Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg (by Food Tank)

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Alissa Viera and Lindsay Williams of the Toledo, Ohio-based ice cream manufacturer Swanky Scoops. They discuss the grants that allow local economies to flourish, the impact that delays in the reimbursement of funds can have on small food businesses, and how federal grant freezes — even when temporary — can undermine trust. 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.

In this conversation, Sam Acho, a former NFL player and humanitarian, shares his inspiring journey in transforming a Chicago liquor store into a community food mart, emphasizing humility and support for local entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Karen Washington, a passionate farmer and activist, dives into the challenges of food justice amidst social inequities. They discuss the need for community empowerment, the impact of fear in uncertain times, and the shift from ‘food deserts’ to the more accurate concept of ‘food apartheid,’ advocating for systemic change in food access.

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Kerstin Plehwe, President of the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) International Foundation. They discuss why nutrition education for doctors is still lagging, the link between diet and mental health, and the efforts underway to make sure that hospitals are serving healthier, more climate-friendly food. 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 Mark Lewis, a Managing Partner at Trailhead Capital. They discuss what ag-tech investors can learn from the renewable energy sector; collecting the proof to demonstrate the social, environmental, and economic benefits of regenerative farming; and why Lewis remains an "eternal optimist." 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.

Toni Tipton-Martin, an award-winning food and nutrition journalist, delves into the rich culinary history of Southern women, shedding light on their powerful contributions to American cuisine. She emphasizes the importance of including marginalized voices in food narratives and how recipes tell the stories of communities. The dialogue also touches on the implications of the foreign aid freeze on global hunger and public health, alongside vital discussions on USDA funding and the preservation of biodiversity through community resilience.

In this insightful conversation, Patrick Holden, a farmer and the founding director of the Sustainable Food Trust, discusses pressing issues in food and farming. He emphasizes the urgent need to rethink our fragile food systems and advocates for true cost accounting to reveal hidden environmental impacts. The dialogue also touches on California's climate crisis and its effects on agriculture, while underscoring the importance of collaboration and open communication among stakeholders to address sustainability challenges.

Gerardo Reyes Chavez, a key leader of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, passionately discusses the harsh realities facing farmworkers in the U.S. He reveals the transformative power of the Fair Food Program, detailing its role in combating abuses and empowering workers. The episode sheds light on modern-day slavery in agriculture and emphasizes the importance of consumer activism in demanding fair treatment. With personal stories and calls for reform, Reyes inspires listeners to engage in advocacy for vulnerable laborers in the food system.

Tom Philpott, a Senior Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and author of 'Perilous Bounty,' dives into the evolving landscape of food policy. He discusses the challenges and importance of food journalism in the current political climate, highlighting the impact of consolidation in agriculture as a threat to democracy. Philpott critiques industrial farming practices and their socio-economic consequences, while also emphasizing the need for mentoring future journalists to drive change in food systems.

Food Tank, in partnership with Nespresso, recently hosted the "All Things Food and Environment" Summit, held during Sundance 2025. This episode of Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg features two conversations from the event highlighting the inspiring stories of food systems transformation that can be told through film. First, Chef Pierre Thiam, an author and the Founder of Yolélé, and Anne Marie Hagerty, the Host and Founder of The Envoy Show, sit down with Dani to discuss the forthcoming episode of a new docuseries focused on the power of fonio. They talk about the importance of scaling production of traditional crops for farmers and the planet, why this grain is a Trojan horse, and culinary diplomacy. Then, Lynn Waymer, a social impact producer with Kontent Films, talks to Dani about the new documentary "Farming While Black." They dive into the trust that is foundational to telling an effective story, the Black farmers including Leah Penniman and Karen Washington behind the movement for more regenerative and equitable agriculture systems, and how the documentary is being used as an educational tool. 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 Jessica Padula, Vice President of Marketing and Head of Sustainability for Nespresso. They discuss the environmental and economic benefits of knowledge sharing between coffee farmers and agronomists, efforts to manage packaging waste and create a more circular economy, and initiatives that can help producers overcome challenges caused by natural disasters or political conflict to establish resilient coffee farms. 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.