The Stories Behind Our Food | An Equal Exchange Podcast Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:39:41 -0400 http://equalexchange.coop en-us © 2026 The Stories Behind Our Food | An Equal Exchange Podcast yes f8de09e2-7c21-58f4-84af-8f509d09f408 Equal Exchange Inc. episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Equal Exchange Equal Exchange Inc. https://storage.buzzsprout.com/d3fj8w49xmz41am61al5pdneu8nf?.jpg The Stories Behind Our Food | An Equal Exchange Podcast http://equalexchange.coop Taking a Passion for Food Online Taking a Passion for Food Online Dreaming about quitting your day job? Food blogger and photographer Chelsea Colbath decided to pursue her passion for food full time. She joined us to talk about Baked Greens, her food-focused blog and photography business. A participant in Equal Exchange's organizing work, she's engaged in exploring the importance of community and what it means to be an engaged citizen staying authentic in a world dominated by corporations. 

Chelsea also shared some of the fun sides of her work -- including how she creates simple, affordable, and socially conscious recipes for her followers.


You can learn more about Chelsea and Baked Greens at www.bakedgreens.com

And remember to share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it. 

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Danielle Robidoux & Gary Goodman. For additional information about this podcast, please visit  https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

]]> Dreaming about quitting your day job? Food blogger and photographer Chelsea Colbath decided to pursue her passion for food full time. She joined us to talk about Baked Greens, her food-focused blog and photography business. A participant in Equal Exchange's organizing work, she's engaged in exploring the importance of community and what it means to be an engaged citizen staying authentic in a world dominated by corporations. 

Chelsea also shared some of the fun sides of her work -- including how she creates simple, affordable, and socially conscious recipes for her followers.


You can learn more about Chelsea and Baked Greens at www.bakedgreens.com

And remember to share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it. 

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Danielle Robidoux & Gary Goodman. For additional information about this podcast, please visit  https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

]]> Chelsea Colbath from Baked Greens Buzzsprout-2861632 Tue, 03 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0500 1808 Equal Exchange, Baked Greens, Chelsea Colbath, Gary Goodman, Danielle Robidoux, food blogging, photography, healthy eating, recipes, foodie 2 2 full false Local Meat, Lower Impact Local Meat, Lower Impact Did you know that pasture-raised beef can be carbon-negative? Neither did we! Charley Cummings, the founder and CEO of Walden Local Meat, started his business to help New England farmers bring their best cuts right to customers’ doors. His model shows that regenerative agriculture can benefit animal welfare, local economies and the environment, all at the same time. 

To kick off the second season of The Stories Behind Our Food, we traveled to snowy Billerica, MA to record this episode and find out how the folks at Walden do what they do – and why. Charley believes the industrial food system contributes to an estrangement between rural and urban, but our growing interest in good food pushes back against that. Can high-quality, sustainably raised meat bring neighbors closer together?

Visit Walden Local Meat online: https://waldenlocalmeat.com/

And remember to share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it. 

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with host Kate Chess. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

]]> Did you know that pasture-raised beef can be carbon-negative? Neither did we! Charley Cummings, the founder and CEO of Walden Local Meat, started his business to help New England farmers bring their best cuts right to customers’ doors. His model shows that regenerative agriculture can benefit animal welfare, local economies and the environment, all at the same time. 

To kick off the second season of The Stories Behind Our Food, we traveled to snowy Billerica, MA to record this episode and find out how the folks at Walden do what they do – and why. Charley believes the industrial food system contributes to an estrangement between rural and urban, but our growing interest in good food pushes back against that. Can high-quality, sustainably raised meat bring neighbors closer together?

Visit Walden Local Meat online: https://waldenlocalmeat.com/

And remember to share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it. 

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with host Kate Chess. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

]]> Charley Cummings of Walden Local Meat Buzzsprout-2554861 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:00:00 -0500 2149 meat, local food, sustainability, carbon sequestration, pasture raised, grass fed, eat local, csa 2 1 full false The Spicy Origins of Burlap & Barrel The Spicy Origins of Burlap & Barrel Where do you go to find the most unusual spices? Former chef Ethan Frisch travels all over the world. More specifically, he seeks out farmers who are growing herbs and seasonings of exceptional quality, and through his company, Burlap & Barrel, he helps them connect with a global market. This month on The Stories Behind Our Food, Ethan joined us for a conversation about fair trade and the entrepreneurial spirit.

You’ll hear how modern technology can allow a farmer in Vietnam to help a farmer in Tanzania. You’ll learn what’s wrong with the spices in your cabinet (hint: your cinnamon is probably very old!) And if you’re like us, you’ll be inspired to look at those jars in a whole new way.

Visit Burlap & Barrel online: www.burlapandbarrel.com

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Kate Chess and Danielle Robidoux. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

Did you like this episode? Please help us by sharing it with one person you think would enjoy it.

