Andy Cato, a renowned musician and co-founder of Wildfarmed, shares his dual passions for music and sustainable farming. He discusses nutrition on world tours and uncovering his favorite food spot at Glastonbury. Andy reflects on his transition from music rights sale to farming, motivated by environmental concerns. He dives into the significance of community support in achieving sustainability and shares heartwarming memories tied to food, emphasizing the connection between culinary and musical experiences.
Andy Cato shares how his early food experiences shaped his culinary journey, transitioning from unappetizing school meals to a deep appreciation for sustainable food production.
Cato highlights his shift from music to farming, focusing on regenerative practices that enhance soil health and promote transparency in food sourcing.
Deep dives
Early Food Memories Shape Culinary Perspective
The discussion begins with Andy Cato reflecting on his early food experiences, particularly the Sunday roast that evokes feelings of homeliness and safety. He recalls the comforting sounds and smells of cooking, along with the family atmosphere created around the dining table. School meals, however, paint a contrasting picture, characterized by unappetizing dishes often described as 'tepid mush,' highlighting the evolution of his tastes as he grew older. These formative experiences established his foundational views on food, underscoring a journey from mundane school meals to culinary exploration in his later life.
The Journey from Music to Farming
Cato shares insights on his transition from a successful music career with Groove Armada to a dedicated focus on farming through his company, Wild Farmed. His interest in sustainable agriculture sparked when he encountered an article discussing the environmental impacts of food production, which compelled him to start growing his own vegetables. Selling the publishing rights to his music allowed him to invest in farming, leading to the realization of the intricate relationship between soil health, food quality, and nutritional value. This shift illustrates a significant change in his career path, revealing a passion for creating a better food system.
Creating a Sustainable Food System
Wild Farmed aims to redefine food production by prioritizing regenerative practices that foster soil health and biodiversity, challenging conventional farming methods reliant on chemical inputs. Cato emphasizes the importance of transparency in food sourcing, aspiring to connect consumers with the origins of their food choices. Through partnerships with various businesses, including restaurants and supermarkets, Wild Farmed ensures that sustainably produced ingredients reach the public. His advocacy for fair compensation for farmers further underlines a commitment to reforming the food industry, focusing on equitable practices that promote environmental stewardship.
Andy Cato is a musician, record producer and DJ, and is perhaps best known as one half of the Grammy Award-winning electronic music duo Groove Armada.
Andy is also a farmer and now puts his energy into championing a better food system as co-founder of Wildfarmed, the UK’s leading regenerative food and farming company. Backed by Jeremy Clarkson and hundreds of farmers nationwide, regenerative farming methods place nature at the heart of food production: protecting natural landscapes, minimising pesticide use and building food security.
On the podcast, he tells Lara about nutrition on world music tours, his favourite food spot at Glastonbury Festival and why he sold the rights to his music to pursue regenerative farming.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode