It’s All About Food

Hanna Garth is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Princeton University, author of Food in Cuba: The Pursuit of a Decent Meal, and coeditor of Black Food Matters: Racial Justice in the Wake of Food Justice. Food justice activists have worked to increase access to healthy food in low-income communities of color across the United States. Yet despite their best intentions, they often perpetuate food access inequalities and racial stereotypes. Hanna Garth shows how the movement has been affected by misconceptions and assumptions about residents, as well as by unclear definitions of justice and what it means to be healthy. Focusing on broad structures and microlevel processes, Garth reveals how power dynamics shape social justice movements in particular ways. Drawing on twelve years of ethnographic research, Garth examines what motivates people from more affluent, majority-white areas of the city to intervene in South Central Los Angeles. She argues that the concepts of "food justice" and "healthy food" operate as racially coded language, reinforcing the idea that health problems in low-income Black and Brown communities can be solved through individual behavior rather than structural change. Food Justice Undone explores the stakes of social justice and the possibility of multiracial coalitions working toward a better future.

Caryn Hartglass and Gary De Mattei cover the impact on our culture and how it can be used to help us lead healthier, more compassionate lives – or the opposite, creating habits that are addicting and damaging to all life on earth. They stress the importance of community (shared meals, potlucks, eating in restaurants), especially in these highly politicized times that are trying to divide us.

Lianna Levine Reisner, MSOD, is building a multicultural movement for health as President and Network Director of Plant Powered Metro New York, an organization she co-founded in 2019 to empower local communities to prevent and reverse chronic disease through evidence-based, plant-based nutrition. To address her family’s health challenges, Lianna had been searching for clear, evidence-based nutritional guidelines that made sense for her family. The writings of T. Colin Campbell, PhD, and his colleagues made a compelling case for whole food, plant-based nutrition, helping her to lose 20% of her body weight, reverse endometriosis and hormonal imbalances, and heavily reduce her allergies and skin issues, among many other benefits. Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center honored Lianna as a 40 Under 40 Rising Star in Food Policy in 2022. Lianna holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell, and she is a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator through Main Street Vegan Academy. She is also a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. With a Master’s from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management, Lianna previously worked as an independent coach and consultant serving UJA-Federation of New York, providing organizational change support to Jewish nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area. She lives in the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her husband and three children.

In this episode, Caryn explores why weight dominates our resolutions, the truth behind weight-loss drugs, today’s loudest diet trends, the harm of fat-shaming, and the real goal hiding beneath it all: health, freedom, and peace with food. Featuring Nutritarian and Whole-Food Plant-Based inspiration, mouthwatering SOS-free recipe highlights, and a spotlight on NYC restaurants proving that oil-free, salt-free, refined-sugar-free dining isn’t extreme — it’s deliciously sane. Let’s drop the chaos. Not the carbs.

In this episode of It’s All About Food, Caryn Hartglass reframes Thanksgiving leftovers as opportunities — to reduce food waste, save money, and create delicious plant-based meals. The episode covers U.S. food-waste context, a light history of the “doggie bag,” practical food-safety and storage tips, and dozens of creative leftover transformations (roasted veg, stuffing, potatoes, beans, sauces, and sweet sides). Listeners get mindset strategies for planning and preventing waste, simple sauce tricks to revive meals.

Hartglass & De Mattei, Celebrating Abundance: Vegan Recipes to Love, Share, and Savor In Part II of this series on Thanksgiving, Caryn and Gary share the delicious, joyful part of the celebration: their favorite vegan recipes. For the entire Cozy Plant-Powered Feast, go to https://responsibleeatingandliving.com/hartglass-de-mattei-celebrating-abundance-vegan-recipes-to-love-share-and-savor/.