]]> Where do you go to find the most unusual spices? Former chef Ethan Frisch travels all over the world. More specifically, he seeks out farmers who are growing herbs and seasonings of exceptional quality, and through his company, Burlap & Barrel, he helps them connect with a global market. This month on The Stories Behind Our Food, Ethan joined us for a conversation about fair trade and the entrepreneurial spirit.

You’ll hear how modern technology can allow a farmer in Vietnam to help a farmer in Tanzania. You’ll learn what’s wrong with the spices in your cabinet (hint: your cinnamon is probably very old!) And if you’re like us, you’ll be inspired to look at those jars in a whole new way.

Visit Burlap & Barrel online: www.burlapandbarrel.com

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Kate Chess and Danielle Robidoux. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

Did you like this episode? Please help us by sharing it with one person you think would enjoy it.

]]> Ethan Frisch of Burlap & Barrel Buzzsprout-1968127 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 10:00:00 -0500 2160 Equal Exchange, agriculture, burlap & barrel, spices, herbs, culinary, fair trade, cinnamon, food 1 11 full false A Future for Black Farmers A Future for Black Farmers This month Shirley Sherrod joined us on The Stories Behind Our Food to talk about the half century she’s spent seeking justice for Black farmers. New Communities Inc. in Georgia was the first community land trust in the United States. Weathering discrimination, drought and outright sabotage, this organization has worked nonstop to build a better life for farmers. As the members of New Communities celebrate their 50th anniversary this year on land once owned by the largest slaveholder in the state, they’re looking to the future, planting new trees and bringing younger people into agriculture.

Many of the challenges discussed in this episode are specific to Black farmers due to the racism they’ve faced from their white neighbors and from government entities. But there is a lot they have in common with small-scale family farmers around the world. And as New Communities grows, Ms. Sherrod says, “we’ll bring everyone else along with us.” We feel lucky to have had this chance to host Ms. Sherrod who, in addition to her work as an organizer and as former Director of Rural Development for the state of Georgia, is a storyteller with a powerful vision.

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Kate Chess and Danielle Robidoux. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

Did you like this episode? Please help us by sharing it with one person you think would enjoy it.

]]> This month Shirley Sherrod joined us on The Stories Behind Our Food to talk about the half century she’s spent seeking justice for Black farmers. New Communities Inc. in Georgia was the first community land trust in the United States. Weathering discrimination, drought and outright sabotage, this organization has worked nonstop to build a better life for farmers. As the members of New Communities celebrate their 50th anniversary this year on land once owned by the largest slaveholder in the state, they’re looking to the future, planting new trees and bringing younger people into agriculture.

Many of the challenges discussed in this episode are specific to Black farmers due to the racism they’ve faced from their white neighbors and from government entities. But there is a lot they have in common with small-scale family farmers around the world. And as New Communities grows, Ms. Sherrod says, “we’ll bring everyone else along with us.” We feel lucky to have had this chance to host Ms. Sherrod who, in addition to her work as an organizer and as former Director of Rural Development for the state of Georgia, is a storyteller with a powerful vision.

This episode was produced by Gary Goodman with hosts Kate Chess and Danielle Robidoux. For additional information about this podcast, please visit https://blog.equalexchange.coop/category/podcast/

Did you like this episode? Please help us by sharing it with one person you think would enjoy it.

]]> Shirley Sherrod of New Communities Inc. Buzzsprout-1810237 Wed, 09 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400 2205 Equal Exchange, Shirley Sherrod, New Communities Inc., Black farmers, racism, agriculture, Georgia, pecans 1 10 full false Wine for Everyone! Wine for Everyone! It seems like there's so many choices when we're shopping for wine. It's easy to get dazzled, confused ... or intimidated. Join our guest Molly Madden, founder of RedHen Collective, who says it's time to take the elitism out of wine culture.

RedHen is a cooperative feminist wine import and distribution company that's challenging the status quo. Right now, wine industry undermines its most valuable stakeholders: farmers, women, and people of color. Learn about how RedHen Collective is forging deep and meaningful relationships and pushing back against the snobby reputation of the industry. Wine is for everyone --  boxed, canned, or bottled! 



















]]> It seems like there's so many choices when we're shopping for wine. It's easy to get dazzled, confused ... or intimidated. Join our guest Molly Madden, founder of RedHen Collective, who says it's time to take the elitism out of wine culture.

RedHen is a cooperative feminist wine import and distribution company that's challenging the status quo. Right now, wine industry undermines its most valuable stakeholders: farmers, women, and people of color. Learn about how RedHen Collective is forging deep and meaningful relationships and pushing back against the snobby reputation of the industry. Wine is for everyone --  boxed, canned, or bottled! 



















