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Read MoreAmerica faces a food crisis. In 2020, the USDA estimated that more than 38 million people lived in food-insecure households, meaning they lacked consistent access to nourishing food. As the pandemic has caused job losses and made precarity a growing reality for more and more people, lines at soup kitchens and food banks have swelled over the last year and a half, covering miles of ground as more than 60 million individuals sought help from free or reduced food programs. Across the country, cities teem with contrasts: On one corner of a neighborhood, a farmers’ market draws shoppers who can afford fresh produce. On the other corner, a mother struggles to feed her children. (Many Americans who need food assistance do not qualify for federal programs such as SNAP.)
These grave facts stand in stark contrast to the harsh realities on the other end of the US food spectrum: Nearly 40 percent of our food supply is wasted, meaning sustenance that could have nourished people instead rots in landfills. In addition, swaths of the US are defined as food deserts, areas where residents have little, or sometimes no, access to affordable, fresh, nutrient-dense foods. “Disproportionately found in high-poverty areas, food deserts create extra, everyday hurdles that can make it harder for kids, families, and communities to grow healthy and strong,” states the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
As a media and educational platform that explores food and its impact on our lives, we cannot look away from this reality. We have an obligation to fight this. To do our part. In this light, we will amplify the voices and efforts of those on the front lines working to eradicate food insecurity and hunger. There is serious work being done to build greater awareness around the gaps in the food system, all led by steadfast workers that stem from various walks spanning various industries, from the restaurant world to the nonprofit sector. In our new series, Prima for Good, we’ll spotlight organizations and individuals doing just that. Up first: The Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market, which you can learn about below.
Our conversations around food need to expand. We must recognize that with every recipe created, every restaurant visited, and every farmers’ market shopped, people lack equity and access to the most basic human right. We hope this series builds stronger awareness and understanding of the fight we must win until every person has unobstructed, lifelong access to fresh food.
Thirteen years ago, the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association founded Fresh Approach, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between fresh farmers’ market offerings and low-income customers across California's Bay Area. Over the years, Fresh Approach’s programs have evolved in several areas, including community gardening and urban agriculture; nutrition education; and fresh food access, including its Mobile Farmers’ Market program, which it started in 2013.
The Mobile Farmers’ Market concept is simple and positive: Take the freshest, seasonally picked produce grown by local farmers and bring it to nearby communities (mainly those that are low-income and lacking access to fresh foods) at affordable prices—with a 50 percent discount offered to those who qualify for federal assistance benefits (or who identify as needing the benefit). A pint of organic, locally picked strawberries, for instance, costs $1.50. “Every week, we’re providing really high-quality, California-grown produce that’s better than anything nearby,” Fresh Approach food access program director Andy Ollove tells us.
When we spoke with Ollove, he told us about the plight of too many people across the US who lack access—financial, geographical, or both—to fresh produce. He says the concept of putting nourishment on wheels to bridge the gap is one he’s seeing has continued promise. “In the last few years, the mobile farmers’ market model has been quite successful and replicated around the country,” he says. “We are actually working on beginning coalitions around mobile farmers market groups in California and have other partners nationally.”
But as any non-profit proves, the mobile farmers’ market project—albeit promising and positive—is not a sustainable business model and therefore requires grant-funding and activist minds to keep it running. While the federal program has helped shoppers on CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, Ollove says those programs help only about 30 percent of Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market shoppers. This requires Fresh Approach to continuously fundraise to subsidize the remaining 70 percent of customers who need food or financial assistance.
Considering this, Ollove says shopping locally at your farmers’ market and finding those who are “facilitating the connections between the local farmers and the low-income populations'' is a critical way to support the efforts of nonprofits focused on food equity. “There are groups like us scattered in every city in the country, at least small and mid-size cities,” says Ollove. “They're all in the same ecosystem of improving the food system toward access.”
We’re always looking for inspiring brands, services, projects, and changemakers that make life more beautiful. Here’s what’s educating and intriguing us this fall.
(And if you love what you find here, be sure to check out all of our PrimaFavorites—and more!—in the newly opened PrimaShop.)
“I recently subscribed to a weekly meal-kit home delivery. As someone new to home cooking, I find the recipes easy to follow, especially because some items are already proportioned. This makes cooking less intimidating and decidedly more enjoyable for a beginner like me.” —Emila Akrapovic, Associate Marketing Project Manager
“A game-changer. This toaster uses steam technology to create the perfect flavor, texture, and aroma for every type of bread. The science is in the use of steam, which heats more rapidly than air and locks in the bread’s inner moisture, leaving the surface toasted to a golden brown finish with a moist inside. It has five specific modes to cater to whatever you are toasting or baking. The result is breads and pastries that smell, taste, and feel like they’re fresh out of the oven.” —Nichole Perkins, Founder and CEO
“Lately, I’ve really been into Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese beauty technique. I use the Wilding Empress stone to give myself a 10-minute mini facial. It boosts circulation, helps with lymphatic drainage, and even de-puffs swollen eyes. It’s a wonderful way to slow down and sneak in some relaxation and self-care time.” —Adrienne Levy, Creative Director
‘The Next Thing You Eat’ on HULU"
“In this brilliant documentary series, David Chang, the lauded chef and revolutionary behind the Momofuku restaurant group, is looking ahead at what our experience with our food, as well as the means of how it’s made, will be like in the future. In the first episode, Chang explores how our food gets into our homes, be it by automated robots in Hollywood or via dabbawala, a cyclist-run delivery service in India. He takes a close look at automation and the role machines—both large and small—will have on our food system at large. This is merely the surface of what Chang explores and I can’t wait to see what else he reveals. I’m grateful for how both fascinated and uncomfortable I felt watching this. Chang is asking the questions about our global corporate food system that need to be asked.” —Stacey Lindsay, Editorial Director
“This book is a must-read read for all CEOs, execs, and bosses—women and men alike. Kim Scott covers personal relationships, gender, politics, and much more. Her message—to care deeply and challenge directly—is so relevant.” —Nichole Perkins
“I love P.F. Candle Co.’s candles, especially their Los Angeles scent which is not too overpowering. Their candles are 100 percent soy wax based, paraben-free, and phthalate-free—and I love how they also donate a portion of their profits to charities.” —Emila Akrapovic
“This is a true one-pot pot. Right now I’m making vegetable noodle soup in it: Sear your meat, sauté your vegetables, pour the bone broth over it. Bon appétit.” —Nichole Perkins
“I use this sweater as a lounge robe around the house and with a simple jeans and t-shirt around town. It is so warm and cozy. Although I live in LA, it has a very Aspen vibe to it, which makes me feel like I’m in the mountains.” —Adrienne Levy
“The most interesting things I’m learning from this monitor are: How many different foods cause a blood sugar spike for me. (And wow, portion size really does matter!) What stress does to blood sugar. And the impact of movement, like walking after carb-heavy meals, cannot be underestimated.” —Nichole Perkins
The main appeal of a CSA box delivery is straightforward: Each week, a bounty of fruits and vegetables (and often meats and eggs) arrives at your door. They’re fresh. They’re local. They’re in season. What’s not to love?
But take a closer look, and the benefits of joining a CSA—which stands for Community Supported Agriculture—greatly exceed mere convenience. This box of goods cultivated by a local farm provides another way to support conscious small producers and ensure the freshest produce lands in your kitchen. Simply put, it can be a game-changer.
The 5 Upsides to a CSA Box
#1: Local Farmer Support
We think of a CSA as the delivered version of the farmers’ market. The fruits and veggies that land here are local and from smaller farmers within your region. This proximity eradicates the middle players, which means the profits go into the farmers’ pockets. Signing up for a CSA box will open up your knowledge of local farms in your area.
#2: Fresh and Seasonal Produce
A CSA’s fruits and vegetables come from local farmers, not from across state or nation lines. This means everything in terms of freshness because the produce is plucked at peak ripeness, not weeks prior to make up for long ship and grocery store display times. It also ensures the bounty you get is always in-season.