Hartglass & De Mattei: Speaking Of Birds In this episode Caryn and Gary tell the stories of the birds in the media today – the plight of Turkeys and Ostriches that are raised for food, and how they deserve so much more from us. Plus, they share their respect for their city neighbors, the Pigeons. Links mentioned in the podcast: United Poultry ConcernsKaren Davis, PhD, For The BirdsWhy Is the US Not Vaccinating Poultry Against Bird Flu?The View From: Washington, Investors Head for the Hills With a New CommodityCanada Culls Hundreds of Ostriches as a Court and a Kennedy Fail to Save Them

Interview with Mark Reinfeld, Islands of Peace

In this episode Caryn reviews food insecurity and the history of SNAP, the Supplemental Food Assistance Program and the changes that are taking place today due to the shutdown and current politics; COP30 and climate-related events; animal rescues, meat analogs; animal foods and UTIs.

Caryn talks about the upcoming No Kings protests and protests in history like the Haymarket Affair, while preparing to perform the role of anarchist, activist Emma Goldman in a contemporary opera. She shares recipes for some favorite comfort foods for cool autumn weather. Halloween, UNICEF, the Farm Bill, and Bird Flu are other topics she discusses.

Caryn Hartglass, Seasoned Wisdom – Herbs, Spices and Seeds Caryn goes into detail about all the herbs, spices and seeds used in her daily food preparation.

Teresa Mares is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Vermont and Affiliated Faculty in Food Systems. Her research and teaching examines food labor, food movements, and immigration from Latin America to the US. Dr. Mares has years of experience collaborating with activists in food and labor justice movements. Her first book Life on the Other Border: Farmworkers and Food Justice in Vermont was published by University of California Press (2019). She has also published widely in journals like Agriculture and Human Values, Food and Foodways, and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. She earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a Graduate Certificate in Women Studies from the University of Washington. She lives in Charlotte, Vermont with her partner, daughter, and two pups.

In this episode Caryn and Gary discuss RFK Jr.’s recent article in the Wall Street Journal and continue the topic of what the current White House has been doing that affects health and nutrition. Links mentioned in the podcast: An Apple a Day Is a Good Prescription https://www.wsj.com/opinion/an-apple-a-day-is-a-good-prescription-kennedy-hhs-diet-health-73227a67 The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/2025-advisory-committee-report While Everyone Was Arguing Over Food Dyes, Kennedy Sidelined Beans https://vegnews.com/rfk-dietary-guidelines-beans Is Beef Tallow Healthy? Nutrition Experts Explain https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a62939998/is-beef-tallow-healthy/ What Are Seed Oils? https://foodrevolution.org/blog/what-are-seed-oils/ Tai Zhan Bakery https://www.taizhanbake.com/ Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery https://www.happyzoeveganbakery.com/ FIND PLANT-BASED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS Plant-based doctors and other providers – https://plantrician.org/ Plant-based registered dietitians – https://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert Naturopathic physicians – https://www.naturopathic.org/AF_MemberDirectory.asp Lifestyle medicine practitioners – https://www.lifestylemedpros.org/home/

Hartglass & De Mattei, Meat Madness Caryn Hartglass teams up again with Gary De Mattei to talk about Eleven Madison Park added meat back on their menu; Beyond Meat rumors; Alpha-Gal, mammalian meat allergy; and oxalates in Spinach. Plus they discuss new recipes they’ve been working on. Links mentioned in the podcast: Healthy World BurgerEleven Madison, Meat Is Back at Eleven Madison Park, After 4 Vegan YearsWhy Is Martha’s Vineyard Going Vegan? It’s All About Tick Bites.Beyond Meat

