Episodes
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In March, the United States saw the highest rate of inflation in over 40 years. Coupled with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, like supply chain shortages, forced shutdowns and labor retention, restaurants are one of, if not, the most hardest hit demographic. Nearly 20% of New York City’s restaurants shut down forever as a direct result of the pandemic and others are struggling to get back to normal. In this particular climate – How can restaurants survive inflation?
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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This year, avian influenza has caused the deaths of over 40 million birds in the United States, mostly commercial poultry. Those losses show up as higher prices on eggs and meat at the grocery store, but the disease also casts light on the highly industrialized way poultry is produced in this country. The changes needed to reduce the risk of bird flu could also improve animal welfare, environmental protection, and maybe even taste.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Missing episodes?
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In the third episode of our mini-series on the state of labor, Harry Rosenblum, host of Feast Yr Ears and Time For Lunch, talks to Fred Mattera. Fred is currently the Executive Director at the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, and has been a commercial fisherman for over 4 decades.
Harry and Fred discuss how equipment innovation (or degradation) affects workers, and how consumer education and consumer-facing technology could help revitalize the industry and protect its workers.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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In the second episode of our mini-series on the state of labor, Sother Teague, host of The Speakeasy, talks to Maria Bastasch. Maria is a Partner at Disco Mary, a cocktail bar and collective of individuals passionate about plants, people, and partying like there IS a tomorrow. Sother and Maria discuss the challenges that bar and restaurant owners are facing when it comes to hiring for this busy holiday season.
Along the way they discuss more than just hiring, including: how her organization is trying to maintain their staff by shifting the culture around pay, benefits, health & wellness, and more.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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In the first episode of our mini-series on the state of labor, Katy Keiffer, host of What Doesn't Kill You, talks to Magaly Licolli. Magaly is the Co-Founder and Director of Venceremos, an organization that advocates for poultry workers' rights in Arkansas, the home of Tyson Foods. On this episode, Katy and Magaly discuss the idea of worker-driven social responsibility, in addition to fighting for poultry employees to get Covid-19 protections at the workplace and the taboo of talking about working conditions.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Follow along with a special mini-series of The Big Food Question that investigates labor issues across the food system. HRN hosts from across our network will sit down with expert guests to take a look at workers’ rights and organizing efforts, exploring big picture questions and practical solutions. From bartenders to delivery workers to commercial fishermen, our aim is to gain a new perspective on the intersection of labor issues with current events, climate change, and the food industry at large.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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“Regenerative Agriculture Needs a Reckoning,” wrote Joe Fassler, Deputy Editor of The Counter. Joe started out writing a short news piece, and ended up with a 13,000-word investigation on how regenerative agriculture is being defined, who is defining it, and who gets left out from the debate. Kat Johnson talks to Joe about his reporting and the wider conversation that it kick-started.
This episode is produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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After closing Meme’s Diner in November 2020, co-owner Libby Willis wanted to preserve the sense of community the restaurant fostered but wasn’t ready to open another traditional restaurant. Instead, she has transformed what restaurant operations can look like. Her new enterprise, KIT, is operating as an incubator of sorts, sharing the burden of business ownership with a cohort of owner-operated businesses while creating a cohesive experience for diners. Gain insight into how KIT is operating and the potential Libby sees for creating a more inclusive industry.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at TD Bank.
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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The challenges presented to restaurant owners during the pandemic have been countless. Some businesses have closed. Others have opted to ditch in-person dining and opted for take-away or delivery models. Both local meal delivery and nationwide shipping of meal kits and pantry staples have gained popularity.
A rarer take is shifting a business that solely offered online orders and pivoting to brick and mortar service. But that's exactly what Chef Surbhi Sanhi did. While most restaurants were doing the opposite, Sanhi found a way to turn Tagmo, her online business, into a physical storefront, bringing her unique South Asian sweets to the masses at South Street Seaport.
An unedited version of this interview first appeared on episode 81 of Opening Soon.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at TD Bank.
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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New York City’s mandated lockdown presented overwhelming challenges for bars, clubs, and restaurants in New York City. The city’s nightlife industry is made up of 25,000 establishments that support nearly 300,000 jobs with $13.1 billion in wages, and $35 billion in economic activity. (Source.) Many of these businesses turned to NYC’s Office of Nightlife for guidance and support during the pandemic.
The Office of Nightlife (part of Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment) is a liaison between NYC's nightlife industry and all other City agencies. Its purpose is to help establish and coordinate systemic solutions to support the nighttime economy, culture, and quality of life. In this episode we hear from Rafael Espinal, who sponsored the bill to create the Office of Nightlife in 2017, and Ariel Palitz, the office’s first Senior Executive Director who has played a big role in guiding the industry through Covid-19’s myriad impacts.
Read the Office of Nightlife Report here.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at TD Bank.
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Worker cooperatives are worker owned and democratically controlled businesses. They have been shown to lower pay disparities and demonstrate resilience in the face of crisis. But how do they run on a day-to-day basis? How can you start one or transform an existing business into a cooperative model? What potential do cooperatives have for strengthening our economy and our food system?
This episode addresses these questions and more. Commissioner Jonnel Doris of New York City’s Department of Small Business Services provides essential tips and resources for any New Yorkers interested in starting a cooperative. Steph Wiley and Karna Ray, worker-owners at the Black-led food distribution cooperative Brooklyn Packers, share their experience operating under this model as well as their vision for a more equitable food system.