#3: Endless Surprises and Discoveries
The seasonality of a CSA box is like an evolving game of guess-the-vegetable. Aside from the consistent produce stalwarts, like squashes in fall and stone fruits in summer, you never totally know what you’re going to get each week—which is part of the fun. This mystery is also a way to discover heirloom varieties and relatively unknown and obscure produce that rarely (if ever) makes it to the grocery store shelves. (Note: Some farmers are getting more active on Instagram, thus updating their CSA box devotees on what produce to expect that week.)
#4: Meal-Time Inspiration
We admit: The unknown aspect may be a bit daunting, particularly if you don’t know how to cook a certain vegetable. But rather than thinking that you must create an entire meal out of a rutabaga, think more in terms of additions and swaps. A few PrimaFoodie favorite for unique veggies includes: making fresh “noodles” from celeriac root to pair with your favorite sauce; lightly steaming kohlrabi and topping with ghee and sea salt to go with a main protein; and adding any starchy vegetable to a purée to top a turkey leg. (If you’re seeking more ideas, send us a note on Instagram!)
Getting Started
Every farm operates its CSA program uniquely, meaning the offerings, schedule, costs, and delivery methods will vary. To ensure you find a CSA box that fits what you’re looking for, consider the following
Do some sleuthing—this can mean asking friends or inquiring with farmers at the farmers’ market—to catch wind of available and respected CSA box delivery options near you. LocalHarvest.org is an excellent online directory for finding nearby CSA farmers. Simply input your zip code to their directory to find local options near you.
Inquire—just like you’re at the farmers’ market. Before opting into a CSA delivery, make sure the farm is aligned with your values. Don’t be shy about calling, emailing, or sending a message via social media to ask about their farming methods and how they treat their animals. Some farms also let you opt in for one box before committing to something regular.
If you’re not from or familiar with Boston, this city will surprise you. It’s a metropolis small in geographical size (the city and surrounding region is about 90 square miles) yet abundant in ideas that shift the world. Some of the world’s greatest think tanks and universities call this New England town home, as do thousands of careerists from all fields.
But what adds such a layer of surprise to this city is its humility. Boston doesn’t brag (except when it comes to sports) but it certainly produces. Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, blue-collar employees, white-collar employees, advocates, and activists all lend a vibrance that makes this city one of the most productive and unique. Here you’ll find a consistent swell of small-scale conscious entrepreneurs, innovative (and inclusive) food producers, organic farmers, and dedicated artisans creating goods that are clean, sustainable, and nourishing. Our round-up here highlights just a few of our PrimaFoodie-approved favorites.
As its name suggests, Boston Honey Company produces small-batch, local honey from established apiaries across Massachusetts. The bees are allowed to openly pollinate, thus resulting in various multi-flower varieties of the sweet sap. Everything is kept raw and unfiltered, from the hive to the jar, and is available at local New England markets and farm stands.
If you were to visit this Dartmouth, Massachusetts farm you’d be greeted by hens freely roaming the property and cows grazing in acres of emerald grass. Everything from Copicut, from the pasture-raised meats and poultry to the organic vegetables, is grown, cultivated, and processed on the farm. The family uses no pesticides on its grasses and offers certified organic CSA boxes for local delivery.
Maine may get all the praise when it comes to East Coast lobsters, but the waters bordering Massachusetts easily rival in quality. This small family-run fishery has been sustainably catching local lobsters since 1982. Everything is sold the day of its catch, offering local citizens and restaurateurs some of the freshest fish and lobsters in New England.
Will Hansen, the founder of this small frozen treat company, has brought the humble sweet potato to new heights. After facing health and weight issues, he went on a quest to clean up his diet and eat only real whole foods. This included hand-creating this creamy frozen dessert made with whipped sweet potatoes, maple syrup, chia seeds, grapeseed oil, and fresh fruit, spices, and nuts.
Tucked in the Blackstone River Valley, a lush region that runs through southern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island, is Riddle Brook Farm: a quaint family-owned and run farm specializing in pasture-raised eggs, flowers, and gourmet oyster mushrooms. Their offerings, which are all humanely sourced and raised, are available at Boston farmers’ markets and local CSA boxes.
Nearly a decade ago, Tara Foley set out to change the beauty world by educating consumers about the need for more transparency when it comes to personal care products. So she opened Follain in Beacon Hill, a tiny apothecary that stocks 100 percent clean beauty, personal, and home products—and people came in droves. Today Foley has several Follain locations, as well as her own skincare line named after her boutiques.
Just north of Boston, Soluna Garden Farm grows seasonal organic herbs and flowers, most of which is then incorporated into their natural vinegars, spice blends, and herbal teas. They make their specialty products at Food Evolution, a shared women-owned collective kitchen that focuses on food system education.
Langwater is another stunning family-owned farm in Massachusetts that produces organically grown (and some heirloom) vegetables and fruits that are on offer via CSA boxes and at Boston farmers’ markets. The family also puts their more than 80 acres to community use by offering seasonal public vegetable picking and a pumpkin patch every fall.
For further exploring, read our PrimaFoodie Guides to Austin and Portland.
At the risk of sounding cliché, it feels like just yesterday when we were producing our first virtual summit. Our small-but-mighty team (we’re looking at you Adrienne and Emila!) had boots on the literal and digital ground, booking talent and recording workshops, while Nichole was juggling interviews, partnerships, and all the like. There were moments where an hour felt elastic as we stretched it to fit in all there was to plan.
Now here we are, on the other side of the launch of the HEAL with PrimaFoodie Virtual Health Summit, feeling revitalized and empowered. This project was a lesson in gumption and kismet, and a reminder that when we follow our guts, and keep them healthy, great lessons unfold. We’re grateful to each of you who joined.
There were giant takeaways from this premiere event that amplified our minds, bodies, and souls.
For our mental wellness, we learned how to break free from toxic thoughts from Keren Eldad. We found essential time management skills for moving through our weeks with joy from Margot Janks. We benefited from a practice to help us tap into a “deeply respectful motivation” to be present from Elena Brower.
For our physical wellness, Dr. Jacklyn Tolentino informed us on symptoms of blood sugar and hormonal issues. Jennifer Ragazzo revealed exactly why a damaged gut impacts our entire bodily system (including our skin and emotions). Hilda Labrada Gore gave us one of the most impactful home tools to boost our energy, mood, and glow. (The effect it had on Adrienne and Emila was instant proof!)
For our emotional and spiritual wellness, Jennifer Swartley gave us the wisdom to acknowledge and breathe through burnout. Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh illustrated why creating inviting, warm, personal interiors can have immediate effects on how we feel. And R.A. Leslie walked us through a journaling practice to help us “critically think” about our lives.
Of course, these learnings are only a hint at all we covered and the amazing talent that took part. We also got cooking and baking in the kitchen, conversing about how we need to support regenerative agriculture, and the fascinating reasons behind why eating more nutrient-dense foods is an act of environmental activism.
At the end of it all, we felt lighter and more positively charged than we ever have. We’re fueled to do this again. Stay tuned for more HEAL with PrimaFoodie summits in-the-works—and let us know if there’s anything you wish to learn about in the future.
Our sincere thanks to each of our talented experts for their contributions: Britta Plug, Dr. Robin Currey, Jennifer Swartley, Farmer Lee Jones, Amanda Ramirez, Margaret Floyd Barry, Jennifer Ragazzo, Leah Ann Bolen, Barbara Stamis, Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, Michael Mansour, Laurel Gallucci, Seonagh Kummer, Elena Brower, Margot Janks, Jayne Williams, Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh, Belinda McCall, R.A. Leslie, Hilda Labrada Gore, Monica Ford, Keren Eldad, Abigail Wald, and Hitha Palepu,
First, the dark truth: We know the food system in the U.S. is broken. Copious food is left wasted each year while millions face food insecurity. People are sick from diet-related issues. Animals in factory farms suffer abuse. There is a lack of access to fresh foods. These examples, as well as the others we’ve written about, are unsettling.
What is even more disturbing is the fact that these issues are not natural occurrences. They’re entirely human-caused. You can’t look at any of these problems without seeing the direct line to the giant corporations set on one goal: profit. As dark as this is, acknowledging this fact opens the gate for the light: We can fight back.
