Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg (by Food Tank)

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Peter Goldsmith, a Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for Part 7 of Food Tank's series exploring the far-reaching impacts of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. They discuss Goldsmith's reaction to the sudden loss of federal funding for the Soybean Innovation Lab, how he's kept his work alive, and why we can never replace the patient work of publicly-supported research.

Plus, the U.S. midterm election results could reshape food and farming systems, USDA commits additional funding...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with John Boyd, Jr., a fourth-generation farmer, advocate and the Founder and President of the National Black Farmers Association. They discuss the strain that trade policies and supply chain disruptions are placing on farmers, what makes the challenges today worse than the farm crisis of the 1980s, and why the upcoming midterm elections are so important to the future of agriculture in the United States.

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 "...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and Director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, about his new book Food Is Medicine: Healing Our Bodies, Nourishing Our Minds and Transforming Our Food System. They discuss how food has become one of the biggest issues facing humanity today, framing nutrition as a celebration of the good in our diets—not a fight against the bad, and why transforming our food and farming systems may be achievable more quickly than we think.

Plus, cases of Ebola climb in Kenya, ex...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Catherine Oakar, Executive Director of FRESHFARM. They talk about the mounting pressure eaters face after federal funding cuts, how farmers markets serve as community gathering spaces and economic engines, and why supporting our local food systems helps us build resilience.

Plus, clean energy may be out of reach for farmers, a report exposes the widespread exploitation of food workers, the WHO calls for a new approach to tackle childhood obesity, tens of millions may face crisis-level hunger, and one organization connects food banks with protein- rich seafood. 

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, CEO of Food Systems for the Future Institute. They answer the question if the next food crisis has begun, the forces putting groceries out of reach for families, and where publicly-supported supermarkets and strong policy fit into food access solutions.

Plus, new research shows the benefits of medically tailored grocery programs, food scrap programs convert waste into compost, businesses fail to grasp supply chain vulnerabilities, and calls grow for more food systems investment, from dryland farming to climate-resilient seeds.

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On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Columbus Batiste, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, lifestyle advocate, and the Co-Founder of Healthy Heart Nation. They discuss the link between stress and chronic illness, overcoming distrust of scientists and medical professionals, and how we build nutritional resiliency.

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 is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three conversations from our Summit, "The Future of Food Education." First, Dani and Alexandra DeSorbo-Quinn (Pilot Light) talk about the work being done to expand access to food education in classrooms. Next, Dani and award-winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson talk about mentorship and fueling connection through food. Then, Kim Severson (New York Times) and farmer and advocate Karen Washington (Rise & Root Farm) talk about what's happening in the food justice...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three conversations from our "Water and Blue Foods Summit." First, Dani sits down with Sara Roversi, Founder of the Future Food Institute to talk about building sustainable aquatic ecosystems. Next, Dani and Kaveh Madani (U.N. University Institute for Water, Environment and Health) talk about the state of water bankruptcy and how we move forward. Then, Dani speaks with 

Simone Venturini, Mayor of Venice and Riccardo Luna (V...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

Food systems leaders celebrate author, nutritionist and NYU Professor Emerita Marion Nestle for her 90th birthday. Dani is joined by speakers including author Ruth Reichl, Kathleen Finlay (Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming), New York Times reporter Kim Severson, Culinary Historian and Food Studies Scholar Cathy Kaufman, author Francis Moore Lappé, and singer-songwriter Amber Rubarth.

This event was held in partnership with NYU and Rodale Institute.

