Category: Changing Food Cultures

Food From the Radical Center by Gary Paul Nabhan

America has never felt more divided. But in the midst of all the acrimony comes one of the most promising movements in our country’s history. People of all races, faiths, and political persuasions are coming together to restore America’s natural wealth: its ability to produce healthy foods.

In Food from the Radical Center, Gary Nabhan tells the stories of diverse communities who are getting their hands dirty and bringing back North America’s unique fare.

Is This the End of the Small Boat Fisherman?

What’s a guy to do when life slaps him in the face? When a roll of the boat knocks him to the
deck? When a rogue wave drenches him in water? He gets up, dries himself off, and figures out a way.

Pete Knutson has always been the kind of guy to find a way around the hurdles and challenges life tosses his way.

What Food Is On Your Deserted Island?

Traveling in a campervan – The Rainbow – for 10 months across South America with two kids and a dog; Nico Parco, our contributor, reminds us that with such limited space, the question of food is important.

However, as they roam from country to country, from culture to culture, the pantry changes in appearance: a bag of aplanchados in Colombia, the finest chocolate in Ecuador, rich gourmet sauces in Peru, empanadas in Chile, pizzas and pastas in Argentina.

How Did Our Daily Bread Go Wrong?

Bread went from being a major part of our ancestors’ food intake to being a very small part of the food we eat today. Heavy, rich, and nutritious bread was once a daily staple; today commercial “industrialized” bread is produced in fully automated factories and is full of chemical additives and preservatives, too much salt, and has too little nutritive value. What went wrong?

Big Food Snaps Up More Independents

It’s another dark day for all of us in the Good Food Movement.

Today it was announced that Campbell’s will buy Pacific Food, producer of organic and natural soups and broths, plant-based milks, and more. Last week, Hain Celestial snapped up Better Bean Company. More buy-ups and consolidations. More money, more power games.