We don’t say this lightly. Fighting the massive corrupt food system is a gigantic battle. Policies need to change, as do allowances for systemic corruption and moneyed lobbyists. But pushing back and fighting for a world in which the way we grow, source, and distribute our food is equitable and humane is a feat we cannot avoid—and it takes every one of us.
Considering all time and financial budgets, here are three ways to start.
1.) Shop the farmers’ market. It’s more nutritious. It’s tastier. It’s even more fun. But that’s not the only reason we always tout shopping at your farmers’ market. Getting your produce, meats, and other goods from local farmers and purveyors means you’re putting dollars in their pockets rather than in the bank accounts of Walmart and Tyson. It comes down to supply and demand. Take the power out of the giants’ hands and back into those who care.
2.) Shop small. It’s common and disheartening: You pick up an “organic” food item thinking you’re making the healthier choice. Then you look closely and see the name ‘ConAgra’ on the label. A handful of corrupt food giants have a monopoly on the foods available in markets, including those labeled as organic, natural, and the like. It can be hard to avoid these companies all together, but sourcing some staples from small, local, independently owned brands can help to take some wind out of the giants’ sails. It’s also a way to connect with your community. (Note: If you’re looking for tips on small brands to shop in your city, send us a note and we’ll sleuth some finds for our next Conscious Small Brands Guide.)
3.) Support the organizations doing the legwork. A varied mix of non-profits and other organizations are working to fight corporate control and food injustice. The Institute for Local Self Reliance, which focuses on empowering local business, and The Human League, which fights for humane and just food practices, are two endeavors doing noble work. Supporting their efforts can come in many forms, such as signing up for their newsletters, following them on social media, making a donation, or signing a petition.
Curious to learn more about sustainable food systems? Join Nichole and ethnoecologist Robin Currey for their conversation on food resilience, local sourcing, and more at our upcoming HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summer Health Summit. Learn more and get your tickets HERE.
When we first set out to host a wellness summit, we were clear on two things.
First, we wanted it to be fun and inspirational. The world is saddled with hardship and our lives are busier than they’ve ever been. These truths can make uplifting ourselves and making changes toward an empowered and healthy lifestyle a challenge.
Secondly, and most vitally, we wanted our summit to be accessible. Wellness is not a privilege; it is a right for every human. This creed has always been a passion point for Nichole and all of us at PrimaFoodie. The lessons, foods, and tips that open the doors to true well-being need to be right there for all of us, no matter our background or standing in life.
So here we are, amped by these convictions. We’re thrilled to present to you a peek at our first digital wellness summit, H.E.A.L with PrimaFoodie, taking place on August 25th & 26th*. We’ll be gathering online for inspiring and engaging workshops, interactive sessions, and interviews led by our founder, Nichole, and the PrimaFoodie team. Joining us will be experts in the fields of holistic health, nutrition, food activism, mindset coaching, bodywork, and sustainability to educate and empower. These individuals are the best in their fields, and they’re bringing their coveted wisdom to help all of us in the PrimaFoodie community make the shifts we desire.
The intention of this summit is to revitalize your self and soul. To support you in doing this, you’ll get access to life-shifting information, plus downloadable takeaways to bring with you to continue your healing journey. Not to mention there will be exercises, cooking tips, and mindset focuses to keep tucked in your “pocket” so you can thrive no matter where you are.
This is just scratching the surface. The key to this gathering is you: Whatever you seek—be it to shed old habits, lean into a cleaner way to eat, or find the courage to take a new wellness path—we’re there for you. Take a peek below to see some of the many experts and offerings we have slated.
And lastly, back to the word: “accessible.” If you or someone you know is eager to join yet faces a challenge with our ticket price, please send us a note here. We have a handful of tickets available at a sliding scale and want to ensure everyone who wants to join can.
We can’t wait to see you on August 25th & 26th. Here’s to our good health and luminosity.
A ‘Detox Your Mindset’ Workshop with world-renowned career coach Keren Eldad.
A transformational breathwork session with intuitive healer Barbara Stamis.
A radical new look at hormone imbalance with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino.
Tools for conquering burnout with leadership and mindset coach Jennifer Swartley.
And much much more…
PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE
*All ticket holders will have access to the digital summit content for one week, beginning on August 25th.
Whether it’s discovering a new inclusive cookbook author or reaching for our tried-and-true clean products, we’re always looking to inspiring brands, projects, and people that make life more beautiful. Here’s a look at what we’re currently coveting, exploring, trying, and genuinely enjoying at PrimaFoodie.
School of Lunch Training Academy: “This new cooking academy is top of my list for summer fun. It is an investment, for sure, but a worthwhile one.” —Nichole Perkins, Founder and CEO
Jojoba Oil by Cliganic: “I used this oil all throughout my pregnancy and I’m still using it. I swear it’s why I didn’t get stretch marks—or at least part of the reason. Cliganic stands by using only clean, organic, natural oils and ingredients in their products, so there’s nothing added or potentially harmful.” —Adrienne Levy, Creative Director
Lorena, Light-Footed Woman Short Documentary: “Lorena is an ultra-marathon runner who lives in the mountainous Chihuahua region in Mexico. She has become well-known for winning national and international marathons—always running in her skirt and sandals. Lorena’s determination and simple love for running is what makes her story so refreshing and inspiring. This documentary is a gentle reminder that our passion and love for what we do is sometimes the best thing we can wear.“ —Emila Akrapovic, Associate Marketing Project Manager
Imperfect Foods: “The USDA estimates between 30 and 40 percent of our food supply is wasted. This is horrific considering the plight of food insecurity and the need for better access to nutritious meals. The team at Imperfect Foods is on the front lines fighting food waste. They corral rejected “ugly” produce, imperfect clean self-care items, excess inventory, and undervalued goods from local grocery stores and health food markets. You shop the site just like a regular market and it gets shipped directly to you in a recyclable box. And you generally spend around 30 percent less than you would at a regular grocer. While I aim to shop for all my produce at the farmers market, Imperfect Produce makes an excellent option for filling in pantry needs and making sure perfectly good organic treats, rice, and even nuts don't go wasted. “ —Stacey Lindsay, Editorial Director
Augustinus Bader: “I received this gem in my stocking this last year. It’s a clean version of a fancy face cream. I like ‘The Cream’ for Los Angeles and more humid climates like Tennessee and Texas, and ‘The Rich Cream’ for extremely dry climates like Utah and Colorado.” —Nichole
Mindful Goods Mesh Produce Bags: “I found that most of my plastic use came from using plastic produce bags at the grocery store, so I sought out reusable bags to bring with me to the market. These mesh bags come in three different sizes and they are easy to wash since they are made with cotton.” —Emila
Round Beach Towel: “I love round beach towels, there’s just something about the shape that makes me feel more elegant- These by Serena and Lily are especially comfy.” —Adrienne
Shhhowercap: “I’m a big fan of anything that serves both form and function. This shower cap is chic and looks good in your shower while it’s hanging, and it only takes a few minutes to dry. It’s waterproof, antibacterial, anti-humidity, machine-washable, and big enough to cover long hair in a top knot. The rubber grip around the hairline doesn’t ever stretch and wear out. Made of a patented fabric that feels better than plastic, these caps never wear out, which makes them sustainable.” —Nichole
Kuumba Made Amber & Sandalwood Fragrance Oil: “This oil-based scent is warm and sweet. I use the petite roll-on, but they also have up to 4oz sizes. This is my go-to fragrance because it’s natural and not overwhelming. A little goes a long way. I love how Kuumba made products are centered around creating natural skin care products that soothe, heal, and excite the senses.“ —Emila
Rosewater Spray: “I love a good rosewater mist—especially when I’m at the beach!” —Adrienne
‘Alice Waters Says People Who Call Her Elitist Just Don’t Get It’: “Alice Waters has unequivocally changed the way I approach food. From eating at her legendary restaurant Chez Panisse (and at her former petit eatery Cafe Fanny, a dreamlike spot) to reading her many cookbooks, I’ve found both inspiration and solace in her words about food accessibility and equity and seasonal cooking. Today, at 77, she’s just released a new book, a food manifesto of sorts. This New York Times article captures her fervor for food education and her constant fight to disabuse people of the notion that eating well and organic means spending a lot of money. “ —Stacey
Ursa Major Face Wipes: “Clean, soothing, and hydrating, these natural face wipes are my favorites to bring while traveling. It’s a quick way to refresh while on-the-go.” —Adrienne
The lack of transparency about how our food is grown and distributed, and the corrupt politics that have come to rule our most basic needs, impacts all of us. In the US, transparency and truth have been taken over by profit and monopolization, pushing two vital things that we need to thrive—clean water and nutritious food—further away from our reach.
