Eat. Drink. Think.

What is the true cost when federal programs designed to strengthen regional food systems are canceled? Civil Eats’ Lisa Held joins us to share what she learned from the dozens of farmers, regional food systems program managers, and organizations affected by the funding cuts. She shares more from her feature, “Losing Ground,” and the effects of changes under Trump’s USDA.

What if the solution to some of our biggest environmental and food security challenges was already swimming in our oceans and waterways? In this episode of Eat. Drink. Think., we sit down with Andrew Zimmern and Barton Seaver, co-authors of The Blue Food Cookbook, to explore how intentional seafood consumption can improve public health, the environment, and coastal communities around the world.Part seafood primer, part recipe collection, their brand-new cookbook is filled with expert tips, favorite dishes, and fascinating anecdotes from both chefs. We discuss how to shop confidently at the fish counter, what seafood to prepare on a busy weeknight, and why blue foods are key to healthy, delicious eating.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

According to Michael Twitty, chef, culinary historian, and author of The Cooking Gene, southern food is community. It’s a shared abundance of vegetables, beans, barbecue, breads, and more served at what he calls “the groaning table.”In this episode, Michael shares how he took on the challenge, in writing his latest book Recipes of the American South, to tell the story of Southerners from all backgrounds including those with African, European, indigenous, Latino, and Asian heritage. He also shares his personal connection to the traditions and ingredients that have shaped Southern food over centuries.Find the transcript and show notes here.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

In this episode of Eat. Drink. Think., host Amy O’Neill Houck talks with Michele Thorne, Executive Director of the Good Meat Project, whose work is dedicated to creating a more transparent and ethical food system.Michele shares her journey and the mission of the Good Meat Project, explaining how the organization connects consumers, ranchers, butchers and chefs to build a stronger, more sustainable meat supply chain. The discussion unpacks the power of consumer choice and why buying as close to the source as possible is an effective way to know more about the qualities of not only the meat, but the people who raised and prepared it with care.She offers insight into the work done to support a food culture that values the land, animals, and people, and why a foundation of shared resources and community is essential to the future of truly good meat. This conversation offers a taste of the change, and community, behind every bite.Find the transcript and show notes here.This episode is brought to you by the Good Meat Project, a national nonprofit that provides farmers and ranchers, butchers and chefs, everything they need to promote ethical meat from consumer-facing directories to marketing services, and from extensive online resources to one-on-one technical support. You can learn more at goodmeatproject.org.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

Megan Westgate, founder of the Non-GMO Project, introduces a new standard, NonUPF Verified, that will help consumers understand and make choices about ultra-processed foods. Drawing on the success of the Non-GMO Project in driving widespread market changes, Westgate emphasizes the power consumers have to influence the food system through their purchasing decisions. Listen in to find out when you might see the new Non-UPF Verified labels on packages and some of the brands who are early adopters of the movement.Find the transcript and show notes here.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

The story of food in the United States—as with many of the origin stories of this country—is tied to migration, enslavement, and colonization. It’s also filled with generous helpings of resilience, essential dishes passed down through generations, and delicious adaptation. In her new book, Braided Heritage, Dr. Jessica B. Harris explores the origins of American cooking from the perspective of three cultures—Native American, African, and European. In this episode, we sit down with Harris to discuss how those three cultures’ foodways intertwine, influence one another, and continue to transform and evolve with each generation.Find the transcript and show notes here.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

In this episode of Eat. Drink. Think., Amy talks with Greg D’Alesandre, whose job title, Chief Sourcerer at Dandelion Chocolate, hints at the magic behind one of the world’s most beloved ingredients. Greg shares his journey into the world of craft chocolate and what it’s like to travel to cacao farms around the world, building relationships with producers and sourcing the beans that become Dandelion’s unique single-origin bars.The discussion unwraps the science, artistry, and human ingenuity behind chocolate from growing and fermenting cacao to the ethical complexities of the global supply chain. Greg offers insight into the socioeconomic challenges facing cacao farmers, the importance of direct trade, and why paying fair prices is essential to the future of truly good chocolate. Whether you're a casual chocolate lover or a serious connoisseur, this conversation offers a taste of the work, and wonder, behind every bite.Find the transcript and show notes here.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Pallaoro, CEO of Teton Waters Ranch, maker of 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef products. Kevin shares his passion for raising the bar on what "grass-fed" and "regenerative" really mean—terms that currently lack clear regulation in the U.S. Teton Waters Ranch is taking matters into its own hands by developing transparent, third-party certified standards rooted in humane treatment, environmental stewardship, and integrity. This episode takes a candid look at how one company is redefining meat with a conscience.SPONSORE: This episode of Eat. Drink. Think. is brought to you by Teton Waters Ranch — a longtime partner of Edible Communities. Their 100% grass-fed beef is better for the land, better for the animals, and better for you. Like us, they believe good food starts with good stewardship — of soil, community, and conscience. Learn more at tetonwatersranch.com.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

How do policy changes in Washington affect the food we eat and the folks who produce it?From funding such as farm subsidies and food assistance programs to food safety regulations and trade agreements, food policy is a far-reaching influence on what we eat, how food is produced and distributed, as well as our health and nutrition.In this episode, we’re chatting with Lisa Held, senior staff reporter at Civil Eats. Lisa has been following the wave of changes coming towards the food system via her real-time reporting in the Civil Eats Food Policy tracker.We talk with Lisa about the latest food policy updates and how it affects food growers, producers, business owners, and eaters.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities

In this episode, we sit down with Will Harris, a fourth-generation cattleman and the force behind White Oak Pastures, a 3,200-acre farm in Georgia that has become a national model for regenerative agriculture. Harris shares his journey from industrial cattle production to holistic farming methods that prioritize animal welfare, soil health, and ecosystem restoration which he chronicles in his book: A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: One Farm, Six Generations, and the Future of Food.We discuss the challenges he faced during the transition, the resilience his farm has developed—especially the face of crises like bird flu and unprecedented storms—and his belief that consumer demand can drive meaningful change in our food system. Harris makes the case to eaters, fellow farmers, and would-be farmers to join him in a slow pendulum swing back to ecological balance for humans, the land, and what we eat.The Eat.Drink.Think. Podcast is brought to you by Edible Communities.Edible Communities is the largest media organization devoted to telling the local stories and sustaining the efforts of the farmers, chefs, food artisans, fishers, vintners and home cooks who feed us.Our growing network consists of 75 independently owned, regional magazines across the U.S. and Canada. From Boston to Bozeman, Vancouver to Martha’s Vineyard and New Mexico to New York, our dedicated publishers lead the conversation about local and sustainable food and drink in their community. As the overarching media company, we specialize in:> Cultivating our robust network of independent publications that reach a loyal and engaged audience of conscientious consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada > Producing events that bring thought leaders and community members to the table> Developing custom content in collaboration with brands that align with our core valuesSince Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian founded the business in 2002, many of our publishers’ magazines each year are recognized and awarded for their quality content. We were given the honor, Publication of the Year, by the prestigious James Beard Foundation in 2011.Learn more at www.EdibleCommunities.com and follow us on Instagram @edible.communities