]]> Molly Madden of RedHen Collective Buzzsprout-1652257 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 15:00:00 -0400 1933 wine, cooperative, wine distribution, wine industry, hospitality industry, redhen collective 1 9 full false The Afterlife of Food The Afterlife of Food Composting seems simple. Just throw your food scraps in a bin and let them decompose, right? It turns out there’s a lot more to it. We went to an expert, Igor Kharitonenkov, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Boston-based pick-up service Bootstrap Compost, to answer all our questions about what happens to our food once we’re done with it. 

 Listen in as Igor explains the scientific difference between landfill and compost, reveals some of the most disgusting things he’s found in strangers’ buckets, and explains what it means to run a business that's a social enterprise. Bootstrap turns a city’s unwanted leftovers into food for farms and gardens. That adds up to a big impact. But by thinking more carefully about what we toss, any one of us can made a difference. 


]]> Composting seems simple. Just throw your food scraps in a bin and let them decompose, right? It turns out there’s a lot more to it. We went to an expert, Igor Kharitonenkov, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Boston-based pick-up service Bootstrap Compost, to answer all our questions about what happens to our food once we’re done with it. 

 Listen in as Igor explains the scientific difference between landfill and compost, reveals some of the most disgusting things he’s found in strangers’ buckets, and explains what it means to run a business that's a social enterprise. Bootstrap turns a city’s unwanted leftovers into food for farms and gardens. That adds up to a big impact. But by thinking more carefully about what we toss, any one of us can made a difference. 


]]> Igor Kharitonenkov of Bootstrap Compost Buzzsprout-1443430 Mon, 22 Jul 2019 13:00:00 -0400 1906 bootstrap, compost, boston, food, sustainability, bootstrap compost 1 8 full false Organizing for the Long Haul Organizing for the Long Haul Want to hear some activist war stories? After Rob Everts dropped out of college in 1975, he helped organize consumer boycotts of Gallo wine, Purina Dog Chow and Folgers coffee, building people power. Rob joins us on The Stories Behind Our Food to share some of what he’s learned in the last few decades from his mentors and from the young activists who inspire him today. 

Rob believes that there are still meaningful steps that average people can take -- beyond likes and clicks and "vote with your dollar" -- to get involved with the causes they care about. As we consider what solidarity looks like in a time of overwhelming challenges, he passes on practical tactics that stand the test of time and lets listeners know how they can involve themselves directly with Equal Exchange's organizing work.

]]> Want to hear some activist war stories? After Rob Everts dropped out of college in 1975, he helped organize consumer boycotts of Gallo wine, Purina Dog Chow and Folgers coffee, building people power. Rob joins us on The Stories Behind Our Food to share some of what he’s learned in the last few decades from his mentors and from the young activists who inspire him today. 

Rob believes that there are still meaningful steps that average people can take -- beyond likes and clicks and "vote with your dollar" -- to get involved with the causes they care about. As we consider what solidarity looks like in a time of overwhelming challenges, he passes on practical tactics that stand the test of time and lets listeners know how they can involve themselves directly with Equal Exchange's organizing work.

]]> Rob Everts of Equal Exchange Buzzsprout-1116794 Mon, 20 May 2019 16:00:00 -0400 2145 Rob Everts, Equal Exchange, organizing, activism 1 7 full false Big Doesn’t Just Happen. Big is Allowed to Happen. Big Doesn’t Just Happen. Big is Allowed to Happen. Bad news -- independent family farms are going extinct. Corporations control everything from seeds to supply and prices while chipping away at regulations that inform and protect consumers. It has left the independent food economy especially farmers, devoid of oxygen. 

How can we change the rules of the game? In this episode, join Joe Maxwell, executive director of the Organization for Competitive Markets as he explains how Big Food hurts American farmers, workers, and shoppers. We discuss how Joe’s history as a hog farmer and legislator has shaped his work in the food system. Learn about how Equal Exchange is working with OCM on a bill to support the independent food economy and how you can get involved, too.



]]> Bad news -- independent family farms are going extinct. Corporations control everything from seeds to supply and prices while chipping away at regulations that inform and protect consumers. It has left the independent food economy especially farmers, devoid of oxygen. 

How can we change the rules of the game? In this episode, join Joe Maxwell, executive director of the Organization for Competitive Markets as he explains how Big Food hurts American farmers, workers, and shoppers. We discuss how Joe’s history as a hog farmer and legislator has shaped his work in the food system. Learn about how Equal Exchange is working with OCM on a bill to support the independent food economy and how you can get involved, too.