We need to be talking about this. If we don’t scrutinize it, we may not see it clearly in our day-to-day lives, but the issue will worsen. Some may not want to examine the facts. There’s too much to worry about in the world. Why can’t we simply trust that the food presented on the shelves in our local market is the best for us? I hear this, and I understand. But still: We cannot look away.
My advocacy for accessibility and transparency in food was born out of several things. My heath journey was the first catalyst. I have struggled with various autoimmune conditions throughout the majority of my life. I haven’t been taken seriously by conventional doctors when I broached taking a more holistic path. I’ve been brushed off by colleagues and friends, quickly told to try this prescription or avoid this ingredient. These obstacles prompted me to charter my own course; to educate myself in various protocols and disciplines to rid my system of toxins and nourish my body.
As I began to heal and to see the vitality that can come from eating a nutrient-rich diet that complements my constitutional needs, I faced a dichotomy. On one hand, I was empowered. Food really is medicine, and it is both the root cause and answer to so many health-related issues. This is incredible. On the other hand, nutritious food, and the information surrounding it, is not ubiquitous. So often, it is inaccessible, and a privilege. To make matters worse, our food system uses certain marketing tactics that make certain food appear to be healthier than they truly are. This is wrong.
This injustice became even more glaring when I became a mother. As any mother is, the health of my child became paramount. How can I ensure that the food my daughter eats isn’t going to hurt her? I can lead by example and teach her how to source and cook quality foods. I can embolden her to make the best choices for herself. To read food labels and follow her instinct. I can teach her to be a self-empowered, discerning consumer. But what about the larger world? What can I do about a food industry that cares more for corporate special interests than her health? Why do I need to worry about her being exposed to cancer-causing chemicals that are legally added to foods? How is this even allowed in this country?
In the US, large corporations have a chokehold on the very systems that are meant to protect us. We have this big ominous organization, the FDA, that is supposed to be looking out for us. The FDA approves certain foods and food-like substances, stating they are “safe” to claim space on our plates and in our bodies. What this does is give us a false sense of security. We think: This is FDA-approved, so it must be okay.
In truth, that is not the case. The FDA, and the entire food industry, is manipulated by the organizations with the most money and that have the most invested interest. Look at any conventional brand, and the chances are great that it is owned or controlled by one of the large corporations, like Tyson. These corporations are more focused on profit than health, therefore they employ practices that cut costs and push large amounts of product into production. This is seen in the vast amounts of large-scale monoculture farming (like corn and soy), confined animal feeding systems, and the constant use of chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. All of these practices, and the many others, are bad for our health and planet.
Furthermore, the majority of the large-scale, corporate crops grown in the US are considered to be “commodity crops,” that are quickly turned into mass-produced, mass-marketed processed foods. How is that justified? How do we rationalize that in our minds?
Where it gets even more maddening (and scary), is when we look at other nations. During my international travels, I’ve researched the local food systems and talked to local farmers and chefs. The deplorable practices allowed in the US are often a distant concept across another border. What we pay a premium for here in the US—grass-fed, free-range, pesticide-free, organic, fresh—is the default in other countries.The European Nation is stricter with labeling. In the US, shelves are filled with food products covered in misleading food labels with meaningless buzzwords like “natural” and “made with organic ingredients.” The EU allows no such manipulation. Items can be labeled organic only if they are, in fact, 95 to 100 percent organic. Any shrewd claims are not allowed.
The corruption woven through our food system is one of the most immediate threats to our health and planet today—and it extends to every part of our lives. This is why I want to unravel why it matters to care about the whole food system—on a national and global scale—just as much as it matters to care about what comes into our homes and onto our plates. We need to fight for transparency so we can make more informed choices in our day-to-day lives.
Using our voices, time, and dollars to expose the corrupt food industry can have an immediate effect that national politics cannot replicate. We are living during a time of global uncertainty and immense challenges and changes. When we fight as a team, we can galvanize efforts that are much stronger than going it alone. Today, tomorrow, and every day we can take actions—small and large—to participate in and protect the health of ourselves, our families, and our community.
This can start on our plates.
xPrimaFoodie
By Stacey Lindsay
For those of us fortunate enough to be able to consider what we put in and on our bodies, our awareness creates a quilt of information. Learning jarring facts about one product weaves into questions about another: If these chemicals are in this olive oil then what’s allowed in my face cream? Yet for many Americans, wine—one of the most popular drinks in the US—is still consumed without a thought about its ingredients. And this is a concern.
Commercially made wines are often created from industrial farmed grapes laced with chemicals that are manipulated with artificial additives and technological tricks. Makers will resort to using egregious practices to ensure the greatest volume and perceived quality results—without any concern for the impact this has on consumers. “The commercial wine industry is much like the commercial food industry,” says Todd White, founder of Dry Farm Wines, a health-focused, lab tested natural wine merchant. “The goal is to produce more volume for less cost, which ultimately increases profits.”
In the US, the FDA approves of 76 additives for wine. These include artificial dyes, genetically modified yeast, and various animal byproducts like isinglass (dried fish bladders that are used as a filtering agent), and casein. (Not to mention, adding sugar to wine is widespread in the commercial industry.) For people who drink wine regularly, these chemicals can build up in the body, potentially causing harm. Some researchers in the field have begun measuring the amounts of glyphosate in wine. Other experts link the common wine hangover to all the junk allowed in the juice.
What this all reveals is a critical missing piece: transparency in labeling. Currently the only ingredient mandated to appear on a wine label in the US is added sulfites. This means all the extras—the thickeners, the dyes, the flavor manipulators—get swallowed without an inkling. If we knew our ’97 Napa pinot had a hint of PVPP, an artificially made plastic substance, we’d likely pass.
Consumers aren’t the only victims. The commercial wine industry is rife with exploitive and ecologically disruptive practices that include heavy machinery, monoculture practices, and widespread irrigation that wreak havoc on the earth. “As a whole, these practices are often depleting nature instead of supporting it,” says White. “They can remove the diverse plant and animal life as well as decrease the health and balance in soils.”
These days, activism around cleaning up the wine industry exists at every point of the process. Farmers, vintners, distributors, and sommeliers are shedding light on what’s in and around the bottle. Believers are supporting the movement for natural wine, also called low-intervention or clean wine, which touts juice that is made with organic or biodynamic grapes and the least amount of intervention, additives, technological hacks, and chemicals. Although it is nebulous, as there are no labeling requirements for a clean or natural wine, this movement is very promising—and it encourages us to look at our wine the same way we do our food.
Much of the deep work is happening within smaller distributors and companies, like Dry Farm Wines, that are both acting as educators and gatekeepers of certain ingredients and practices. “It’s almost impossible to know exactly what’s in the majority of wines, which is why we are extremely strict about the criteria that makes up a ‘Dry Farm Wines certified wine,’ says White.
Still, the responsibility lands on us, the consumer. What we choose to support and purchase will echo and perpetuate the problem. Or what we seek to uncover and divest from will help to shift the energy toward a healthier, safer, more ecological wine industry. There is no quick fix. Just like our eggs, personal care, and everything else, we are left to do the parsing ourselves—and this gets trickier than ever without an ingredients label providing some compass.
But we can start by asking questions.
Tips for Discovering Clean(er) Wines
It’s the wild west when it comes to seeking a wine that is unadulterated and made from environmentally ethical practices. But thankfully, great strides have been made and more people are looking for less additives and more of the real juice. Although we can’t (just yet) give you a straight shot to the best wines, we can give you a checklist that works for us here at PrimaFoodie.
