Food Sleuth Radio

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/

Did you know that sewage sludge or biosolids when applied to farmland can contaminate soil, water and food with PFAS? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Bill Pluecker, Maine House of Representatives, farmer and Public Policy organizer for the Main Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. PFAS are a class of toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” Representative Pluecker will explain the impact of PFAS contamination on Maine farmers, responsible parties, ways to prevent further contamination and potential farmer compensation. Related Websites: https://barnraisingmedia.com/the-farm-bill-must-support-farmers-affected-by-pfas-contaminated-sewage-sludge/ https://civileats.com/2024/12/18/why-are-pesticide-companies-fighting-state-laws-to-address-pfas/ https://pfasproject.com/ www.mofga.org

Did you know that specific nutrients can help aid our immune system in preventing and treating the symptoms of cold, flu and Covid 19? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jacob Mey, PhD, RD, Registered Dietitian and nutrition researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, as they delve into the best diet and nutrition approaches to support our immune system through the cold and flu season and beyond. For resources from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center see: https://www.pbrc.edu/training-and-education/community-health-resources/ Related Websites: The Role of Nutrition in Mitigating the Effects of COVID-19 from Infection through PASC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9961621/#B72-nutrients-15-00866 Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunction-HealthProfessional/ Too much zinc and copper deficiency: https://thewaitingroom.karger.com/knowledge-transfer/zinc-oversupplementation-and-copper-deficiency/ Emerging Nutrition Approaches to Support the Mind and Muscle for Healthy Aging: file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/rpn.2204022.pdf

Did you know that neonicotinoids are among the most ecologically destructive pesticides we’ve seen since DDT? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Dan Raichel, J.D., Executive Director of the Pollinators and Pesticides Initiative at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Raichel discusses the widespread use of, and harm from, neonicotinoid use in agriculture, lawns and gardens, and New York state’s Birds and Bees Protection Act. Learn how “neonics,” the widely used neurotoxic class of pesticides, cause harm to bees, pollinators, birds, soil microbes, fish, and mammals including humans. Related Websites: https://www.nrdc.org/bio/daniel-raichel/new-york-enacts-nation-leading-law-protect-bees-birds-and-people www.nrdc.org Saw Mill River Audubon presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI9IZtMYQXw

Did you know that 1 in 3 Americans have pre-diabetes? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, CPT, Registered Dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified personal trainer. Palinski-Wade discusses the role of sleep, stress and key nutrients to control blood glucose and reduce belly fat. Related Websites: www.erinpalinski.com https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/communication-resources/1-in-3-americans.html

Did you know that dieting is one of the greatest contributors to weight gain? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Supatra Tovar, Ph.D., RD, clinical psychologist, Registered Dietitian and author of Deprogram Diet Culture: Rethink your relationship with food, heal your mind and live a diet-free life. Tovar explains how and why diets are doomed to fail and ways we can harness the power of our thoughts to help achieve a healthful weight. Related Websites: www.drsupatratovar.com (http://www.drsupatratovar.com/) www.anew-insight.com (http://www.anew-insight.com/)