Sarah Speare, Tootie’s Tempeh Sarah Speare is the CEO and CoFounder of Tootie’s Tempeh, a worker-owned consumer foods cooperative based in Biddeford, Maine. Prior to Tootie’s she cofounded a pet treat company that had distribution in 10,000 stores and was sold to a large competitor. She has also been the executive director of several social impact non-profits and served on the boards of arts and civic organizations in Maine and MA. She has a background in graphic design and is a graduate of Tufts University and the Museum School. Watch a short TV segment about Tootie’s Tempeh from WMTW’s Made in Maine. REAL Recipes with Tempeh Choucroute GarnieSnowy JoesTasty Tempeh Taco Tuesday “Meat” Soybeans are a healthy food. If you have any concerns about soy, watch this: https://vimeo.com/118732085?fl=pl&fe=vl

Part I: Caryn Hartglass, Long Term Vegan with High Cholesterol. Caryn gives a 1-year update on her journey to lower her cholesterol. As a long time vegan, this is challenging. She has been doing an SOS-free (salt, oil, sugar free) diet for one year. Part II: Ciara Sidell, Randall’s Island Park Alliance Urban Farm Ciara Sidell is the Urban Farm Manager at Randall’s Island Park Alliance in NYC. The Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) is the proud steward of the beautiful Randall’s Island Park, which is uniquely situation between three boroughs – Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. For over 30 years, RIPA has worked in partnership with the City and the Parks Department to restore, maintain, sustain, develop, manage and program Randall’s Island Park as a place for all New Yorkers to enjoy. Since its inception in 2006 the Urban Farm has grown in size and scope, featuring over 100 raised beds, two greenhouses, four rice paddies and a small fruit orchard. With education at the forefront of its design, the Urban Farm embodies the core belief that plants and children can grow side by side. With over 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables from around the world, the Urban Farm allows visitors to deepen their understanding of where food comes from. Strolling through the farm, you’ll discover fruits and vegetables you’ve never seen in grocery stores and crops that are culturally relevant to our nearby communities. Through free hands-on classes and public events focused on sustainability, cooking, planting, and composting, farm visitors of all ages can explore locally-grown food in an urban environment. School groups can visit through our Edible Education Program, and we invite the public to explore during weekend open hours and many program offerings. The Urban Farm is located at the island’s southern end, adjacent to the park’s playground, a picnic area, playing fields, and a public restroom. The Randall’s Island Park Alliance is proud to program and maintain the Urban Farm and greatly appreciates donations to help continue to make these events possible Links mentioned in the podcast: Keene GarlicLipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysisRon Weiss, MD, Ethos Primary Care and Ethos FarmJoel K. Kahn, MD, Lipoprotein(a), The Heart’s Quiet Killer: A Diet & Lifestyle Guide

Gail A. Eisnitz, winner of the Albert Schweitzer Medal for outstanding achievement in animal welfare, is the chief investigator for the Humane Farming Association. Her work has resulted in exposés by ABC’s Good Morning America, PrimeTime Live, and Dateline NBC, and her interviews have been heard on more than 1,600 radio stations. Her work has been featured in such newspapers as the New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle​, Miami Herald, Detroit Free Press, Texas Monthly, Denver Business Journal, Los Angeles Times, and US News & World Report. Gail’s first book, Slaughterhouse, The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry was published in 1997. More at https://www.gaileisnitz.com/. Things you can do! Oppose the so-called Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act HR 2156/S 984Oppose the “Food Security and Farm Protection Act,” S. 1326The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act – H.R. 1661 and S. 775Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act – H.R. 1684Visual Snow