Learn more about becoming a worker cooperative and get resources at owner2owners.nyc or call (646)363-6592.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at TD Bank.
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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As pandemic relief funds (like PPP and EIDL) are exhausted, many small businesses are still in need of grants, loans, and other financial services. In this episode, produced in partnership with TD Bank, we discuss new rounds of relief available through the American Rescue Plan. Plus, there are myriad evergreen opportunities through the Small Business Administration and nonprofit organizations like Acendus and the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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During some of the most harrowing months of the pandemic, journalist Simran Sethi set out to explore the definition and dynamics of food insecurity in the US. Simran’s piece doubled and then tripled in word count as she uncovered the complexities of how we define, track, and address food insecurity. She shares what she learned and informs listeners about what shifted during the pandemic, where our response fell short, and the potential to create change in the face of crisis.
Read her article, “Hunger and food insecurity are not the same. Here’s why that matters—and what they mean.”
This episode is produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Bartending has existed since, well…. forever. For as long as people have been drinking, there have been people who have made, sourced, and poured those beverages into cups in front of people for money. On this special episode hosted by Greg Benson (bartender and host of Back Bar and The Speakeasy), we look at education for the bar industry. Greg welcomes Nonna Titulauri, a Diageo Bar Academy World Class Finalist who lives and works in San Francisco. She’s been behind bars since she was a 21 year old college student. They discuss why so many ‘bartender schools’ are so lacking and what resources are available to bartenders who are just starting out or looking to build skills. This episode was supported by Diageo Bar Academy.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Native enterprises and nonprofits are working to ensure food sovereignty for their communities and neighbors. Land access and capital are key to this mission, and philanthropic grants are often a major source of funding. However, grant money often comes with many strings attached and reporting requirements that bog down the organizations they’re trying to help.
Marilyn Noble’s reporting in The Counter examines how philanthropies (often private foundations with large endowments) currently support Tribal communities and what advocates say they could be doing better.
Read Marilyn’s full piece here
This episode is produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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As the United States rolls back pandemic era restrictions, many restaurants are welcoming eaters back and expanding their seating capacity. After more than a year of isolation, reopenings offer a sorely missed space to connect.
Doug Mack discusses an article he wrote for The Counter, which examines the social and cultural benefits of gathering spaces like restaurants by drawing on the academic concept of a “third place.” Plus, enjoy anecdotes from eaters about what they have missed most about dining out and the reasons restaurants are more than the food they serve.
This episode was produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Special thanks to everyone in the HRN community who shared their memories and anecdotes: Shari Bayer, Nikki Salazar, Alicia Qian, Caroline Fox and Tash Kimmel.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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The global pandemic has restricted and eliminated the in-person experiences the hospitality industry relies upon to survive. Many are turning to virtual events as a way to continue to engage their customers and create new revenue streams. A successful virtual event can open up a geographic market far beyond a local customer base, while offering the same intimate experience to every single person, whether the audience is 10 or 100,000. On this episode of The Big Food Question, Tech Bites host Jennifer Leuzzi answers the question, How do you produce successful virtual events? With expert advice from David Bengali theatre and media production designer, Belinda Chang sommelier, and Kristin Madden, Vice President of Bowen & Company.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
Check out Tech Bites, Jenn’s show on food and technology (Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS).
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Cities across the country have struggled with the speed, efficiency, and equity of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. This episode examines the logistics, workplace politics, and questions of fairness that have accompanied the vaccine distribution for restaurant workers.
Hear from people with intimate experience navigating questions of safety, immunity, and personal choice among restaurant staff. Then get the perspective of one chef who has filled out New York’s vaccine application thousands of times. Finally gain insight from a New York City official who hopes the restaurant industry will lead the way to economic recovery.
To get in touch with Tracy Wilk and her vaccine registration partner Cat Capps about scheduling a vaccine email: [email protected].
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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Covid-19 put school lunch in flux, as cafeteria trays were reconceptualized as brown bags and meal boxes. USDA waivers freed school cafeterias from former limitations about who they can feed and what food they can serve. Previous episodes have covered the effect of these waivers on accessibility and school funding. Today, with the help of The Counter writer Sam Bloch, we investigate how the trajectory school food has been heading in for the past decade was dramatically altered during the pandemic when rigorous nutrition standards were rolled back in response to growing need and supply chain challenges. Many pediatricians, public health experts and parents are growing concerned about potentially rising rates of childhood obesity, which often has lifelong effects. However tensions run deep in the debate about how to balance nutrition with concerns about hunger, accessibility and personal taste, leading to ethical questions about the role of privilege and the right to healthy food.
This episode is produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Read Sam’s article about school lunch and childhood obesity here.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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This week, we have an update on school lunch, as we mark one year of Covid-19’s impact on our food system. Jessica Fu from The Counter is back to explain some unexpected ramification of the USDA waivers that made school lunch free for all children under 18. Due to this change, free lunch applications are down and this could have a negative impact on future school funding.
This episode is produced in collaboration with The Counter – a nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan newsroom investigating the forces shaping how and what America eats.
Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]
This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The Big Food Question is powered by Simplecast.
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