Global Food

OUR MISSION

Connecting you with our food system and its value in our daily lives — from dirt to dinner.

Global Food

Evaluating the role and interests of the U.S. and agriculture in the global food system and how food trade flows around the world

Russian Wheat & Global Food Security

Despite its war on Ukraine, Russian wheat production has demonstrated a surprising rebound from trade disruptions. But is that enough to surmount its perilous political status?

Food Security, Food Trade

Our Daily Bread: Uncertainty in Global Wheat Markets

The world needs wheat for bread, a daily fixture in households across the globe. As significant exporters of this "staple of life", Russia's war on Ukraine affects the world’s wheat supply. Which countries, if any, can step up to fill in the gap...and at what price?

Food Security, Food Trade

The World of Wheat

Wheat is one of the oldest and most important grain crops in the world, grown in 42 U.S. states and 80 countries around the globe. And its value in feeding a growing global population is incalculable.

Food Production

Digging into GMOs: Mintel's Megan Stanton

Dirt to Dinner talked with Megan Stanton of Mintel's Food & Drink division to hear why consumer perceptions on GMOs are changing.

Food Regulations & Policy

A new take on the old shell game

Grab a handful of dry roasted peanuts and join Dirt to Dinner’s Digging In for a conversation with Richard Owen, President & CEO of the American Peanut Council.

Food Production, Food Security

China's Plight with Food Independence

Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambition to reshape global world order and replace the U.S. as global economic and military leader misses one key element: China's dependence on capitalist and democratic nations for food security.

Food Security, Food Trade

Digging In: Droughts Drive Smart Water Use

We talk with Iowa farmer Curt Mether and Farm Journal’s Nate Birt on how recurrent droughts have driven renewed attention to smart water use and how these farmers carefully prepare.

Climate Change, Soil and Crop Management

Garland's Letter from Atlanta

Ever wonder what farmers do when they aren’t planting, tending or harvesting their crops? D2D wanted to find out, so we attended a winter conference to learn a few new things. And pick up a side of gratitude just in time for the holidays, too.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Ukraine Conflict Tops 2022's Ag Headlines

The resulting disruption ripples across every aspect of agriculture, magnifying the importance of global interdependence. We'll also highlight other top stories and questions as we move into 2023. Buckle up.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

Digging In: Mark McCall, iSelectFund

Lucy talks with Mark McCall, Managing Director at iSelectFund, a venture capital fund that creates strategic partnerships to transform our global food system for a growing population, all while improving human health. No small feat, indeed.

Food Technology

A Roadmap to Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Inflation has had a major impact on food prices. And, making it worse, ongoing supply chain strains have led to empty shelves at our supermarket. What does this mean for our Thanksgiving grocery lists? And how will this affect our wallets? Let us help you navigate!

Food Production, Food Trade

5 Best Shopping Strategies for Thanksgiving

Challenges in our global food system have caused inflationary food prices, empty grocery shelves, and supply chain problems. So, how can we shop for Thanksgiving to get everything we need while also saving money? Check out our 5 best tips!

Lost at Sea: Ukraine Struggles to Revive Ag Sector

Uncertainties over Ukraine's ability to export ag products have resurfaced following news of Putin’s decision to withdraw from an international agreement. Trade manages to continue, but once again the stability of the global food system has been called into serious question.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Trade

5 Things You Don't Need to Worry About this Holiday Season

The holidays are a busy time for all of us, but there are some things we shouldn’t be concerned about! Find out what they are here!

Bobo's Global Balancing Act at TNC

We're talking with Jack Bobo, TNC's Food & Water Policy Director, who works with global food producers and conservation organizations to find solutions for mutual growth. Listen in to hear how small changes can have rippling global effects.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

Feeding the World while Healing the Planet

The Nature Conservancy's Global Regenerative Food Systems Director, Saswati Bora, provides a new way of thinking about solving humanitarian, climate and biodiversity crises with the introduction of Foodscapes.

Food Production, Food Security

Can food packaging & global health coexist?

Every day, plastic’s value shines through by keeping our global food system safer while reducing transport costs and decreasing food waste. But is it too late to correct unrecycled waste’s disastrous trail across the globe?

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Plastic food packaging: opportunity or lost cause?

Plastic packaging has indisputably revolutionized our global food system, keeping foods safer as it moves across the globe with fewer transport needs and less fuel...but at a steep environmental price. Is there any hope?

Food Production, Food Safety

Anybody Want a Job in Ag?

Finding the workers needed to make our modern food system function is a major challenge across our supply chain. And now we have a perfect storm of labor issues affecting us all.

