speaks with Kat Johnson about where he and the NC Democratic Party go from here. They also discuss how messaging impacted the 2020 campaign in Western North Carolina, the ‘Cannabis Caucus’ and its work on legalizing medical marijuana and deregulating hemp farming, and what can be done to increase access to land and money for new farmers.

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All eyes are on election day. While the presidential election is dominating the headlines, down ballot races have the potential to transform state legislatures, county commissions, and city councils across the country.

In this episode, we focus on a state-level race in a district that includes a mix of urban and rural communities. John Ager serves in the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the 115th district in the state House of Representatives since 2015. He serves on the Agriculture Committee and comes from a farming background (his family owns and operates Hickory Nut Gap Farm). Rep. Ager speaks to Kat Johnson about this strange campaign season, his vision for agriculture and climate policy in North Carolina, and why a Democratic majority in the state’s House of Representatives would create an opportunity for him to push for the changes he envisions.

This is part one of our conversation with Rep. Ager. Part two will be recorded and air after the election on November 3rd.

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York City restaurants were given the green light to reopen at 25% capacity for indoor dining on September 30th. In this episode, we check in with operators to consider the many logistical factors that have compounded with policy to determine if and how they have made indoor dining work for their establishments. This includes considering the size and layout of the space a restaurant has access to, their staffing capacity, sanitation procedures, and the attitude of their customers. Ultimately, we want to know whether 25% capacity, or even the looming possibility of 50%, is enough to keep independent restaurants afloat.

Further Listening

Hear our past coverage of how Chinatown restaurants have been impacted by the pandemic on Meat and Three Episode 68 and Episode 79.

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The pandemic has brought long standing issues of food access and insecurity to the forefront. While hunger and lack of access to affordable and healthful food is by no means a new problem, individuals and families are finding it harder than ever to put food on the table. 

In this episode, we’re taking a look at how non profit organizations, farmers, and individuals are offering growing expertise to their communities to empower more of us to grow our own food. Connecting eaters with farmers and their wealth of knowledge is an important pipeline to deepen our cultural understanding and ownership of the food we eat. 

We hear from Kathleen Finlay, the president of The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, and garden designer and co-host of We Dig Plants, Carmen DeVito. Plus we’re featuring an excerpt from Soul Fire Farm’s video series “Ask a Sista Farmer”, with their co-founder Leah Penniman and Julialynne Walker of Bronzeville Agricademy. 

Find Carmen’s video series here. 

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Big Food Question by becoming a member!

The Big Food Question is Powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re asking: how can we all be respectful when dining out, to our fellow patrons, and most of all, to front of house staff? Restaurants are facing their toughest challenge ever and have relied on community support throughout the pandemic: to buy gift cards, order takeout, and even simply donate to support their staff. Now that they can host diners in-person, they’re depending on those who show up to do their part in keeping everyone safe. Hear from Jamie Fass about ROAR’s 10 tips for being a responsible and respectful patron. 

Find The Good Diner 10 as a list and as a slideshow on Instagram and share it widely. 

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

COVID-19 has made the simple act of grocery shopping a life and death decision. In-person shopping and delivery both offer their own unique set of ethical and safety concerns. There are however, other options out there.

In this episode, we’re exploring one model of contactless retail as a case study and asking: are vending machines the future of food shopping? We speak with butcher and entrepreneur Josh Applestone of Applestone Meat Company, based in New York’s Hudson Valley, about his newest venture. 

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hear from folks who were on the ground in Central Iowa during the Derecho storm in August. Despite Iowa’s history of weather extremes, the state struggled to bring relief to those affected. This episode focuses on the 14 million acres of crops that were flattened and shares how Iowa farmers are grappling with the storm’s aftermath. 

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode takes a look at how Covid-19 has impacted street vendors and asks how New York City can support them. Deputy Director of The Street Vendor Project, Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez shares strategies for integrating street vendors into the formal economy, including vendors in coronavirus relief efforts, and organizing across boroughs and language barriers. The episode hones in on the city’s cap on mobile food vending permits and the increasing momentum to raise it with Intro 1116. 

To learn more about The Street Vendor Project, visit their website here and follow them on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for updates on their organizing efforts. 

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.