The Well Fed Neighbor

What It Takes to Place Local Food in the Public Schools - Episode 73

This evening we sit down with a good friend of mine Janeane Myhre, who has been a Food Service Director (FSD) for a local school system for a long time. She has also been an advocate of local food, for just as long, perhaps longer. Here she shares some insights into what it takes for a school system in Missouri to source locally. From the outside, we think it should be simple. From the inside there is a lot more to manage if an FSD decides to take on this important endeavor.

Being a Good Neighbor- Episode 72

I think we all have a sense of what it means to be a good neighbor. Question is, do we embody it no matter where we go? Here we share some stories of recent events that do and do not embody the good neighbor. This is a bit outside of our  Well-Fed Neighbor food system focus but think it will be useful to anyone listening. Moral of the story is.... be a good neighbor no matter where you are and what you are doing. We are living through times that will require a bit more patience than perhaps usual. 

Food Freedom- Episode 71

To have food freedom is to be free from the food rules that can end up controlling our lives from the microcosm of the kitchen, to the our largest supported industrialized system. These rules generally come with a side helping of morality, you’re “good” if you follow the rules, you’re “bad” if you don’t. Here we unpack more of a food system level what that means for the consumer or eater who doesn’t play into the trends but just wants to feel well.

Global Alliance Improved Nutrition- Episode 70

GAIN recently had a summit to discuss how to address food system concerns on a global level. We no doubt have HUGE problem. In this country however we know from COVID and the food systems breakdown with the industrialized system, that globalization is not the solution. Think global but act local with regenerative agriculture and supporting your local producer.

Our Food Supply is Crap- What Next?- Episode 69

Our big thing here at the Well Fed Neighbor Podcast is bringing to light the opportunities that exist for decentralizing the food supply as well as improving your health while doing it. What does decentralization mean? Why is it important? My book Destination Real Food: Navigating Our Food System and Restoring Our Soil to Improve Health discusses the solution from the 20,000 ft view but with local examples. I kept it simple and foundational. Everyone needs to understand that they play a part. What is your next step to support yourself, your family, your community? Choose one step and just walk forward. Decentralize by building local relationships. 

Outsourced, Over Fed(Not Well Fed) and Sick- Episode 68

We Americans have trusted our food supply to a system that produces non food items which predominate the market. These foods keep us eating large amounts of low quality calories, in combination with ingredients that keep us eating more and more those food items.  This in turn has the potential to cause issues with our health, specifically our weight and thyroid initially. In order  to improve our health we must start being purposeful about what we put in our bodies and supporting regenerative food systems.

After the Flood- Episode 67

Getting a little philosophical here.....often times we think of flooding as a bad thing. I had a flood in my basement this past week and so we did not podcast last Tuesday. There has been flooding in the eastern part of the state that has forced some major reconstruction our beloved Current River and then, there is the proverbial flood. What if we stop labeling things as good or bad and always look to the opportunity presented to us?

Fluoride. Friend or Foe? Episode 66

Fluoride has been shown to be a neurotoxin in high doses but yet it's put in our public water supply. It occurs naturally in ground water and wells. Some foods tend to pick more of it up out of the soil. Should we be concerned or not? Here we unravel some of the actual numbers for exposure as well as some additional background/historical information. As always, don't be afraid to do your own research and make an educated decision. 

They Put WHAT in Our Food? Episode 65

With the recent changes by the FDA for removal of petroleum based food dyes to our food,  we thought it would be idea to have a discussion about it. Sometimes the consumer is unaware that these things are going on, until they are not. Simply said, the damage is already done however. We just believe that the government has our best interests at heart but we shouldn't because well, they don't appear to or we wouldn't have to remove toxins from our food supply. Right?

Honoring Our Planet Earth- Episode 64

There are a lot of activities on this day April 22,  surrounding Earth Day. Historically, Earth Day started in 1970 following the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Her book published in 1962 brought attention to the silent killer of DDT in the food chain. It remains a concern 53 years later after being taken off the market in 1972. Perhaps we could treat the planet a bit more respectfully so we done't have to continuously recover? Here are our thoughts for the evening.