Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg (by Food Tank)

Join chef and humanitarian José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, as he discusses food as a human right and the need for policy reforms to combat hunger. He highlights the importance of integrating humanitarian aid with local resilience efforts. Culinary historian Michael Twitty, known for his insightful work on Southern foodways, shares his journey uncovering the painful and rich heritage of Black Americans in agriculture. Twitty emphasizes the significance of history in shaping equitable food policies and celebrates kinship through shared culinary traditions.

In a compelling discussion, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski and Shontel Brown delve into the urgent need for fair food policy. Budzinski highlights the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act and its potential to connect farmers with food pantries while addressing the rising demand for food assistance. Brown shares her personal experiences with SNAP, emphasizing its critical role for families and advocating for bipartisan solutions to combat food insecurity. Both leaders stress the importance of sharing stories and supporting local agriculture in these tumultuous times.

Crystal FitzSimons, President of the Food Research & Action Center, discusses the critical impacts of food policy on nutrition security and shares personal stories highlighting the importance of SNAP and school meals. Michel Nischan, Chef and founder of Wholesome Wave, reveals the innovative concept of produce prescriptions and its growing reach. They also delve into the challenges of federal funding cuts, the need for equitable support for diverse farmers, and the importance of building coalitions to advance food policy for healthier communities.

Sam Kass, a former senior policy advisor for nutrition during the Obama Administration and author of The Last Supper, discusses urgent food and climate issues. He highlights the potential impacts of a government shutdown on nutrition assistance and warns about current climate-driven losses affecting our food systems. Kass emphasizes the necessity for cultural shifts and pragmatic solutions to navigate impending climate crises, as well as innovative technologies that can transform agriculture. His insights provide a hopeful outlook amidst the challenges we face.

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa, the Founder and Executive Director of Helen's Daughters. They discuss how the organization is strengthening the capacity of women farmers in the Caribbean by teaching them technical skills and financial literacy, the mental health toll of changing weather patterns, and concerns that U.N. Climate Change Conferences have become networking events that leave little space to focus on the implementation of solutions. Plus, hear about how the African Union is mobilizing funds to support the continent's agri-food systems and what Food Tank is thinking about as we celebrate World Food Day. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.

Stacy Dean, the Carbonell Family Executive Director for the Global Food Institute at GW, dives into pressing food policy issues. She discusses the recent changes to SNAP and the consequences for vulnerable families. The conversation touches on the USDA's impacts from the government shutdown and the need for a planet-friendly diet as outlined in the EAT-Lancet report. Dean also highlights the economic benefits of Zero Budget Natural Farming in India and emphasizes the importance of supporting young leaders to drive transformative change in food systems.

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Jonathan Kung, a chef, cookbook author, and influential content creator known for his vibrant "third culture" cooking—blending cultural traditions, flavors, and ingredients that hold personal meaning. They discuss what it means to be a third culture cook, how to combat misinformation around nutrition and health, and the local, grassroots communities that he hopes to see more young people plug into to drive change. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.

Academy Award-nominated actor Stephanie Hsu opens the discussion with her personal journey connecting arts and regenerative agriculture. Sea Matias shares touching stories from his Abuela about food and community, illustrating the essence of culturally rooted food sovereignty. Karen Washington highlights the urgent need for diversity in farming and the devastating impact of federal funding cuts on small farmers. Together, they emphasize the importance of land stewardship, community support, and collective action for a more just food system.

David Moscow, an actor and producer known for his work on *From Scratch*, explores the art of storytelling through food systems and shares his adventures on a regenerative farm in Bermuda. Sam Kass, a former nutrition advisor for the Obama administration, delves into pressing food policy issues, criticizing recent decisions that threaten public health. He emphasizes the relationship between climate change and food disruption while stressing the need for empathetic communication to engage the public on climate issues.

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space running food and agriculture programming at Climate Week NYC with over 300 speakers, 60 performers, and 15 events. Watch these conversations live on Food Tank's YouTube channel, or by visiting FoodTank.com. While you are on our website please also become a Food Tank member to ensure programming like this continues. This episode takes you to our summit Chefs Change the World, in partnership with Organic Valley and the James Beard Foundation. Our first conversation with Florence Fabricant (The New York Times) and our own Danielle Nierenberg. They reflect on food writing, restaurants, and responsibility. Then, Ruth Reichl (Gourmet Magazine) and Priya Krishna (The New York Times) discuss the power of storytelling, criticism, and kitchens as engines of change. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.