Agricultural Labor, Food Production

The Ins & Outs of Climate-Conscious Eating

Think you know what climate-conscious eating looks like? Think again. Its complexities extend far and wide, from effects on soil, water use, and farming practices, to just name a few...

Climate Change, Soil and Crop Management

Digging In with Dr. Michael Swanson

Noticed some dramatic increases with your food budget? Same here. So D2D talked with Dr. Michael Swanson, Chief Ag Economist at Wells Fargo, to look beyond the bill at the checkout counter to see the bigger picture of our food system right now.

Fertilizer Restrictions' Unintended Consequences

Want to cut greenhouse gases? Mandate less fertilizer use...right? Farmers and others ask if we know what that really means for our food security. Beware the perils of unintended consequences.

Food Regulations & Policy, Soil and Crop Management

Digging in with Dr. Ray Goldberg

We're excited to speak with Dr. Goldberg, who has spent 72 years of his career thinking about the global food system. Having graduated from Harvard right after WWII, the 'father of agribusiness' has seen everything from the 1970s grain deal to the 2008 commodity crisis to the Russian invasion of today.

Science or Suspicion: Which Dictates Gene Editing's Future?

The British government’s proposed regulations governing gene editing have reignited the simmering debate. But while talks rage on, the world’s food system still waits and waits.

Food Technology, Future of Food

The Rise of Alternative Proteins

The world of protein is accelerating. Now, everything that can be made from a plant or animal can now be made in a lab using fermentation, bioreactors, and plant engineering. But what do consumers think about these new proteins? And how will it shape the future of food?

Food Production, Food Technology, Future of Food

How is Salt Made?

Salt is a vital component in the functioning of our bodies and it boasts over 14,000 known uses. Where does it all come from?

Food Ingredients, Food Production

Your Views on Food Information Credibility

Results are in for our food information credibility survey. With your input, we’ll make our site the most credible and trusted source of information about food and our food system available anywhere.

Food Production

Can genetically engineered salmon save the world?

AquaBounty is known for its development of the first genetically engineered salmon. Now that the AquAdvantage Salmon has finally hit the market, we want to see where they are now.

Food Production, Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

Is Ag the Key to Future U.S.-China Relations?

Tariffs on Chinese goods have become the quiet political rage in Washington. But can a successful trade relationship in agriculture and food products help teach us another way of thinking about what’s best for both countries?

Food Regulations & Policy

Will more ethanol fight inflation...or fuel it?

Prices for gasoline, food and other staples continue to rise and rise. The latest initiative is to increase the amount of ethanol allowed in our gas tanks. But will this temper gas prices? Or just increase food prices for consumers?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade

Goodbye “GMO”, Hello “Bioengineered”

Have you seen the new GMO labels? As of January 1st, the USDA requires food companies to label products as “bioengineered” if any ingredients are genetically modified. What will this mean for GMOs and consumer acceptance?

Food Regulations & Policy, Health

Global Trade Can't Happen without Ocean Freight

Ocean transportation offers exceptional advantages in cost, efficiency and environmental concerns. But keeping the ships sailing smoothly across busy and sometimes troubled seas takes a lot of effort – in ways we might not always recognize.

Food Trade

Ukraine Conflict Clouds Outlook for Global Food System

Ukrainians are needlessly suffering from this invasion. But tragically, more suffering will follow as Putin’s aggression triggers a disrupted food system, higher food costs and, even worse, food insecurity for our most vulnerable.

Food Security

Railroads Drive Lower Costs, Fewer Emissions

Each year, railroads provide the enormous carrying capacity needed to efficiently move billions of tons of everyday products...all while releasing fewer emissions.

Food Trade

Energy, Food Costs: The Unexpected Pain of Ukraine Invasion

While it is uncertain whether Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have serious immediate consequences for U.S. consumers, it could have profound longer-term implications for food costs, the global supply chain and trading system that makes our modern lifestyle possible.

Food Security, Food Trade

Why Are Shelves Empty? Ask A Trucker

The effects of the pandemic linger across all industries, but perhaps most with transportation. Difficulties facing trucking show its rippling effects throughout the supply chain. Can anything be done to correct its course?

Food Production, Food Trade

Ukraine: Quiet Pawn in Quest for Food Security

Current tensions can be traced to its geography, history, and geopolitics. And, surprising to some, its role as a major player in the global food system.

Food Security, Food Trade

5 Big Questions for 2022

Where are we headed in 2022 when it comes to food and agriculture? Here are some of the top questions we have.

We've got questions for you, 2022...

