Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg (by Food Tank)

Food Tank, in partnership with Emory University and Spelman College, recently hosted the “Empowering Eaters” Summit in support of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features a panel from the Summit focused on food as medicine and the approaches that nutrition experts, researchers, and private sector leaders are taking to ensure that all eaters have access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods. Panelists discuss healthy consumption patterns that go beyond the Mediterranean diet, cultivating a generation of compassionate scholars, and why we can’t lose sight of the joy that food brings.  Speakers include Tamara Melton, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Diversify Dietetics; Tambra Raye Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA); Dr. Kimberly Jackson, Director of Food Studies at Spelman College; Karuna Rawal, Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for Nature’s Fynd; and Steven Jennings, Stakeholder Relations and Brand Lead for Health & Sustainability at Ahold Delhaize USA. 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 moderates a discussion about new research and tools that can help the world adapt to a changing climate, protect agrobiodiversity, and transform our approach to and understanding of food and nutrition. Speakers dive into the architecture of a food system that will help eaters make sustainable choices, the recent work that aims to better understand diets around the globe, and measuring progress from farm to plate.  Speakers include Jessica Fanzo, Professor of Climate and Director of the Food for Humanity Initiative at the Columbia Climate School; Anna Herforth, Senior Research Associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a member of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative’s Scientific Advisory Committee; Gary Paul Nabhan, a writer, ethnobiologist, Research Social Scientist Emeritus at the University of Arizona, and the Co-Founder of Native Seeds/SEARCH; Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund; and Jonathan Lundgren, the Founder and Director of the Ecdysis Foundation. 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 moderates a discussion about the dark matter of food—the biomolecules found in our diets that researchers haven’t even discovered yet. They discuss why a term that might sound ominous is actually very exciting; the tools that will unravel the mysteries still present in our food, and what new research will enable as communities work to improve the health of humans and the planet.  Speakers include Steven Watkins, Founder of Verso Biosciences; Tracy Shafizadeh, Director of Programs and Partnerships Director at Verso Biosciences; and J. Bruce German, Distinguished Professor and Chemist Emeritus at the University of California, Davis and Chair of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative Scientific Advisory Committee. 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 this episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg'' Dani moderates a discussion about the new Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI), a global effort to analyze the more then 26,000 biomolecules found in food. Panelists explain what this research may mean for human health and biodiversity, the ways the initiative is leveraging the expertise of researchers around the world, and how partners are coming together to amplify the findings from the PTFI and make them more accessible.  Speakers include Selena Ahmed, Global Director of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative; John de la Parra, Director of the Global Food Portfolio for the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation; and Gina Kennedy, Director of Research for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative with the Alliance of Bioversity International - CIAT.  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.  

Food Tank, in partnership with Barr Mansion and Driscoll’s, recently hosted the All Things Food Summit at SXSW. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event. First, hear from Chef Olivia Hernandez, Founder of HER Hospitality, and Paul Newnham, Executive Director of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub as they sit down with Dani to talk about the role that chefs play in driving food systems change. They discuss the power of chefs as connectors as well as the many expectations placed on them and the fair wages that are an essential piece of a sustainable food system. Then Dani speaks with A-dae Romero-Briones, Vice-President at the First Nations Development Institute and Principal at Manzanita Capital Collective. They discuss the important role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play in food and agriculture systems, the disconnect between consumers and the foods they eat, and the diversity that builds resilience. 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.

Food Tank, in partnership with Barr Mansion and Driscoll’s, recently hosted the All Things Food Summit at SXSW. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event focused on activating people through the power of film. First, Ben Collier, CEO and Co-Founder of The Farmlink Project and Mike Meyer, Head of Advocacy for The Farmlink Project and a 5th Generation Cattle Rancher, sit down with Dani to discuss the documentary “Abundance,” which follows a group of college students who catalyze a national movement to end hunger in the United States. They discuss the early days of their food rescue efforts during the pandemic, launching and sustaining a movement, and what lies ahead when their work is only beginning to scratch the surface. Then, filmmakers Rebecca and Josh Tickell talk with Dani about their new documentary “Common Ground,” the followup to “Kiss the Ground.” They discuss how raising children introduced a sense of urgency and new meaning to their work, a new era of documentary filmmaking , and why sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is for one person to see a film. 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.

