Food Sleuth Radio

Did you know that consolidation in our food and agriculture systems has more to do with the price of eggs than bird flu? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Basel Musharbash, antitrust and trade regulation lawyer, and author of Kings Over the Necessaries of Life: Monopolization and the Elimination of Competition in America’s Agriculture System. Musharbash discusses the real reasons why egg prices escalated, and the larger impact of consolidation in our food system. (Part 1 of 2) Related Websites: https://farmaction.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Kings-Over-the-Necessaries-of-Life-Monopolization-and-the-Elimination-of-Competition-in-Americas-Agriculture-System_Farm-Action.pdf

Did you know that some food dyes can have a negative influence children’s behavior? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Peter Lurie, MD, MPH, President and Executive Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a non-profit food and health watchdog organization based in Washington, DC. Lurie discusses the workings of the FDA, RFK’s position on food dyes, the EU’s policy on food dyes, cuts to FDA and NIH grants, and ways to advocate for smart food and health policies. Related Websites: CSPI: www.cspinet.org Chemical Cuisine: https://www.cspinet.org/page/chemical-cuisine-food-additive-safety-ratings NIH Grants termination: https://www.cspinet.org/case/nih-grants-termination

Did you know that Roundup for residential /consumer use has been re-formulated to replace glyphosate with even more harmful chemicals? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Kendra Klein, PhD., Deputy Director of Science at Friends of the Earth. Klein describes new formulations, health risks of herbicides and misconceptions about “regenerative” and no-till agriculture. Related Websites: www.foe.org New Roundup, New Risks: Bayer’s Controversial Weed Killer is More Toxic than Ever: https://foe.org/resources/new-roundup-new-risks/ Organic for All: https://foe.org/organic-for-all/ Rethinking No-till: https://foe.org/resources/rethinking-no-till/

Did you know that USDA’s recent cuts to local food promotion grants will thwart farmers’ ability to provide fresh, nourishing, local food to schools and food pantries? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Liz Graznak, MO-based certified organic farmer. Graznak will discuss the impacts of recent USDA grant funding cuts on her farm’s labor and food production, plus broader impacts on climate, environment and public health. Related Websites: Happy Hollow Farm: organic farming, climate smart agriculture, USDA, Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, MAHA, labor Real Organic Project interview: https://realorganicproject.org/liz-graznak-surprise-25-percent-market-gone-215/ Union of Concerned Scientists: https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/11-trillion-reward.pdf Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA): https://odphp.health.gov/foodismedicine/federal-resource-hub/local-food-purchase-assistance-cooperative-agreement-program Local Food for Schools: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/lfs

Did you know that federal budget allocations for farm to school purchasing have been cut, harming farmers, rural economies and the diet quality of school children? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Ryan Betz, MS., policy specialist with the National Farm to School Network where he supports the Network's federal policy efforts, as well as managing "Who's at the Table?" School Meals Campaign advocating for Values-Aligned School Meals for All. Betz describes the federal cuts to Farm to School programming, and suggests ways we can voice our opposition to funding cuts and help restore vital programs that invest in our national well-being. Related Websites: Farm to School webinar: Cuts that Bite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvQdg2AegzE Funding Farm to School: https://www.farmtoschool.org/resources-main/funding-farm-to-school Farm to School Policy Action: https://www.farmtoschool.org/policy/take-action

Did you know that “geohealth” refers to health and disease through a geographical lens? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Alan Kolok, PhD , Professor Emeritus, Environmental Toxicology, University of Idaho, Volunteer Faculty, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, author of Modern Poisons: A Brief Introduction to Contemporary Toxicology, and coauthor of “Exploring the Joint Association Between Agrichemical Mixtures and Pediatric Cancer,”GeoHealth (Feb. 2025). Kolok discusses his unique research on exposure to agricultural chemical mixtures and incidence of pediatric cancers. He also describes the importance of the USGS Pesticide National Synthesis Project, and related maps in scientific research. Related Websites: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39944898/ USGS Pesticide National Synthesis Project maps: https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/pnsp/usage/maps/