1.) Ask your local wine shop owner. Small wine shops are abundant in the US and so many are stocking their shelves with more clean wines. These owners are often passionate about what they do (and friendly—they work around wine, after all!) and willing to answer your questions and inform you about the clean wine they stock. Simply asking “I’m looking for wines with minimal additives and responsibly farmed grapes” is a powerful way to start.
2.) Follow the distributors doing the work. Dry Farm Wines is one of a handful of excellent pioneers in the field right now. As a wine merchant, Dry Farm only sells and supports wines that come from farmers and makers supporting organic agriculture, small farms across the globe, biodiversity in soil, and saving water. They also lab test their wines for additives and toxic chemicals.
3.) Explore the makers. The clean and natural wine movement is filled with knowledgeable people. Many of them are women- and family-owned. A few American makers to start with include: Subject to Change, Martha Stouman, Horse & Plow, lady of the sunshine, and Donkey & Goat. Like other products, it’s important to shop small and support the conscious makers who care to make a difference.
4.) Look for the biodynamic and organic label. This certification speaks to the grapes only. Unfortunately, a certified organic wine can still mean that there have been toxic chemicals added to the wine after the grapes been harvested. Still, it’s an excellent start. It assures you that no toxic chemicals have been used in the farming, and that the wine producer likely cares about their product remaining clean—all the way to the glass.
5.) Have fun with it. The wine world is confusing and huge. Don’t get frustrated if it seems like too vast of an ocean. Follow some amazing activists like Isabelle Legeron, founder of RAW Wine, to learn more. And enjoy it. The more you explore, the more you’ll likely want to keep going—and never drink animal byproducts in your wine again.
By Stacey Lindsay
Following a clean diet has its challenges. Researchers find that cost, a lack of motivation, and restricted time to be common obstacles that hinder us from eating well. There is also a dearth of understanding around what eating nutritiously really means: In the US, students receive about eight hours below the required nutrition education needed to fuel healthy habits, according to the CDC.
But as any health-focused feat proves, these obstacles are merely just that—obstacles—and what lies on the other side of tenacity is worth it. The key is to make the feat easier. One mindset to adopt: Drop the perfection. “Simple, small changes make a huge difference,” says functional medicine practitioner Dr. Elizabeth Boham, whose practice focuses on the healing power of food.
Whether you’re looking to eat more greens or revamp your diet entirely, Boham’s advice is something anyone can easily digest.
Curb the sugar.
This doesn’t only mean putting less in your morning coffee. This means being mindful of all that is hidden, says Boham. Sixty-eight percent of all packaged foods have added sugar. “Start recognizing that foods that come in packages many times have a lot of things added in them that our body just doesn’t need and that isn’t servicing us well.” The easiest and quickest way to reduce sugar is to stop relying on packaged foods, says Boham, and start reaching for more whole foods.
2. Think in threes.
The next time you go to eat, take a look at your plate. Does it have a balance of some fat, some fiber, and some protein? “So often we’re missing one of those three at a meal and that can result in our blood sugar not being as stable,” says Boham. Not having healthy fat, fiber, and protein in each meal can also lead us to feel fatigued, moody, and susceptible to headaches. Creating meals that are balanced can “help with energy, mood, maintaining a healthy weight, and helps us feel more satiated so we don’t reach for snacks.”
For easy reference:
· Foods rich in protein include eggs, chicken, fish, meat, beans and legumes, and nuts and seeds.
· Foods rich in fat include healthy oils (like olive oil), nuts and seeds, avocados, ghee, and butter.
· Foods rich in fiber include beans and legumes, vegetables, and fruits.
3. Stay Local
The conventional versus organic conversation is one that continues to challenge many of us—especially when it comes to cost. The workaround is to go seasonal and local. Shopping at your nearby farmers’ market gives you the opportunity to ask the farmers about their practices, says Boham. They may not have paid for the organic certification label, but they still could be farming in sustainable and organic ways. By shopping locally you create connections and get healthy products that are more affordable. Plus, “you’re supporting local business,” says Boham.
4. Go easy on yourself.
We’re all susceptible to feeling overwhelmed when it comes to our health. This can lead to feelings of despair and wanting to toss in the towel and order a pizza, says Boham. “It can be very exhausting, in a way, if you feel that you have to do this, this, and this.” The truth is, you don’t have to be so strict. Just by “taking some time to prepare some meals at home, you’ll just start to feel better—faster,” she says. “And then that will help motivate you to make more and more lifestyle adjustments.”
To learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Boham and her practice, visit: drboham.com.
Several years ago, I began to notice a troubling trend in my daughter’s preschool classroom. My daughter, who had always been bright, opinionated, and decisive, began to shrink and silence herself. I watched as the boys would shout their answers while she would sit quietly with her arm raised, choosing to follow the rules rather than compete for her voice to be heard.
This scene was a stark image of the significant imbalance we face in the world. Too many women shrink themselves, quiet their voice, and alter their visions to cater to others. Witnessing this broke my heart. It also lit a fire in my soul. I have work to do—we all have more work to do—to encourage true gender equity in the world.
We see how the cards are stacked against women everywhere. I have seen powerful, smart women stagnate or stall in their careers after taking time to have children. Certainly, we have evolved as a society, and the job of childcare is shouldered by both men and women. However, there still is a significant imbalance, which results in women either downshifting their careers, giving up on their passions, leaving the workforce entirely, or facing significant obstacles and disadvantages when they choose to re-enter the workforce.
In 2020 alone, a year that has been marked by significant challenges, women have been disproportionately impacted in the work world, thus facing intense barriers including the loss of jobs and stymied careers. This has an immediate effect on the individual, but also in her family, community, and society at large. When women leave the workforce, it cuts into the future of women leaders.
It is critical that we change mindset around women’s equity and be advocates for change. We need to take the steps to shift the conversation and put an emphasis on progressing parity. Whether it be starting a business, raising caring children, or pursuing any passion, every woman’s purpose and voice is worthy of being nurtured, honored, and respected. These decisions are what grow our society. Until we have a world that supports every woman's choices rather than penalize them, we need to fight.
One of the most influential ways to do this is to invest in ourselves. We need to own our dreams and accomplishments. We need to rally for progressive work policies, support female entrepreneurs, offer inclusive maternal leave, and buoy what we truly want each and every day. That is up to us. Quieting our voices doesn’t lead to true change. Pursuing our passions, fighting for our worth, and bolstering our personal agency does.
By doing this we are doing two giant things: We’re giving credence to our dreams and we’re working to knock down a systemic issue that has, for too long, become central to modern life. It is scary, I know. I have left the workforce, had a child, experimented, and started businesses all facing great precarity. I have experienced ups and downs and weathered huge learning curves. It is hard but it is worth it. I know my voice is worthy. And when I face doubt, I think back to my daughter raising her little hand in class. I want to set the tone for her and all girls that our voices need to be heard.
So let’s all go forth, dream big, and evolve the system. We need your voice, and your power. I am here cheering you on.
x PrimaFoodie
5 Ways to Set Boundaries around How You Eat
Boundaries set the stage for positive relationships and healthier lives. There’s freedom when we clearly communicate barriers with others and simultaneously stand by our decisions. This is evidenced everywhere, from parenting to life choices. But here at PrimaFoodie, we’ve found boundaries often get overlooked when it comes to our dietary choices. It can be challenging when our food protocols clash with social engagements or other people’s diets. This is why some clear direction can be helpful.
Communicate your protocols. Our founder, Nichole, has sometimes felt like a broken record when it comes to telling others about her dietary restrictions. But clear and consistent communication is essential. Whether you’re hosting people or are a guest in someone’s home, always announce your dietary needs well ahead of time (at least two days prior). It can be as simple as, “I am dairy, grain and sugar free and so is our household” via an email or text. It’s simple, elegant, and it will put everyone at ease.
Explain expectations for guests. After you clearly communicate your dietary needs, make your expectations for others known. It can be quite clear and direct, such as “please do not bring any dairy, gluten, or refined sugars into our home.” Or it can be more open and flexible like, “if you choose to bring any food, please label exactly what it contains, such as wheat or dairy.” These expectations are important because as common as restrictive diets are these days, conversations around them are still lacking.