Food Tank, in partnership with Barr Mansion and Driscoll’s, recently hosted the All Things Food Summit at SXSW. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event focused on the health and wellbeing of future generations in policy. First, Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sits down with Dani to discuss the collaborative, whole of government approach that is being implemented to support healthy, nourished, and thriving communities. Then, Dani moderates a conversation on access, affordability, and healthier food environments which touches on federal programs that need protection and expansion to ensure that people can feed their families and the innovative partnerships that are helping the federal government advance their National Strategy to end hunger and support the wellbeing of all eaters. Speakers include Will McIntee, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement in The White House Office of Public Engagement; Kelliann Blazek, Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture and Rural Policy; Judy A. Monroe, MD, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation; and Hartina M. "Tina" Flournoy, an American political advisor who served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Kamala Harris from 2021 to 2022. 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 Deena Shanker, a journalist who reports on food, agriculture, and health for Bloomberg. They discuss the future of lab grown and plant-based meat, how cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have affected grocery retail sales, and the changing landscape of food journalism.   This conversation was part of a live conversation available only to Food Tank members, which featured a special Q&A session not included in the episode. To access these virtual events and have the chance to pose your own questions to changemakers transforming our food and agriculture systems, head to foodtank.com/join and find a membership level that works for you. New members also receive a special gift from Food Tank when they sign up.  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.

Food Tank and Duke University’s World Food Policy Center recently hosted the “Empowering Eaters” Summit in support of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two fireside chats from the event. First, hear from award-winning chef, author, educator, and advocate Sean Sherman, who sits down with Dani to discuss the harm colonization has caused to Indigenous food systems, the investment needed to undo this damage and support Native communities, and why it’s more important than ever before to build resilience. Then, Dani speaks with Baldemar Velasquez, the International President and Founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC). They explore the false division that exists between farmers and farm workers, the skill and effort required of farm workers, and the potential benefits of minimum commodity prices for growers. 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.

Food Tank and Duke University’s World Food Policy Center recently hosted the “Empowering Eaters” Summit in support of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event focused on policies and programs that nourish eaters and ensure that they can reach their fullest potential. First, Luis Guardia, President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), sits down with Dani to discuss the barriers to enrolling in nutrition assistance programs; the importance of protecting and expanding SNAP, the country’s first line of defense against hunger; and ongoing efforts to ensure that all children have access to healthy meals in schools. Then, hear a fireside chat between Dani and U.S. Congressmember Valerie Foushee, who represents North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. They discuss the work of the bipartisan House Hunger Caucus; the value of programs like WIC, which help to nourish mothers, infants, and young children; and the need to vote for policymakers who are passionate about the communities they serve and represent the values we believe in. 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 Regina (Anderson) Harmon, Executive Director of the Food Recovery Network (FRN), a nonprofit mobilizing young people to tackle food waste and hunger. They discuss the growing attention that food loss and waste is receiving and how that’s affecting the movement, the organization’s gleaning projects that focus on diverting fresh surplus food to those most in need, and why recovering food to feed people today is just one piece of the puzzle in today’s anti-hunger efforts. 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 Anna Lappé, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. They discuss how philanthropists can work in partnership with food producers to drive positive food systems transformation, the link between the fossil fuel industry and global food and agriculture systems, and why Lappé thinks of herself as neither an optimist nor a pessimist, but a possibilist. 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 Holly Freishtat, Senior Director of Feeding Change at the Milken Institute. They discuss the growing interest around Food is Medicine programs and the challenges to scaling them, the benefits that can come by leveraging the reach of pharmacists, and why Food is Medicine isn’t a panacea but part of a broader treatment plan. 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 conversations from a recent herbal education summit, hosted by Food Tank and Traditional Medicinals, which focused on herbal medicines in the food system. Speakers discussed the notion of “herbalism as activism,” the many benefits that plants offer to physical and mental wellbeing, and ways for eaters to incorporate more herbal medicines into their own lives. Speakers include Taryn Forrelli, chief science officer at Traditional Medicinals; Guido Masé, principle scientist and chief formulator at Traditional Medicinals; Deborah Vorhies, CEO of FairWild; Jocelyn Boreta, executive director of The Botanical Bus: Bilingual Mobile Herb Clinic; Dr. Nadja Cech, professor of chemistry at the University of North Carolina Greensboro; Dr. Holly Johnson, chief science officer at the American Herbal Products Association; Dr. Kevin Spelman, Founder of Health, Education & Research; and moderator Chloe Sorvino, food journalist at Forbes. 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 Nancy Dalton, the Head of Community Experience and Customer Marketing for Amazon Access. They discuss the benefits of online grocery shopping, which extend far beyond convenience for some eaters; the community outreach work that has helped to guide Dalton and her team; and what the private sector is doing to advance food is medicine initiatives. 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.