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing conversations from our Summit, "Acting at the Speed of Crisis: Challenges & Opportunities for Food Security Rapid Response." First Dani talks about early warnings for global food security with Inbal Becker-Reshef (Microsoft AI for Good Lab and Co-Director NASA Harvest), Evan Fraser (Arrell Food Institute), and Simon Winter (RF Catalytic Capital). Then, Dani speaks with H.E. Minister Taras Vysotskyi (Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine) about strengthening...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three conversations from our Summit, ""Chefs Save the World." First, Dani and Chef Sean Sherman (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems) talk about The Regional Indigenous Nutritional Guide—a tool for understanding how to eat that centers Indigeneity over colonial food systems. Then a panel of chef advocates talk about their approaches to food systems transformation. Speakers include Ellie Krieger (Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger and Ellie's Real Good Fo...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three conversations from our Summit, "The Roots of Organic: From Soil to Shelf." First, Dani speaks with Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield and Organic Voices) about how far the organic movement has come and where it needs to go. Next, Dani talks about urban food systems resilience and community leadership with Sheryll Durrant (Just Food and the International Rescue Committee's New York New Roots Program). Then, Dani and Selena Ahmed (Periodic...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three conversations with sustainable food business leaders from our Summit, "The Roots of Organic: From Soil to Shelf." First, Dani speaks with Paul Schiefer (Amy's Kitchen) on the shift away from ultra-processed foods. Next, Suzanne Sengelmann (Lundberg Family Farms) joins Dani to talk about expanding the organic market. Then, Shawna Nelson (Organic Valley) and Dani talk about creating climate and economic resilience for producers.

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing three sessions from our Summit, "The Roots of Organic: From Soil to Shelf." First, Dani and Leah Penniman (Soul Fire Farm) talk about farming as healing and the urgent work that's needed to protect the farm workers who feed us. Then two farmers — Annie Watson (Sheepscot Valley Farm) and Amy Bruch (Cyclone Farms) — share their love stories to land, family, and community.  

This event was held in partn...

In this episode, we're sharing two conversations from our Summit, "People-Focused. Climate-Friendly. Food-Forward New York City." First, Dani and Siddhartha Sanchez (NYC Mayor's Office of Food Policy) sit down to talk about building a sustainable food future for New York City. Then Dani speaks with Maggie Baird (Support + Feed and Mother of artists Billie Eilish and Finneas), Emma Curtis (Strong Roots), and Ora Kemp (NYC Mayor's Office of Food Policy) to talk about an approach to climate solutions that lead with joy and celebration. 

This event was held in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office o...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing a fireside chat from our Summit, "Nourishing the Future: How Farming Practices Shape the Food We Eat, the Health We Build, and the Longevity We Seek." In this conversation award-winning chef, television personality, and food systems advocate Andrew Zimmern sits down with Melissa Clark (New York Times) to talk about the policies and practices we need to build regenerative food systems that nourish healthy communities. 

This event w...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing two sessions from our Summit, "Thriving Farms and Ranches." First, Dani and John Piotti (American Farmland Trust) share their perspectives on what it takes to create agriculture systems where farmers can flourish. Then Secretary Karen Ross (California Department of Food and Agriculture), Tim Fink (American Farmland Trust), and Commissioner Amanda Beal (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry) join Dani to talk about state policies accelerating conservation practices.

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing two conversations from our "Mission Driven Brands Sustainability Summit." First, Dani speaks with the First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom to talk about how her state is leading the way with its Farm to School program. Then, Rob Samuels (Maker's Mark) talks about regenerative agriculture from grain to glass. 

This event was held in partnership with Bel US, Northstar Recycling, Global Traceability Framework for Beef and L...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing two conversations from our Summit "Solving Food Waste is a Key Solution to the Climate Crisis." First, Dani sits down with U.S. Congressmembers Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Nikki Budzinksi (IL-13), and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) to talk about advancing a national policy agenda on food waste. Then Dani speaks with Julie Gehrki (Walmart Foundation and Walmart Inc) and Jackie Suggitt (Walmart) to talk about circular solutions from...

Food Tank is live all week at WNYC-NPR's The Greene Space to talk solutions for food, agriculture, and environment during Climate Week NYC.

In this episode, we're sharing conversations from our Summit "Putting Farmers First: How Young Farmers are Shaping the Future of Food." First, Michelle Hughes (National Young Farmers Coalition) and Caitlin Leibert (Amazon Grocery and Whole Foods Market) sit down to talk about investing in beginning farmers. Then three farmers — Sarah Jones (Jones Farms Organic), DeVonne Jackson Perez (Good Ground and Brooklyn Packers), and Amalia Colón-Nava (Dirtbaby Farm) — share their love of the land, famil...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark about her new book Medicine for All People: Science and Ancient Wisdom for Revolutionary Healing. They discuss why food was pushed out of medical education, reclaiming the medicines that truly heal us, and how to create your own kitchen apothecary.