Call ahead about the menu. When Nichole receives an invitation, she always calls ahead to alert the host and ask if the menu can be sent in advance. From there, she knows what she can and cannot eat. If there are things of concern, you can request a swap or change, such as: “Would you please hold the sauce or breadcrumbs? Or save a chicken breast on the side for me?” These are easy solutions in the kitchen and require little effort from your host to ensure you can enjoy the party.
Address gifts. No one wants to show up empty handed. But no one wants to show up with a gift that interferes with your health. For generous guests who insist on bringing gifts, it’s helpful to tell them exactly what to bring: flowers. It’s one simple, loving gift that will avoid any health issues or conflict.
Inquire about other health measures. Nearly all of 2020 has involved navigating a global pandemic. With this has come a varied mix of people’s opinions about safety. While everyone’s decisions are personal, they inevitably impact others. When hosting, announce your sentiments around safety beforehand—i.e. “There will be no more than nine guests present. Dinner will be outside, so please bring a jacket. We request everyone wear masks before and after dinner.” When invited to someone’s home, politely ask about what’s important to you ahead of time.
What we’ve learned over time is that these strategies not only support your health and happiness, but they go a long way in strengthening friendships. Because after all, communication and understanding are the centerpiece of all relationships. And our health deserves to be front and center.
Two absolutes in life are food and people. We all have to eat, and we all have to co-exist. But it is more complicated than this. How we choose to eat and the nutrition choices we make can present challenges when we’re with others. As someone who has been on a strict protocol for many years, I’ve experienced how my choices can sometimes cause misunderstandings. This has been a wake-up call about how we all need to practice greater empathy and healthy boundaries when it comes to our health.
One of my greatest learnings happened a few years ago when my friend, Rachel, stayed at our house. Rachel and I knew each other well. Our children played together frequently, and I told her all about my health journey and how I was following a food protocol. By all accounts, we were well informed about each other’s lives.
At the time, I had been on the SIBO Diet for seven months, and I was working extremely hard to heal myself of various ailments. To achieve this, I was abstaining from a wide variety of foods, including grains, complex carbohydrates, and any processed sugar. I had made progress, and was feeling better and healthier every day.
While hosting Rachel, I had been working for a large part of her stay. Therefore, I wasn’t fully keyed into all the happenings around the house. One day when I came home, I saw a plate of cupcakes sitting on the kitchen counter. Lightly pink and topped with frosting, these cupcakes looked just like the SIBO-approved, grain- and dairy-free treats our nanny and my daughter make from time to time.
I was hungry and so grateful for the gift. I picked one up and started eating it. The cake was crumbly. The frosting buttery. It was delicious. I was so distracted with settling back home and the other hundred things on my mind, that I didn’t give the cupcake much thought—until the realization hit me: These weren’t our usual cupcakes. They were made with good intentions, but also with so many ingredients I had worked hard to avoid, including grain, dairy and refined sugar. They were left unlabeled on the counter, which is why I mistook them as something I could eat. It was a small oversight that set me way back on my work and healing. I had a considerable flare-up that led to severe illness. I was in bed for about two days. It took another two to three weeks before I began to feel wholly myself again.
After I told Rachel what happened, I learned that the cupcakes were not brought by her but rather her mother. I would never have expected her mother to know my dietary restrictions, but after all the meals we had shared together in the past, I didn’t see how my friend could forget to mention something that was so important to my health. But we can never assume. Mistakes happen. People forget.
This issue taught me why boundaries around our food choices are so critical. They need to be announced, clarified, and reminded. Not because it’s a matter of preference, but because it’s a matter of health. This issue begs the question: How do we navigate our interactions with people when our choices aren’t always compatible?
I’ve spent a long time thinking about this. I’ve come to realize that we can’t second-guess ourselves. We can’t apologize for eating a certain way or feel like we need to defend our decisions. We can contort our needs to make others comfortable. We have to be vocal about them. As anyone who has been on the gut-healing journey can tell you, there are highs and lows, setbacks, and sacrifices. But these become harder when others interfere—even with the best intentions.
You expect that the one place you can eat safely to be your own home. Home is the one environment where you don’t have to remind the chef, the server, or the food runner at a restaurant of your allergy or your dietary restriction. For someone suffering from dietary issues, this can be a very vulnerable position. That is why it is so critical to have this safe place to eat—even if it’s only one shelf in your pantry. In our home, I’m clear about the necessity of food labeling and how important it is to communicate what the food is, what it contains, and that it has a correct place to be stored.
I’m also clear about what guests can and cannot bring into our home. When I host a dinner party or have guests come to visit (pre-COVID days) I make a point to announce our strict diet rules. I tell everyone that we’re a gluten and dairy-free home, and that if they bring any food into the house, it must be labeled. And the lesson goes both ways. When I’m a guest in the homes of others, I’m very conscious of explaining my needs ahead of time.
It’s important to speak up. And it is even more important to do this without any sense of shame. That’s why I am perfectly comfortable with being the weird one—until it’s no longer weird. As a society, we will never fully accept sensitivities around food protocols until they become the norm. And it won’t be the norm until we begin talking about these more openly.
Food and people: These two absolutes must come with boundaries and clear communication.
By Julia Hirsch
I have a confession to make: I have never composted. City living is no excuse. I have city friends who save scraps in their freezer or compost in a bankers box under a couch. Many cities (New York City and Portland, for example) have composting programs, with drop off sites and compost bins collected by the sanitation department.
With a little outdoor space, the process can be even more straight-forward. For a glimpse of idyllic country composting, I have a friend who saves her scraps in an open bowl on the kitchen counter, then flings them out to her chickens every afternoon. For those of us who don’t have a gaggle of chickens, composting can still be a simple and accessible process. For the first time, I have some outdoor space, so I am ready to try.
But first: Why should we compost? Doesn’t it all just break down in a landfill?
In the US, food waste accounts for the largest category of materials that take up landfill space. Not only does it occupy valuable space and require resources to transport, but it also breaks down without access to oxygen. When this happens, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
When we compost at home, that decomposition process can be harnessed to produce humus, a nutrient rich, organic fertilizer. Humus enriches the soil, facilitating a biodynamic process that retains moisture, cultivates beneficial bacteria and fungi, balances the pH of your soil, and suppresses plant disease. In fact, composting can actually help combat the effects of climate change. According to the EPA, an increase in just one percent of organic matter in the soil can triple the soils water retention capacity, reducing erosion. So, every little bit helps.
Getting Started
First, you’ll need a place to collect your food scraps, and a container in which to compost. For my mission, I wanted to keep it as sustainable as possible, which meant no new purchases. For the scraps, this can be as simple as a staked-out pile with chicken wire, or as complex as a multi-step tumbling system. I was lucky enough to locate an antique diaper bin for a kitchen collector: a metal bucket with a tight lid. So far it has done the job keeping odors out. For the compost bin, I found an old trash can and poked holes in the bottom and sides to welcome the essential oxygen (and worms, should they decide to contribute). For extra credit, I can rotate the compost with a pitchfork as it begins to decompose, or strap the lid on and roll the can around the yard.
Now, if you want to simplify the process further and purchase your gear, there are many streamlined bins available that you can put on your counter, if you’re composting inside. (Many of these have anti-odor features.) If you’re doing so outside, consider a heftier compost bin or barrel.
Getting Composting
The process is simple alchemy. You’ll need a combination of brown waste (dry yard scraps, cardboard, dead leaves, shredded paper), green waste (grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea leaves), water, and air.*
Combine equal parts brown waste and green waste. The brown scraps provide carbon, while the green waste supplies nitrogen.
Add water to moisten the mixture. This allows for the organisms to digest and move. And make sure there is a little airflow. Exposure to oxygen ensures the organisms break down the materials in a way that rids any terrible odors. Now, your compost is ready to brew.
I am looking forward to seeing how this experiment goes. By the spring, maybe there will be enough compost to start a small garden.
Wishing you the best in your composting journey. Start small and see where it goes.
A Few Helpful Notes:
· Be sure to avoid composting any dairy, bones, fats, oils, and pet waste as these materials can attract vermin or contain harmful bacteria.
· For a full list of items to compost (and to avoid), see this EPA Guide.