Delcianna J. Winders is an associate professor of law and Director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at Vermont Law and Graduate School. Professor Winders previously taught at Lewis & Clark Law School, where she directed the world’s first law school clinic dedicated to farmed animal advocacy. She served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at the PETA Foundation, was the first Academic Fellow of the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program, and was a visiting scholar at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Her primary interests are in animal law and administrative law. She has also taught animal law at Tulane University School of Law and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Her work has appeared in the Denver Law Review, Florida State Law Review, Ohio State Law Journal, NYU Law Review, and the Animal Law Review. Winders has also published extensively in the popular press, including The Hill, National Geographic, Newsweek, New York Daily News, Salon, U.S.A. Today, and numerous other outlets. Winders received her BA in Legal Studies with highest honors from the University California at Santa Cruz, where she was named a Regents’ Scholar and received the Dean’s Award for outstanding achievement in Social Sciences, and her JD from NYU School of Law, where she was awarded the Vanderbilt Medal for outstanding contributions to the law school, named as a Robert McKay Scholar, and served as the Senior Notes Editor of the NYU Law Review. Following law school, Winders clerked for the Hon. Martha Craig Daughtrey on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and practiced animal law in a variety of settings. Links mentioned in the podcast: vermontlaw.edu/animallawhttps://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5342182Oxford Handbook on Global Animal Lawhttps://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/elgar-concise-encyclopedia-of-animal-law-9781803923666.htmlhttps://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2433383 Have you Will Potter‘s book yet called LITTLE RED BARNS, Hiding the Truth, from Farm to Fable Share? Get it now!

Jimmy Prude is the founder of Jimmy’s Vegan Cookies. His mission is to change how people enjoy sweets by making them healthier and to give back through community-focused initiatives. Jimmy began his journey as a nutritionist, helping residents incorporate small amounts of plant-based foods into their daily meals. Through extensive online research, they also dove into food nutrition, labeling, and the often obscure, unpronounceable ingredients found in everyday products. Inspired by what he learned, Jimmy launched Jimmy’s Vegan Cookies at the 79th Street Renaissance Festival in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. He brought 95 units of his signature Loaded Vegan Cookies, and sold out in under five hours. Jimmy’s business has since partnered with FOODWORKS, a proven on-site dining platform that connects communities through food. FOODWORKS highlights local, authentic, and ethnically diverse restaurants within client spaces, helping foster inclusion and cultural appreciation through every bite.

Jennie Liss Ohayon, PhD, Impacts of California’s Proposition 65 Dr. Jennie Liss Ohayon is a Research Scientist at Silent Spring Institute, specializing in environmental policy, community-engaged research, and environmental justice. She is currently working on projects to report back to study participants and community partners in the U.S. and Chile their exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals. She also researches the emergence of scientific and activist concerns around industrial chemicals with Northeastern’s PFAS lab, and, in collaboration with co-investigators at the University of California, Berkeley, is evaluating the effectiveness of California-based legislation that aims to reduce or eliminate exposures to toxic substances. With the support of the Massachusetts Toxic Use Reduction Institute, she recently partnered with high schools across the state to translate environmental health research into hands-on curriculum that helps students reduce toxic exposures. She works with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, a network formed to address threats to federal environmental policy and data, to track changes to EPA’s structure and science production. Dr. Ohayon completed her PhD at the University of California, Santa Cruz researching the remediation of toxic waste in military Superfund sites. With research support from the EPA’s Science to Achieve Results fellowship and the National Science Foundation, she did fieldwork to evaluate how policy around public participation and environmental justice is translated into cleanup programs. She also used data from all military Superfund sites for quantitative and spatial analyses of how factors such as the race and class demographics of surrounding neighborhoods contribute to how quickly sites are remediated. During this time, she created an interactive curriculum in environmental sciences for high school students that are disproportionately affected by environmental problems and who come from communities that are underrepresented in the field of environmental science. Prior to beginning her PhD, Dr. Ohayon worked in two conservation biology laboratories and led education and recreation programs for children in low-income housing. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, with majors in biology and political science. In her free time, she enjoys traveling (she’s explored six continents) and various food-related pursuits—gardening, canning, and of course eating delicious vegetarian food! Links mentioned in the podcast: Chemical Exposure Warnings (Proposition 65 Warnings)California Told Companies to Label Toxic Chemicals. Instead They’re Quietly Dropping ThemHow a Right-to-Know Law Shifts Industry away from Chemicals of Concern: The Case of California’s Proposition 65The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)Silent Spring’s tips (including tip sheets and our Detox Me app)