Plus communities see early action paying off before the effects of El Niño intensify, rising diesel prices add to farmers' worries, U.S. states challenge the public charge rule, a social enterprise in South Africa helps families avoid the poverty tax, and Uganda commits o...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with author and journalist Roger Thurow, about his new book Abiding Hunger: An American Paradox. They discuss how hunger became a part of the national fabric even as it continues to be overlooked and ignored, the smallholder farmers bearing the brunt of this crisis, and what we should be demanding from legislators in the leadup to the next election.

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...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Robin Arzón, Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton about her new book Eat to Hustle: 75 High-Protein Plant-Based Recipes. They talk about meals that work for every body and lifestyle, ditching myths around plant-based diets, and finding joy in foods that are fun—not just functional.

Plus, learn how you can support communities affected by the recent flash floods in Nepal and Tibet, a new regional climate fund aims to strengthen climate resilience for Pacific Island nations, the EU announces support for food security in...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Alice C. Hill, the David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment at the Council on Foreign Relations, for Part 6 of Food Tank's series exploring the far-reaching impacts of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. They discuss how USAID's closure is impacting climate risk, the decisions we need to make now to keep communities safe in the future, and staying optimistic by pushing forward work that matters.

Plus, FEWS NET stops reporting on three "hunger hotspot" countries, land restoration efforts around the world continue...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Kat Taylor, Founder of TomKat Ranch and TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation. They discuss how we scale regenerative agriculture and mitigate risk for food producers, why school meals are such an incredible lever for change, and the power of listening deeply and empathizing completely to advance shared goals for food systems transformation.

Plus, high-level talks on drought and desertification kick off this week, organizations mobilize to help communities impacted by recent earthquakes in Colombia and Indonesia, innovations help women fishers reduce post-harvest waste, a new resource helps decision-makers identify...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Director General for the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). They discuss the insect being used to create everything from biofertilizers to animal feed, the efforts underway to control diseases transmitted by the world's deadliest animal—the mosquito, and private sector collaborations helping icipe scale their innovations around the world.

Plus, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces two actions focused on food safety and nutrition, the Senate Farm Bill fails to advance out of Committee, research on microorganisms in Me...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Betty Kibaara, Director for the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation, where she leads the implementation of the Regenerative School Meals Initiative in Africa. They discuss how school meals can do far more than feed children—creating reliable markets for farmers, restoring ecosystems, strengthening local economies, while improving health and education outcomes—and the government support needed to sustain these programs well into the future.

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 "...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Jerry Glover, a Distinguished Fellow at the Food Security Leadership Council for Part 5 of Food Tank's series exploring the far-reaching impacts of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. They discuss how the agency supported agricultural research and development, why this mattered in the U.S. and abroad, and filling the vacuum left by USAID's closure.

Plus, a record number of schools use a federal meal service option to tackle child hunger, what's missing from the conversation on the cyclospora outbreak, extreme heat dries Europe's farmland, and...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Maximo Torero, Chief Economist for the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization about the latest report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. They discuss the decline in global hunger, why the cost of a healthy diet is significantly higher than in 2020, and the policies that can help countries expand access to nutritious food for all.

Plus, farmers in Bangladesh protest harmful pesticides, the Rodale Institute announces an ambitious campaign to transition 10 million acres to organic and regenerative organic, USDA employees warn relocation plans...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Director of the East and Southern Africa Division at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). They discuss what this year's super El Niño means for farming communities and agricultural supply chains, the lessons learned from extreme weather events of the past, and why investing in resilience is cheaper than responding to disaster.

Plus, an FTC settlement with John Deere secures the right to repair for U.S. farmers, an estimated 700,000 have died due to USAID's dismantling, Ugandan producers push back against an oil pipeline, a...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Vijay Kumar Thallam, Executive Vice Chair of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (the Farmer Empowerment Organisation). They discuss the conventional agriculture practices based on outdated science, the growth of one of the world's largest agroecology projects, and the women central to the initiative's success.