· There are a few helpful composting resources that offer specific step-by-step guidance. These include: Rodale Institute’s Backyard Composting Cheatsheet, Modern Farmer’s 7 Secrets to Perfect Compost, Compost Junkie, and the New York Times Step-by-Step guide.
Visiting your local farmers market isn't about spending an hour wandering through a maze of inconsistent offerings. It is about doing something that is good for you. People who consistently buy produce, dairy, and other provisions from their local farmers’ market benefit in three ways: better nutrition, stronger community connections, and ongoing learning. And that is just the start. Drawing on my own experience and research, the reasons to go to the farmers market are wide-ranging, making it easy to turn this trip into a lifetime habit.
Nutrient-dense produce. Farmers’ market fruits and vegetables are picked at peak freshness, often the morning of or the day before, so they retain higher nutrient levels. Farmers' proximity makes this possible, whereas most commercial produce (organic and conventional) is farmed farther away. This means produce is often picked days, sometimes weeks, before it ripens so it can be packaged and shipped. Research shows these methods can reduce fruits and vegetables' nutritional value by up to half by the time they reach the grocery store. In contrast, locally sourced produce has higher vitamin and mineral integrity.
Lower carbon footprint. Because farmers' market produce hasn’t traveled thousands of miles to reach you, it has a smaller environmental impact from transport. Also, farmers and purveyors are more likely to follow mindful, sustainable practices.
Greater food transparency. Market vendors are often closely involved in the practice, most often the actual farmer. They are passionate about what they do and are often thrilled to share their farming practices. When I meet a new vendor, I like to ask about their methods. Some questions to consider are:
Are they certified organic? If not, do they spray pesticides?
Is there risk of pesticide contamination from neighboring farms?
Do they sell what they grow?
Do they use GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds?
How are their animals housed and fed? Do they have outdoor pasture?
If the farm processes its own animals, how does it do that?
Larger food processing operations and commercial farms, even certified organic ones, can still use cruel animal practices or have a high carbon footprint. This is why so many are often cloaked in secrecy, unlike smaller local farms that tend to welcome visitors and answer questions. So, talk to your vendors. They love building relationships with customers.
Vibrant flavor. Hands down, farmers market produce tastes better. A fresh tomato from the grocer and one from the farmers market are like two entirely different pieces of produce. The farmers market pick bursts with brightness, sweetness, tanginess, and lots of juice. The grocery store option will taste watery at best. This all goes back to its being picked at peak ripeness and not having to travel so far.
Seasonality and better variety. Go to the grocery store in November, and you’re likely to see the same produce you see in June. Head to the farmers market in November, and you’ll find kohlrabi, blue hubbard squash, and cardoons. The grocer’s goal is to stock the most popular and profitable produce year-round—even if that means sourcing it from South America. The point is, everything at the farmers market is local and seasonal, opening up a new world of fruits and vegetables that rarely get real estate in the produce aisle.
As you’ll see, shopping at the farmer’s market is part of a lifestyle shift. A consistent part of my family’s weekly routine, it's how we connect with our community and the food we eat.
To borrow from Michael Pollan, we have become a nation of “industrial eaters,” expecting access to any type of food at any time. This comes at the cost of our health and perpetuates a corrupt food system. By making small shifts in how we shop, we can create bigger waves of change at home, on our plates, and around the world.
Thirty to 40 percent of the US food supply is wasted every year while millions of Americans face food insecurity. The vast majority of conventional foods are made of genetically modified corn. Industrial agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. These facts, as unconscionable as they are, still plague much of our country. They are major faults in our global food system, leaving us scratching our heads: What can be done? The answer lies in major changes to American policies, corporate systems, and habits. Where do we start? With awareness and a deep appreciation for real food, which each of these books and documentaries offers.
Some scenes in Food Inc. are so horrifying and edifying at the same time that they’ll leave you a changed consumer. That is the point of this documentary, which still informs more than a decade after its release. The facts outlined are vital. For starters, mammoth corporations like Monsanto control far more than the pesticides on conventional crops. They control the foods on display in our grocery stores and how it’s marketed. Filmmaker Robert Kenner exposes the corrupt food chain in the US, taking us on a wild, eye-opening ride from the factory farm to the processing plant to our dinner plate.
This encouraging, uplifting documentary shows how a young couple turned a nutrient-depleted plot of land into a thriving regenerative farm. When John Chester and his wife, Molly, spotted the 200 acres outside of LA, they were farming neophytes. Their lack of knowledge didn't pair well with the fact that the land had suffered a severe drought and needed intensive restoration. Willing to fight the uphill battle, John and Molly learned everything they could and worked tirelessly for eight years straight to bring the land to life. They captured nearly every moment of planting, sowing, and watering on video. Today, the land is a fully functioning regenerative farm focused on nutrient-rich soil to grow mineral-rich food and raise healthy farm animals. Their story is a map to get more involved with where our food comes from, and to honor Mother Nature.
Wasted! The Story of Food Waste.
The late Anthony Bourdain narrates this documentary, lending his civic-minded concern to a topic he most valued: food and its potential to impact people. But instead of telling stories of eating and togetherness, this film focuses on the broken global food system that continues to produce exorbitant amounts of waste—an estimated 80 billion pounds annually in the US—while millions face food insecurity. This is in tandem with the other issues that food waste creates, including greenhouse gases and biodiversity loss. Prominent chefs and activists shed light on their efforts to fix the system, including chef Dan Barber who speaks of using product scraps in dishes. How can you look at your kitchen in a different light? What parts of the vegetable are you tossing out? And how can we demand change from the industry? This insightful film begs all these questions and more.
We’ll read or watch anything by Michael Pollan. The journalist, author, food activist, and professor has a talent for rendering a subject into a poetic lesson. He writes about food, botany, and life in a captivating, educational way. He brings this skill to the screen with Cooked, the four-part series based on his book of the same name. In each episode, Pollan distills cooking to four main elements—water, fire, earth, and air—and explores how each can change food. The stories take us across the globe, from India to Australia to the deep woods of North Carolina. Pollan touches on the history and techniques before exploring the profound ways food brings people together.
Unsavory Truth: How Food Companies Skew the Science of What We Eat
Through rigorous scientific research, Dr. Marion Nestle reveals how the food industry is manipulating nutrition science. She explains how the most heavily marketed foods are ultra-processed, which are huge culprits in both obesity and poor diets. Nestle, who is a revered nutritionist, peels back the layers and unveils a system that is riddled with corruption and scary tactics, and driven by profit. Unsavory Truth arms us with the knowledge we need to start to make clearer eating choices that put our health first.
Years ago, chef Samrin Nosrat audited Pollan’s food journalism class at UC Berkeley, an education that undoubtedly serviced the making of her book. In Salt Fat Acid Heat, Nosrat writes with a clarity and warmth that pulls you in. Part cookbook, part lifetime guide, this resource serves as a way to better understand the art of cooking and the integrity of pure ingredients. Rather than merely telling you what to do when, Nosrat explains the how, why, and where of food, instilling in the reader an understanding and deep appreciation. Every page is an exploration of layers and concepts, from soaking to roasting to whipping fresh cream. This is a book to keep on hand so you can reference it with trust, much like a dear friend.
While we have yet to read this at PrimaFoodie, this book is at the top of our lists. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Michael Moss unveils the corrupt world of corporate food manufacturers and giant food chains, detailing the cryptic use of marketing to get people hooked on fast, sugary, unhealthy foods. Using his groundbreaking research, Moss is figuring out how to work WITH business to change the food supply for the better.
The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite
Revisiting this book by former FDA commissioner, Dr. David Kessler, seems like a good idea right now when COVID-19 is severely impacting those with obesity and related chronic diseases. Kessler is armed with wisdom from working inside of the FDA-food supply apparatus, yet his book remains objective. His main premise is that the public has a right to a transparent food supply chain (knowing what’s in our food and potential related health risks to the ingredients) and that each cog in the supply chain, including all types of restaurants, be required to label the ingredients and calories in the food. Further, he addresses one of the most insidious culprits: food marketing.
