With Bowl and Spoon

Trina Goggins shares her story of how she went from reluctant, novice gardener to heirloom preservationist. From humble beginnings in her backyard, Trina now cultivates over 100 varieties of peppers in her microfarm, focusing on African American heritage seeds. She challenges industry norms, emphasizing diversity and education in her community. What sets Trina apart is her hands-on approach to cre...

Discover the captivating journey of Jen and Greg, second-generation organic farmers in Western Pennsylvania, as they unveil the evolution of Blackberry Meadows. From inheriting the CSA torch from the Duffs to pioneering innovative practices like using pigs as farm workers and introducing "Farm Club," their story epitomizes resilience and creativity in sustainable agriculture. Tune in to explore th...

In this remastered episode, to celebrate the opening of Leona's new scoop shop in Lawrenceville, we're revisiting my interview with Katie Heldstab recorded in January 2021 - during the peak of the pandemic. Katie shares her culinary journey from Minneapolis to Wisconsin and settling in Pittsburgh, reflecting on her experiences with home cooking, humorous mishaps, and transformative culinar...

In this episode, we explore the heartwarming story of Mekatos Eatery, a culinary haven in Southern Market, Lancaster, PA, where Colombian and Laotian flavors intertwine to create a unique dining experience. Owners Leokham Saengmuang and Ron Buitrago infuse their cultural heritage into every dish, offering a menu that includes Nam Khao (broken rice) with Colombian spiced meats, Arepas, Asian sausag...

In this episode, Betty and T.Lyle Ferderber, founders of Frankferd Farms Organic Foods, share their inspiring journey from young idealistic hippies to pioneers in the organic food movement. Starting in a 200-year-old farmhouse, they ventured into organic farming and product development, influenced by the innovative practices of Walnut Acres farm. They recount their role in shaping organic certific...

In this episode, Anaïs's shares her journey from a French upbringing surrounded by cheese to discovering her true passion in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania. Alongside her husband Chris, they embarked on business ownership, intertwining their love story with their love of cheese. Despite the challenges, they prioritize community building and employee investment over expansion, offering benefi...

In Season 3, episode 6, we delve into the impactful work of Denele Hughson at Grow Pittsburgh. For nearly a decade, Denele has championed food security and community empowerment. Recognizing food as a powerful connector, Denele focuses on education and workforce development to combat food apartheid. Despite challenges, Grow Pittsburgh prioritizes inclusivity, shifting perceptions and fostering com...

In this episode we delve into the inspiring journey of Ahmed Tacumba Turner, Jr., a passionate advocate for community empowerment and food justice. Tacumba shares his transformative journey, highlighting key experiences with Pittsburgh City Planning's Adopt-A-Lot program and his involvement with Sankofa Village Community Garden. From these pivotal moments, Tacumba's dedication to addressin...

Here's a shorter version of my interview with Ben from earlier this week. Enjoy!

In this episode we delve into the intricacies of the meat industry with Ben Buchanan, a seasoned butcher with two decades of experience. Ben shares his insights into the challenges facing local and regional meat farmers and butchers, particularly in the shadow of Big Agriculture and factory farming practices. Ben sheds light on the "Chickenification" phenomenon that has permeated the chi...

Join hosts Shelly Danko+Day and Brett Day on a culinary adventure as they invite listeners into their home for a behind-the-scenes look at the trials and triumphs of replacing a refrigerator. In this episode Shelly and Brett share the ups and downs of navigating the world of major appliance purchase. From quirky old house woes to heartwarming gestures of community support, this episode is packed w...

Short version of my interview with TJ Jackson from February 8th.

In this SHORT version of my interview from October, we follow Laura Totin Codori's remarkable journey as an environmentalist, beginning with her childhood initiative founding the Trash Busters at her elementary school. From there, Laura's commitment to sustainability led her through a journey of dietary exploration, including vegetarianism and veganism, though not without its challenges, particula...

In this episode, delve into the fascinating world of fungi with TJ Jackson, a trailblazer in mushroom foraging and farming. From his childhood adventures foraging morels with his granddad to pioneering sustainable cultivation practices, TJ's journey is a testament to the magic of mushrooms. Join us as we uncover the enchanting world of mushrooms through the eyes of TJ Jackson, where passion meets...

Here is a special edited version of our interview with Aeros and Chris from Who Cooks For You farm.

In this episode, we delve into the captivating journey of Aeros Lillstrom and Chris Brittenburg, the cool kids of Who Cooks For You Farm, who have been a staple of Pittsburgh's farmers market scene since the early 2000s. With a remarkable selection of produce and an impressive market setup, they have become synonymous with quality and innovation in the local farming scene. We explore the found...

Good bye 2023, you were a year. While you weren't the most exciting, you still contained plenty of good food and good friends!  Brett and I talk about the highlights from our travels, special occasions, and our own backyard. Look for new episodes coming late January 2024!

Jo is a city girl from Minnesota who intentionally moved to Pittsburgh with friends to invest in the community. We talk about her free-range childhood, Minnesota foods, her time with the Pittsburgh Project and Ballfield Farms, and what's next for PFPC. Audio note:  We recorded this in early November on a gorgeous fall day outdoors, so you'll hear some vehicles and some birds.  After I got home, I...

Ebony is an educator, farmer and entrepreneur with a focus on community. She was inspired to create a backyard educational "program" with the neighborhood kids that came to play with her kids. She made stations designed to teach the kids to take care of each other. From that, Ebony launched a non-profit organization (Out of the End) and a for-profit (Farmer Girl Eb) business, both designed to help...

Josh is a tech-for-social-good entrepreneur, urban pioneer, and nature photographer. Josh grew up in New Jersey and moved to Pittsburgh to attend CMU, then started and sold several businesses. Today, he runs a company called Reseed that helps smallholder farms capitalize on their regenerative farming practices by selling their carbon credits. Josh talks about how we can hijack capitalism and hack...

Rayden is an ice hockey player, artist, and expert community builder. We talk at a point in his life and his career, where he is passing the torch at Grow Pittsburgh and venturing out to see what's next. We talk about  growing up without a lot of structure, Jewish food culture, boarding school, his work in the Pittsburgh agriculture scene, hospital food, food shaming, how to build a team, his pers...

Erika is a baker, artist, and founding member of Pittsburgh's first cooperative bakery.  Erika tells me about her work on America's Test Kitchen, Cook's Illustrated, and Milk Street; recipe development (including the lemon layer cake in episode photo); her writing career; and the reality of burnout in the culinary arts field.

Growing up both in the Philippines and the US, and now having perfected both cooking and farming, Rafael has a unique perspective on our food system. We talk about bite-sized goals, assimilating to American culture, and his new restaurant venture! Bahay Kubo, the song that helped Rafael select what he would grow: https://www.tagaloglang.com/bahay-kubo-lyrics-recordings/ Noise alert: This interview...

Beth is a writer, scholar, food tour guide, educator, gardener, and soon-to-be bakery owner. She always connected to people through food and found her way to Chatham University's Food Studies program to bring food to the forefront of her work. As a founding member of Pittsburgh's first bakery co-op, she is eager to create that space for others. #chathamfoodstudies #foodstudies #thirdspacebakery #c...

Chris has a passion for food but spent many years trying to figure out how he and food fit together. He talks about growing up in Dayton Ohio, his fascination with exotic foods like meatloaf, and how one Food Studies graduate class changed his perspective of the food system. Chris leans on his faith, and aims to create a narrative of hope moving forward, with a focus on love, connection and a sens...