At a recent Summit during the Sundance Film Festival, Food Tank and 360 Communications presented a day of programming focused on food, environment, and the arts. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features a panel from the event about the new documentary “Susan Feniger. FORKED.” The film follows award-winning Chef Susan Feniger’s passionate struggle and quest to bring global street food under one roof in the form of a new LA restaurant: STREET. During the panel, Chef Feniger, Liz Lachman, the film’s Writer, Director, and Producer; and Lisa Donmall-Reeve, Producer and Creative Director at LDR Creative LLC, discuss the male-dominated culinary industry that Chef Feniger navigated throughout her career; the friendship between Chef Feniger and Chef Mary Sue Milliken that is central to the documentary; and the story of how the film came to be. 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.

At a recent Summit during the Sundance Film Festival, Food Tank and 360 Communications presented a day of programming focused on food, environment, and the arts. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features a panel about a chef’s perspective on food systems change. Chef Adrian Lipscombe, Founder of the 40 Acres Project; Chef Eric Gephart, Director of Culinary Inspiration for Kamado Joe; and Chef Dave White, author of Salted: A Recipe Book with a Story to Tell discuss the leadership role that chefs play in times of uncertainty, the work being done to address the toxic environment fostered in many restaurants, and the mental health challenges that many hospitality workers face. 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.

At a recent Summit during the Sundance Film Festival, Food Tank and 360 Communications presented a day of programming focused on food, environment, and the arts. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event. First, hear from Chef Bleu Adams, Founder and Director of IndigeHub and a member of the American Culinary Corps. She discusses strategies to bring more equity to the restaurant industry, why it’s important for her to be a part of the American Culinary Corps; and how IndigeHub is working to address the challenges that the Navajo Nation face. Then hear from Kimbal Musk, a chef, entrepreneur, food advocate, and author of The Kitchen Cookbook and Christiana Musk, Chair of Unreasonable Group and the Founder of Flourish Trust. They discuss the challenges of navigating conflicting research on livestock, and the role technology will play in the future of the food system, and how they’re reaching eaters with their new projects. 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.

At a recent Summit during the Sundance Film Festival, Food Tank and 360 Communications presented a day of programming focused on food, environment, and the arts. This episode of “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” features two conversations from the event focused on impact storytelling. First hear about the ways that documentaries are being used to not just inspire hope, but also drive action. Then hear a fireside chat that explores why we need to create space for new storytellers and what it will take to achieve this. Speakers include Jared Lipworth, Head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Executive Producer of Wild Hope; Bettina Dalton, Producer of Rachel's Farm and Every Little Thing; Josh Tickell, a Sundance Award Winning Filmmaker and the Co-Founder of Big Picture Ranch; and Sanjay Rawal, a film director behind documentaries including Gather and Food Chains. 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 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.