Dr. Terry Wahls once battled such severe progressive multiple sclerosis, she had to succumb to living her life from a reclining wheelchair. Wahls, who had access to the most advanced medicine in existence, tried every treatment to ease her symptoms, but nothing worked. As she faced the possibility of being bedridden, she started looking for alternative answers, starting with her diet. Three months after adopting a combination of a true paleo diet and functional medicine, she started walking with a cane. After six months she could walk unaided. Now, she can walk, bike, and even jog. Her focus is on maximizing nutrients for the brain. Her discoveries have been revolutionary for her and her patients.
The journey to clean and conscious eating has its challenges. Regions throughout the US still lack access to fresh ingredients. People are strapped for time, desire, or nutrition information. There is also an abundance of misinformation and greenwashing, as countless manufacturers continue to include harmful ingredients while claiming their products to be “natural.” These issues feed the dark truth behind the global food system.
It is because of these reasons, and many others, that we do what we do at PrimaFoodie. For too long, barriers to clean food have thwarted progress. We want to call out the bad and call in the good—the farmers, educators, and entrepreneurs who are working to provide the world with accessible, honest, nutritious food. You’ll find those pioneers in this roundup of conscious small brands.
Each of these independently owned companies distributes or produces foods that are wholesome and clean, and they do so transparently and fairly. They provide information about their supply chains and work to make their pricing fair and attainable. They also put people over profits. We believe that fairness and equality are as essential as organic and non-GMO.
This guide will be an evolving project. For this first chapter, we’ve included purveyors and makers that ship nationally (or to most of the US). We’ll continue to add to it as we explore new companies.
Like anything, a real shift starts with small steps. The more people support independent brands, the less momentum the corrupt global food conglomerates will have. This all begins with ideas, which grow into conversations and ultimately a global movement.
Meat and Poultry
John and Kassandra Barton have been sustainably raising their animals on their upstate New York Farm for more than twenty years. They started out with sheep, and eventually included cows, pigs, and chickens. Today, they partner with several other local farmers and ranchers to offer humanely raised, grass-fed beef, chicken, and pork, as well as maple syrup and local CSA boxes.
Fresh air. Open, spacious fields. Zero GMO foods. These tenets are paramount in how the founders behind Peads and Barnett raise their pigs. The humanity shows in their fresh organic pork, many that come in cuts that mirror the European, Japanese, and Chinese styles that are hard to find in the states. While their products are primarily found at several LA-area farmers’ markets and specialty foods shops, they do offer some local delivery. It’s worth sending them an email to inquire if they’ll ship to your area.
Seafood
Greensbury has been working with sustainable and organic farmers, fisheries, and ranches across the US since 2007. They corral products based on their strict vetting parameters, which include meats that are only grass-fed, and hormone- antibiotic, and steroid-free, and wild-caught, sustainable seafood. There’s also a section on the online market that offers bone broths and family bundle options.
There are two huge reasons we love Wild Alaskan: Every piece of fish offered on the site is wild and sustainably caught. And two: The site makes shopping easy and transparent. You can choose from various boxes (some all salmon, some whitefish and salmon) according to price. It’s efficient and clear.
Seafood is Ben Hyman’s passion. After spending twenty years on commercial fishing boats and seeing a lack of respect, sustainability, and transparency in the industry, he launched WildLocal. As the name suggests, Hyman focuses on seafood line-caught in the Pacific waters outside his Ventura, California base. You can shop the weekly fisherman’s catch online and have it expressed delivered on ice. (But if you’re in Southern California, it’s worth catching Ben and his team at one of the local farmers’ markets they attend in and around Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, and LA.)
Baked Goods, Chocolates, and Other Sweets
It’s impossible not to fall for everything Sweet Laurel. Their whole-food baked goods have the ability to render the biggest sugar lover speechless with one bite of their organic, grain- dairy- refined sugar-free treats. Co-founder Laurel Gallucci has a talent for whipping together minimal whole food ingredients to make spongy cakes, gooey cookies, crumbly shortbreads, and decadent pies that rival any conventional confections. She and co-founder, Clair Thomas, have brought these recipes to the mainstream with their Pacific Palisades bakery. But if you’re not in Southern California, they divulge their secrets in their cookbook, and offer an assortment of baking mixes, ingredients, teas, and coffees online.
Founder Andrea Hopf does everything with intention and meticulous care. Her love for pure, raw, organic foods stems from her upbringing in Germany and fuels her line of high quality, vegan chocolates. Each treat contains the purest raw and organic ingredients—creamy cacao butter, plant nectars, quality spices—that makes for treats that are rich and indulgent. (The recipes are also high in natural minerals and contain no refined sugar.) Andrea has extended her line to now include nut butters, vegan cookie dough (a glorified nut butter treat meant to eat straight out of the jar), hot cocoa, and nut milks.
Grains, Nuts, Seeds, Spices, Beans, and Breads
This husband and wife team produces the creamiest organic nut butters we’ve had. The secret is in how they stone grind the sprouted nuts, using no heat to retain the maximum amount of nutrients. (We love their Sprouted Almond Butter over fresh strawberries for dessert.) They also specialize in organic sprouted beans, seeds, and nuts (all of which they ship nationally), as well as organic microgreens that are available for customers in their Southern California region.
One Degree is taking transparency to the next level. On every package there is a scannable QR code that links to literature and videos about the ingredients, farmers, and practices that went into making that specific product. All of their cereals, breads, granola, flours, and seeds are non-GMO and organic, as well as free from glyphosate, colorings, and other additives. You can’t shop their goods directly from their site, but Thrive Market and a handful of other online purveyors offer their goods.
Diaspora founder Sana Javeri Kadri sources spices that “are an expression of the land they’re grown on, and the heirloom seed that they’re grown from,” she says. Kadri works directly with single organic farms that deliver the brightest, most potent spices and pay their workers a fair wage. The result is a product that you can feel good about—and one that is unparalleled. Diaspora’s turmeric is bright and zesty, its chilies are complex and deep, and its peppercorns are fruity and layered.
The Philosopher’s Stone Ground
Another maker of incredible small-batch, stone ground nut butters. Full of enzymes, nutrients, and flavor, these butters are creamy and smooth—and they only contain sprouted organic nuts and a handful of other organic, fair-trade ingredients.
Katinka is a nutrition expert and yogi who makes nutritionally dense, grain-free clean baked goods. She uses only vegan, low glycemic, gluten-free, non-GMO whole ingredients in her mixes, which she handcrafts in small batches. Her breads are some of the rare gluten-free options that aren’t laden with vapid starches.
Located in Vergennes, Vermont, Broundbrook Farm specializes in small-batch ecological organic rice farming. They are one of the few farms in the US that mirrors practices borrowed from Japan, in which they use their beloved ducks to help tend to the rice fields to control the pests and weeds. You can order their white and brown rice to be shipped.
Larry Kandarian is a true steward of soil. A farmer with nearly three decades’ experience, he follows sustainable, organic practices and puts integrity first. This shows in the variety of beans he cultivates on his farm, which we think are the best around. He also produces ancient grains, lentils, seeds, and organic herbs and spices, all of which are available for order online.
Online Grocers
Imperfect Foods brilliantly offers a solution to major roadblocks in our food system: copious waste and unaffordability. The online marketplace offers a large array of organic fruit, vegetables, meats, poultry, dairy, nuts, and more at about 30 percent below the average grocery story price. The cost savings comes from Imperfect’s model, which sources produce and other foods that are deemed ugly (fruits and vegetables that have been tossed aside because of their dents or imperfections), undervalued, excess inventory, or lacking in demand. You need to still be diligent when shopping here, as not all items are organic and the brands can vary. Imperfect also provides grants to nonprofits that are working to make our food system more inclusive, transparent, and healthy.
Thrive Market is the result of four founders who were steadfast on offering nutritious, small brand natural products at affordable prices. In 2014, the team launched an e-commerce grocery store that does its due diligence in sourcing products that are organic, non-GMO, and sustainably made. What we love is how easily navigable it is: Items are divided into obvious market sections—food, meat & seafood, apothecary, home, pets, etc.—and also according to dietary and lifestyle needs. The company creates its own line of products, and more recently started offering wine that is free of added sugars, pesticides, GMO yeasts.
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