Plus, India acts to empower women farmers, a judge orders USDA to restore millions in land- access grants for producers, Nigeria's hunger crisis worsens, plant-forward food procurement offers the EU €11.6 billion in returns, and a new home for reliable climate data replaces the platform shuttered by th...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Jessica Fanzo, a Professor of Food Policy & Climate at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Europe. They discuss whether decisionmakers' awareness of the links between food, agriculture and climate is growing, the amazing potential of food systems transformation in urban centers, and what Fanzo believes would be a "game changer for humanity."

Plus, organizations step up to help the victims of Venezuela's earthquakes, heatwaves hit Europe, 4.7 million people lose access to SNAP, and new research shows that an investment in food and agriculture systems can create...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Patrick Webb, a Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and Caitlin Grady, Associate Professor and Director of Research and Policy at the Global Food Institute at the George Washington University, for Part 4 of Food Tank's series exploring the far-reaching impacts of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. They discuss what the loss of USAID means for global food and nutrition security, the disappearance of institutional memory, and how we get back to a place where we once again embrace science. 

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Paul Lightfoot, General Manager of Patagonia Provisions. They discuss how the brand is proving it's possible to grow profits while investing in sustainable practices, awakening eaters to the harms of fossil fuel based agriculture, and the business risks that are paying off.

Plus El Niño — predicted to be one of the strongest on record — has begun, researchers discover a new gene that helps rice crops withstand heat, a project operating across Latin America and African countries is helping 10,000 farmers transition to sustainable farming, and more. While you're listen...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Kristin Coates, Co-Founder and CEO of Regenerative California. They talk about creating a regenerative farm in a region dominated by conventional agriculture, pathways to build a more hopeful food future, and how the organization's model can be spread to other counties and beyond.

Plus, demand for raw milk continues despite health risks, a new briefing affirms that African countries already have proven alternatives to synthetic pesticides—now they need to scale, the presence of New World Screwworm is confirmed in the United States, a marine biologist works with fi...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Patience Kabwasa, Executive Director of Food to Power. They discuss how the organization is reclaiming land stewardship practices and building solutions with community, Colorado's recent policy wins to strengthen food access for children, and how the organization is responding to setbacks created by federal funding cuts,

Plus, the US Department of Agriculture proposes closure of bee research facilities, food insecurity in the U.S. rises beyond COVID rates, the Colorado River reaches a historic low, dryland farmers lead climate resiliency, and reflections from FIMCON food as medicine gathering. 

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Nicholas Enrich for Part 3 of Food Tank's series exploring the far-reaching impacts of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. Enrich is a former civil servant who worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development under four administrations and the author of the new book Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID. During their conversation, they talk about why he released a series of whistleblower memos to expose the administration's actions, the generational impacts of dismantling the agency, and advice for...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Dana Gunders, President of ReFED, and Emily Broad Leib, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. They discuss how the adoption of GLP-1 drugs is impacting food waste at the household and retail levels, how grocers and restaurants can respond to shifting eating habits, and what's happening at the state and federal level to keep food out of landfills.

Plus, the dismantlement of USAID continues to impact global communities, Ebola cases rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo...

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Jordan Chamberlin, an agricultural economist and a principal scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). They talk about how new data and tools can help farmers manage risk, improving soil health without expensive inputs, and the impacts of conflict and funding shortages rippling through communities.

Plus, shifting geopolitics threaten to push food prices higher, Fiji pushes a new organic farming policy forward, three-quarters of USDA researchers say they won't relocate, and the World Food Programme announces a record-breaking investment in home-grown school meals.

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On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University to talk about the recently passed House Farm Bill. They discuss what it means for rising food insecurity, MAHA's influence on the legislation, and what lies ahead as the Senate prepares to take up the Farm Bill in the coming weeks.

Plus, Australia prepares for new anti-food waste laws to take effect, new research reveals the power of agricultural cooperatives, the COP31 Presidency pushes for clean energy, and more. 

While y...