Marketplace All-in-One Feeding the Family
Dec 22, 2025
In this enlightening conversation, Alice Wilder, a Marketplace reporter on food insecurity, shares insights on budget cooking and viral TikTok 'recession recipes.' Alan Perlstein, CEO of California Cultured, discusses the innovative production of lab-grown chocolate and its environmental benefits. Mitchell Hartman profiles chefs Tom and Mariah Pisha Duffley, who navigate the busy holiday rush while prioritizing family meals. Finally, Dylan Mietinen dives into the quirky history of Jell-O, exploring its evolution in American culture.
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Lab-Grown Chocolate As Climate Adaptation
- California Cultured grows cocoa cells in labs to create chocolate ingredients as a climate-adaptive alternative to traditional cacao farming.
- They plan to sell ingredients and license technology to large chocolate firms facing climate and tariff pressures.
Social Media Teaching Cheap Cooking
- TikTok creators like Kiki Ruff teach inexpensive, practical recipes to help people afford meals amid rising grocery costs.
- Her videos turn staples into crowd-pleasing dishes and rapidly grew her audience during economic strain.
Stretch Your Grocery Budget For Potlucks
- Shop sales and shop at discount grocers to stretch limited budgets when cooking for gatherings.
- Plan simple, shareable dishes so you can bring homemade food without overspending.