Did you know that regional, community grocery stores can create stronger, more resilient communities? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her continued conversation with Lea Rainey, founder of Roots Zero Waste Market and Organic Café, located in Garden City, ID. Rainey introduces us to the term “food ethics,” and discusses food pricing, how she sources local/regional organic food, pays her employees fair wages, and chooses reusable containers over single-use plastic. Part 2 of 2. Related Websites: Roots Zero Waste Market: https://www.rootszerowastemarket.com/ https://idahonews.com/news/local/roots-zero-waste-market-in-garden-city-to-eliminate-waste-in-grocery-stores Egg prices: https://farmaction.us/farm-action-calls-for-an-investigation-into-skyrocketing-egg-prices-and-restricted-supply/ Organically Grown Company: https://www.organicgrown.com/

Did you know that the grocery industry makes a significant contribution to both food waste and the global plastic crisis? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Lea Rainey, founder of Roots Zero Waste Market and Organic Cafe, located in Garden City, ID. Rainey discusses what makes her grocery store unique, including her efforts to reduce waste, offer local/regional organic food, and focus on alternatives to single-use plastic. Part 1 of 2. Related Websites: Roots Zero Waste Market: https://www.rootszerowastemarket.com/ https://idahonews.com/news/local/roots-zero-waste-market-in-garden-city-to-eliminate-waste-in-grocery-stores Formaticum cheese paper: https://www.formaticum.com/pages/cheese-storage-101 Contronics: https://www.ecrloss.com/innovation/ecr-top-30-innovations-in-food-waste-loss-2023/contronics

Did you know that farmworkers face a growing number of hardships and threats both in their jobs and communities? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Fabiola Ortiz Valdez, Director of Organizing, Food Chain Workers Alliance. Valdez discusses farmworkers’ lives and the struggles they face as they toil to put food on our plates. Related Websites: Report: https://farmworkertribunal.org/#summary https://www.ncfh.org/uploads/3/8/6/8/38685499/facts_about_farmworkers_fact_sheet_1.10.23.pdf

Did you know that there are global brokers looking for land to “grab” as a way to capture water and food production? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Nate Halverson, Emmy Award-winning journalist at The Center for Investigative Reporting, and producer and lead reporter in The Grab, a feature-length documentary that uncovers the powerful interests vying to control global food and water supplies. Related Websites: The Grab: https://revealnews.org/the-grab/

Did you know that plastic recycling is a myth? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Megan Wolff, PhD, MPH, public health practitioner, subject matter expert on plastics and human health, visiting faculty at Bennington College, and Executive Director of the Physicians and Scientists Network for Advocacy on Plastics and Health (P-SNAP). Wolff discusses the myths of plastic recycling and “bio-plastics,” efforts of communities to ban single-use plastics, “plasticulture,” and extended producer responsibility. She is offering a virtual course through Bennington College to students and the general public: Class: Plastics, Microplastics, and Human Health – Spring 2025 ; Wednesdays | 7:00–8:50 pm ET, April 16 – May 28, 2025; Register here Related Websites: Minderoo report: https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.4056 https://psnap.org/

Did you know plastics don’t break down, they break up? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Megan Wolff, PhD, MPH, public health practitioner, subject matter expert on plastics and human health, visiting faculty at Bennington College, and Executive Director of the Physicians and Scientists Network for Advocacy on Plastics and Health (P-SNAP). Wolff discusses the growing health effects from the increasing amounts of plastics in our environment. Related Websites: Minderoo report: https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.4056 https://psnap.org/

Did you know that H5 influenza (also called bird flu) will continue to spread into new species and threaten human lives? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Carol Cardona, Ph.D., DVM, Professor and Endowed Chair in Avian Health in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of MN – St. Paul. Dr. Cardona discusses avian influenza, (popularly called “bird flu”) or H5N1, the spread to new species, risk to human health, vaccination, farm worker health, and the need to support public health agencies in their efforts to educate producers and consumers, and protect all species. Related Websites: https://vetmed.umn.edu/bio/college-of-veterinary-medicine/carol-cardona Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center: https://umash.umn.edu/hpai-toolkit/

