Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg (by Food Tank)

This podcast explores the transformative impact of food and environmental storytelling through conversations with industry experts. It discusses the power of documentaries in inspiring hope and action, the role of storytelling in shedding light on marginalized communities, reframing emotions with genetic data, involving young people in environmental conversations, and the challenges faced by filmmakers.

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the U.S. Department of State about the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, an initiative that aims to boost agricultural productivity and nutrition by developing diverse, climate-resilient crop varieties and building healthy soils. They discuss the promise of “opportunity crops,” how the initiative is trying to kickstart a new way of thinking, and why it’s so important for VACS to go back to basics with a focus on crops and healthy, fertile soils. 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.

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage, an organization working to end subminimum wages in the United States. They discuss the inspiring progress that workers have celebrated, why the only future for the restaurant industry is one that provides life-sustaining wages to employees, and what it means to be a part of the fight for fair pay at a time when, as Jayaraman says, “we’re finally winning.” 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.

This week’s episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two recent, live fireside chats, moderated by Dani. First, hear from Million Belay, General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, who discusses the need to invest in youth, the differences he sees between the agroecology and regenerative agriculture movements, and why he is pushing for a model for food systems that is grounded in community. Then, hear from Sandra Uwera, Global CEO of Fairtrade International. She touches on opportunities to empower women in agriculture, the connection between fair prices for farmers and environmental sustainability, and the regional networks that are helping producers improve their resilience. Both conversations were organized by Food Tank and the Food and Agriculture Pavilion during the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28). 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.

Guests discuss topics such as improving access to groceries for Snap recipients, advocating for fair wages in the food industry, the potential of seaweed and kelp, changing food trends and flavors, the rise of zero-proof alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, exploring the benefits and concerns of Ozampic and GLP1 agonists, and the future of meat alternatives.

During the recent U.N. Climate Change Conference, Food Tank participated in more than 30 conversations to underscore the importance of transforming food and agriculture systems to address the climate crisis. This week’s episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two fireside chats, moderated by Dani, from the Conference.  First, in a session organized by Food Tank and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, hear from Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She discusses how California’s food producers are impacted by the climate crisis and the steps that they and the state government are taking to adapt. Then, in a session organized by Food Tank at the Food and Agriculture Pavilion, hear Dorothy Shaver, Global Food Sustainability Director for Unilever explain why the private sector doesn’t have time to waste on pilot projects and what she’s looking for in relationships with producers and fellow food businesses.  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.

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Brent Loken, Global Food Lead Scientist for WWF. The discuss the wins the food movement saw at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the strategic work that is needed to break down silos, and what lies ahead on the road to COP30 to ensure that global leaders continue to view food and agriculture systems as a solution to the climate crisis. 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.

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Irene Li, Co-Founder of Mei Mei Dumplings, Co-Founder of Prepshift, and Co-Author of Perfectly Good Food: A Totally Achievable Zero Waste Approach To Home Cooking. They discuss what it was like to write a cookbook that encourages experimentation, the biggest challenges that lead to food waste in the home, and the new restaurant models emerging that give her hope for the future of the hospitality industry. 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.

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance. They discuss why the Regenerative Organic Certification touches on soil health, animal welfare, and workers, the greenwashing taking place in the regenerative agriculture movement (and what to do about it), and what it means for the success of the label to come back to the farmers nourishing the world. 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.

On "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg," Dani speaks with Tope Fajingbesi, and agricultural and social impact entrepreneur, author, educator, and the Co-Owner of Dodo Farms in Maryland. They discuss the highly spiritual nature of agricultural work, how Dodo Farms is bridging the gap between Nigeria and the United States with the crops they grow, and Fajingbesi's plans to create space for women in food and agriculture to connect and build community.  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.