]]> Joe Maxwell of the Organization for Competitive Markets Buzzsprout-1015977 Fri, 29 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400 2079 OCM, Joe Maxwell, 1 6 full false Total Eclipse of the Heart Total Eclipse of the Heart Lots of us like to fantasize about what a career in chocolate might be like. In this episode, Dary Goodrich gets real with us about his job as Chocolate Products Manager. Learn about the process for developing delicious new bars, like the intense 92% cacao Total Eclipse Dark Chocolate, and about the challenge of sourcing cacao from small-scale farmers in West Africa for the first time.

]]> Lots of us like to fantasize about what a career in chocolate might be like. In this episode, Dary Goodrich gets real with us about his job as Chocolate Products Manager. Learn about the process for developing delicious new bars, like the intense 92% cacao Total Eclipse Dark Chocolate, and about the challenge of sourcing cacao from small-scale farmers in West Africa for the first time.

]]> Dary Goodrich of Equal Exchange Buzzsprout-1000119 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400 1950 cocoa, cacao, small farmers, Equal Exchange, chocolate, fair trade, chocolate tasting, chocolate industry, togo, west africa 1 5 full false Farmers Sharing Knowledge for Better Chocolate -- and Better Outcomes Farmers Sharing Knowledge for Better Chocolate -- and Better Outcomes Cristina Liberati's job is to support farmers who are working to improve their crops and make their co-ops as stable as possible. She visits farmer cooperatives in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, coordinating projects funded by the US Agency for International Development. We talked with Cristina about what her routine is like on the day-to-day, how a co-op business can be kind of like a family, and how farmers can learn from each other!

]]> Cristina Liberati's job is to support farmers who are working to improve their crops and make their co-ops as stable as possible. She visits farmer cooperatives in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, coordinating projects funded by the US Agency for International Development. We talked with Cristina about what her routine is like on the day-to-day, how a co-op business can be kind of like a family, and how farmers can learn from each other!

]]> Cristina Liberati of USAID Buzzsprout-962976 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500 1990 food, chocolate, farming, fairtrade, peru 1 4 full false Conflict, Coffee Farmers, and the Nobel Peace Prize Conflict, Coffee Farmers, and the Nobel Peace Prize In conflict zones around the world, sexual violence is a tool of power and intimidation. 2018 Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder of the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, works tirelessly for the physical and emotional healing of survivors. But what does this have to do with food? And how can people in the US help? In this episode, Beth Ann Caspersen provides an overview of decades of conflict in the DRC, explains how the Congo Coffee Project helps survivors of rape and violence move on with their lives, and provides ways for listeners to get involved.

]]> In conflict zones around the world, sexual violence is a tool of power and intimidation. 2018 Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder of the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, works tirelessly for the physical and emotional healing of survivors. But what does this have to do with food? And how can people in the US help? In this episode, Beth Ann Caspersen provides an overview of decades of conflict in the DRC, explains how the Congo Coffee Project helps survivors of rape and violence move on with their lives, and provides ways for listeners to get involved.

]]> Beth Ann Caspersen of the Congo Coffee Project Buzzsprout-882659 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:00:00 -0500 2040 congo coffee project, Beth Ann Caspersen, Denis Mukwege, Democratic Republic of Congo, coffee 1 3 full false Why Does Good Food Sell Out? Why Does Good Food Sell Out? You get excited about a cool new food company that offers ethical and healthy products. But the next thing you know, they’re out of business – or worse, they’ve been bought up by a giant global conglomerate that doesn’t share your values. If you’ve wondered why this happens again and again, Daniel Fireside can answer your questions. In this episode, Daniel explains how companies can be set up to avoid this trap – and how ethical investment can help.

]]> You get excited about a cool new food company that offers ethical and healthy products. But the next thing you know, they’re out of business – or worse, they’ve been bought up by a giant global conglomerate that doesn’t share your values. If you’ve wondered why this happens again and again, Daniel Fireside can answer your questions. In this episode, Daniel explains how companies can be set up to avoid this trap – and how ethical investment can help.

]]> Dan Fireside of Equal Exchange Buzzsprout-872635 Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:00:00 -0500 2292 food, sell-out, investment 1 2 full false Back to the Food Co-op Back to the Food Co-op In the 1970s, at the dawn of the natural foods movement, Americans were moving from Jello molds and canned vegetables to raw ginger and bulk whole grains. Co-op grocery stores made these new foods accessible -- and their democratic organization structure empowered consumers. In the first-ever 30 minute episode of our storytelling podcast, Susan Sklar takes us back to those days, and shows us how we’ve come full circle.

]]> In the 1970s, at the dawn of the natural foods movement, Americans were moving from Jello molds and canned vegetables to raw ginger and bulk whole grains. Co-op grocery stores made these new foods accessible -- and their democratic organization structure empowered consumers. In the first-ever 30 minute episode of our storytelling podcast, Susan Sklar takes us back to those days, and shows us how we’ve come full circle.

]]> Susan Sklar of Equal Exchange Buzzsprout-836986 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0400 1684 co-op, food 1 1 full false