Did you know that Mexico is trying to protect their health and food sovereignty rights to reject US GMO corn exports for use in their corn tortillas? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Timothy Wise, MS, Senior Research Fellow at the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University, investigative journalist for U.S. Right to Know, and the author of Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food. Wise discusses the impact of the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (formerly NAFTA) on Mexican food sovereignty and health, and the potential impacts of President Trump’s trade tariffs. He also discusses the scientific evidence Mexico has compiled showing real health concerns from consuming GMO corn. Related Websites: Health Concerns from GM crops: https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DOSSIER-MAIZ-2024-ENGfinal-5.pdf https://www.timothyawise.com/

Did you know that whatever your interest, you can use it to make positive change in your community? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mackenzie Feldman, founder and co-director of Re:wild Your Campus, and co-author of Groundbakers: 60+ Plant-Based Comfort Food Recipes and 16 Leaders Changing the Food System. Feldman discusses her work to eliminate synthetic pesticides on campus grounds, her research on cover-crops, and her cookbook which includes recipes and empowering stories from food system leaders creating positive food system change. Related Websites: https://www.rewildyourcampus.org/ Ground Bakers: https://www.groundbakers.com/ Into the Weeds documentary: https://www.intotheweedsimpact.com/the-film Walking Softer: https://www.walkingsofter.org/

Did you know that industrialized hog farming has harmed rural communities and public health? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Sonja Eayrs, attorney, farm advocate and author of Dodge County Inc.: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. Eayrs describes the corporatization of hog farming and the resulting wake of destruction, including fouled air and water, declining rural communities, harassment against those who speak out, and methods of corporate indoctrination. Related Websites: https://www.sonjatromeayrs.com/

Did you know that nutrition can be an unspoken tool of oppression for marginalized populations? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with David Wiss, PhD, RD, pioneer in the field of nutrition and mental health. Wiss discusses his food-positive approach in addiction recovery and disordered eating. He explains how the ‘all foods can fit’ approach can backfire, how and why nutrition is a social justice movement, and the challenges when trying to change the food system in institutions. He also discusses commercial determinants of health. Related Websites: Nutrition In Recovery: https://drdavidwiss.com/ Wise Mind Nutrition App to “Nurture your body, quiet your mind, and rediscover balance through nutrition and mental health support.” https://wisemindnutrition.com/?utm_source=DrDavidWiss.com Dismantling the Myth of “All Foods Fit” in Eating Disorder Treatment: https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-024-01017-9 Ultra-Processed Foods and Mental Health: Where do eating Disorders fit into the Puzzle: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/12/1955 New FDA Rule on the “healthy” label: https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-finalizes-updated-healthy-nutrient-content-claim

Did you know that over 30 percent of consumers say most of their meals are eaten alone? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mike Kostyo, MA, Vice President of Menu Matters, LLC, and “trendologist.” Kostyo will discuss food and societal trends for 2025, including flavor, travel, trade and GLP-1 drugs. Kostyo says one way to address our national epidemic of loneliness and disconnection is to share more meals with others, and he encourages us to enjoy new food experiences in 2025. Related Websites: https://menumatters.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrkostyo/

Did you know that Chef Sean Sherman’s James Beard award-winning restaurant, Owamni, in Minneapolis, MN features decolonized foods? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Sean Sherman, a.k.a. the “Sioux Chef.” Chef Sherman discusses the meaning of colonization and describes his mission to develop and promote Indigenous foodways throughout North America. Related Websites: https://seansherman.com/ www.natifs.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OoJeZqmh8E

Did you know that PFAS refers to a class of chemicals that are ubiquitous in our environment but pose significant health risks? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Bennet discusses the toxicity of PFAS, how and why they get into our water, soil, food and bodies, and ways to avoid and control exposure. Related Websites: Green Science Policy Institute: https://greensciencepolicy.org/harmful-chemicals/pfas/ https://peer.org/author/kyla-bennett/page/2/ Petition to EPA: https://peer.org/petition-tell-epa-to-get-pfas-out-of-pesticides/