Feed: a food systems podcast

Raj Patel, a research professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a panel member of IPES-Food, dives deep into the hidden costs of our food system's reliance on fossil fuels. He discusses how this connection impacts food production and socioeconomic inequalities, particularly for working-class families. Patel also critiques colonial legacies in agriculture and advocates for a shift towards sustainable, community-driven food systems. Furthermore, he emphasizes transitioning to a care economy that prioritizes equity and grassroots action for a more resilient future.

Fossil fuels are woven into nearly every aspect of modern agriculture - from powering farm machinery to creating plastics and supporting data-driven tech like precision agriculture. But what would it take to reduce or even eliminate their use on farms? We dive into both replacement technologies and transformative food production methods like agroecology, exploring the obstacles and limitations of scaling different solutions. Visit the episode webpage for more resources.This series is powered by TABLE, IPES-Food and Global Alliance for the Future of Food.GuestsDarrin Qualman, National Farmers Union CanadaPat Mooney, IPES FoodJennifer Clapp, IPES FoodSwati Renduchintala, CIFOR-ICRAFProduced by Matthew Kessler, Anna Paskal and Nicole Pita. Edited by Matthew Kessler. Audio engineering by Adam Titmuss. Cover art by The Ethical Agency. Music by Blue dot sessions.

Joanna Larson, a fourth-generation farmer from North Dakota, shares her journey towards sustainable farming, highlighting the shift from traditional to eco-friendly practices. Lisa Tostado, an agrochemicals campaigner, explains the fossil fuel roots of fertilizers, challenging the reliance on these inputs for food production. Christine Delivanis emphasizes the need for farmer education to combat fertilizer overuse. Together, they explore innovative strategies to reduce dependency on fossil agrochemicals and discuss the future of sustainable agriculture.

How did fossil fuels become so embedded in our food systems? We trace this journey from the industrial extraction of guano, through the game-changing Haber-Bosch process, to today’s globalized food system. Along the way, we uncover the hidden impacts on biodiversity, farmworkers, and our oceans—revealing the true cost of this reliance on fossil fuels.        In Fuel to Fork, a new podcast series powered by TABLE, IPES-Food and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, we expose and explore the fossil fuels in our food, speaking to farmers, chefs, food industry experts, scientists and campaigners. Each episode delves deep into a different step of the food supply chain.         GuestsJennifer Clapp, IPES-FoodDarrin Qualman, National Farmers Union CanadaPat Mooney, IPES-Food and Etc GroupNavina Khanna, HEAL AllianceRashid Sumaila, University of British ColumbiaProduced by Matthew Kessler, Anna Paskal and Nicole Pita. Edited by Matthew Kessler. Audio engineering by Adam Titmuss. Cover art by The Ethical Agency. Music by Blue dot sessions.

“For many of us, how fossil fuels are integrated across the food chain is highly invisible.”    When we bite into a juicy apple, barrels of crude oil and natural gas cylinders might not spring to mind. But fossil fuels are the hidden ingredient behind all of our food. For every calorie that ends up on our plates, around 10 calories of fossil fuels are used. From the diesel powering the tractors to the fertilizer in the field and plastic packaging, fossil fuels are the lifeblood of the food industry.     In Fuel to Fork, a new podcast series powered by TABLE, IPES-Food and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, we expose and explore the fossil fuels in our food, speaking to farmers, chefs, food industry experts, scientists and campaigners. Each episode delves deep into a different step of the food supply chain.         GuestsAnna Lappé, Global Alliance for the Future of FoodRaj Patel, IPES-FoodErrol Schweizer, IPES-FoodNnimmo Bassey, Health of Mother Earth FoundationChristine Delivanis, SystemIQProduced by Matthew Kessler, Anna Paskal and Nicole Pita. Edited by Matthew Kessler. Audio engineering by Adam Titmuss. Cover art by The Ethical Agency. Music by Blue dot sessions.

When we bite into a juicy apple, barrels of crude oil and natural gas cylinders might not spring to mind. But fossil fuels are the hidden ingredient behind all of our food. For every calorie that ends up on our plates, around 10 calories of fossil fuels are used. From the diesel powering the tractors to the fertilizer in the field and plastic packaging, fossil fuels are the lifeblood of the food industry.What are the options to phase out fossil fuels in food and what are the powerful forces standing in the way? To find out, subscribe to Fuel to Fork.This series is powered by TABLE, IPES-Food and Global Alliance for the Future of Food.Learn more at https://fueltofork.com/

Are food systems allies or enemies in the fight to save biodiversity? With our planet facing a biodiversity crisis, the answer depends on who you ask and what forms of life we prioritize. We speak with farmers, biophysical modelers, and biologists to explore whether producing food and conserving biodiversity can be achieved at the same time. We also discuss how our diets impact biodiversity, whether farming without soil can be better for biodiversity at large, and what it would take to effectively "shrink" the food system.For more info, transcript and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode71GuestsAnna Lappé, Global Alliance for the Future of FoodEls Hegger, AardighSilvia Quarta, La Junquera FarmBernd Blossey, Assoc Prof at Cornell UniversityAdrian Müller, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Episode edited by Ylva Carlqvist Warnborg and Matthew Kessler. Produced by Matthew Kessler. Music by Blue dot sessions.

How do philosophers, animal welfare scientists, and farmers differ in their understanding of what a good future for farmed animals looks like? TABLE researcher Tamsin Blaxter discusses the complex relationships between humans and non-human animals and how these connections shape our food choices. We talk about who gets to speak with authority on these topics, the connections between scientific research and animal welfare regulations, and our own experiences with eating and not eating meat. Read TABLE explainer: Animal welfare and ethics in food and agriculture (2024)Register/watch TABLE event Rethinking animals in agriculture: welfare, rights and the future of food (10 September 2024) For more info, transcript and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode70GuestsTamsin Blaxter, Writer and researcher at TABLE, University of OxfordEpisode edited and produced by Matthew Kessler. Music by Blue dot sessions.

Environmental economist Adan L. Martinez-Cruz (Senior Lecturer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), argues that markets are a fundamental aspect of human society. He suggests that assigning a monetary value to natural resources can provide environmental benefits and create economic incentives to achieve them. In this episode, we discuss concept of non-market valuation, consider whether nature has inherent value, and examine whether markets are the best way to ensure fairness in the cost of food for both consumers and producers.For more info, transcript and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode69GuestsAdan L. Martinez-Cruz, Environmental Economist at Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesEpisode edited and produced by Matthew Kessler and Ylva Carlqvist Warnborg. Music by Blue dot sessions.

Philosopher and environmental researcher Ville Lähde (with the Finnish BIOS Research Unit) argues that we need to understand biodiversity differently at a fundamental level in order to preserve it. Biodiversity loss is much more than the list of extinct and endangered species. In our conversation, we talk about the myriad food systems and their different relationships with biodiversity, what are the hidden costs of simplifying biodiversity, and why Ville feels closest to biodiversity when working with his compost pile.Read the Life Matters Everywhere essayFor more info, transcript and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode68GuestsVille Lähde, Philosopher and environmental researcher at BIOSEpisode edited and produced by Matthew Kessler and Ylva Carlqvist Warnborg. Music by Blue dot sessions.