Governments and companies are changing the way we address food security, the environment, and consumer health. At D2D, we have covered some of these subjects previously but are now looking harder at how the future will be shaped by those who grow, trade, process, and consume food.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Supply Chain, Inflation & Climate Change

We're taking a moment to look back at some of the big issues and news items in 2021 to set the stage for what should be another year of change.

Climate Change, Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

How safe is our food from cyberattacks?

Many of us recently learned that our food system is vulnerable to cyberattacks, just like any other business. Despite these events, industry experts find new ways to keep our food safe and supply chain constantly in motion to feed the world. Here's what's being done now...

Food Safety, Food Technology

5 Reasons the Holidays Cost More This Year

Are you prepared to pay more for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner? There’s no way to avoid it, but click here to find out why it’s happening.

Investing in Food for Health @ Crusonia Forum

Carter Williams, CEO of iSelectFund, addressed the need for disruption in our food system at last month's Crusonia Forum in Brooklyn. The event brought together investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to make lasting change.

Food Technology, Future of Food

Want to Save the Planet? 'Break Boundaries' at Home

Netflix documentary, Breaking Boundaries, has been criticized as another over-the-top and scary climate change film. But at its core, the message is simple – 'Be the Earth's Conscience.' But what does that mean, and how can I personally make a difference?

Climate Change, Conservation

The Labor Shortage: Lack of Workers or Lack of Willing Workers?

Labor shortages plague every sector of our current economy, leading to significant supply chain issues affecting everyday products. With available ag jobs growing, why is this happening? And how will we be affected?

Food Production

21st Century Fermentation: Disrupting More Than Our Food

Imagine if we could redesign nature by making a house out of mushrooms, growing seafood in a lab, or even combatting cancer using targeted genes from broccoli. These possibilities exist with innovations in synthetic biology.

Food Technology

What do probiotics have to do with it? Why soil health matters.

TNC's Renée Vassilos details how soil microbiomes drive healthy environmental ecosystems to increase productivity and profitability. Here are five innovative companies leading the way in this field...

Agricultural Technology, Food Production

Can Rural America Lead in AgTech?

Lucy spoke to Pennsylvanian business leaders and politicians about rural America leading the way for the future of agricultural innovations. Here is her speech...

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Technology

Keeping Score on Biden's Ag Initiatives

Six months into the Biden Administration, Washington claims a mixed scorecard of fulfilling the promises made during the 2020 campaign. Let’s take a look at some of the food and ag-related hits and misses recorded so far.

Food Regulations & Policy

5 Ways to Know if Your Seafood is Sustainable

Have you seen Netflix’s ‘Seaspiracy?’ It made us wonder if we can trust our seafood. Good news is we can – it just made take a little bit more work.

5 Things ‘Seaspiracy’ taught me about Seafood

Aside from its distorted facts and questionable agenda, the Netflix film, 'Seaspiracy', smartly spotlights glaring issues in the sustainable seafood industry. However, options exist that support a healthy seafood system -- we just need to ask the right questions.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Drought: The “Hidden Global Crisis”

The United Nations recently called drought “a hidden global crisis”. What causes drought, and what can we do about it? And should we worry about its effects on our food supply?

Climate Change, Food Security

Grilling Season: Food Safety Best Practices

Before you fire up the grill, let’s review safe food storage, handling, and preparation to help you protect yourself, your families, and your guests from food-borne illnesses.

Food Safety

The Protein Blues: Confessions of a Confirmed Carnivore

Join Garland's journey as he forages through the implications -- and inconveniences -- of all the modern-day protein options.

Food Production, Food Technology

Food Transparency Starts With Farming’s Digital Transition

A lack of transparency into food production is one of the fastest-rising concerns among U.S. consumers. But building out the surprisingly complex web of information from the grocery store shelf to farmgate is complicated...at best. Can it be done?

Agricultural Technology, Food Technology

Why are my groceries so expensive right now?

We’re seeing the largest increases in inflation in years. It’s happening across the board in apparel, vehicles, housing, insurance, recreation - you name it. And, needless to say, our food supply isn't immune to these increases, either...

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

Cyberattack at JBS: Understanding Meat Technology

Did the ransomware attack on the JBS meat-processing company affect food safety and its supply chain? Many of us think that cowboys herd cattle into a warehouse and then out pops our packages of meat. But it's far more complicated than that...

Food Technology

5 Facts about Animal Antibiotics

Should we avoid animal products at the grocery store that don’t have the “antibiotic-free” sticker? Many people think so, but this label may be more marketing than it is factual.

Are Farmer Protests in India a Cautionary Tale for Americans?

India aims to provide subsidies for farm producers while maintaining artificially low food prices, but it's created an explosive situation. It's a cautionary tale for all food systems to keep policy and economics aligned.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

5 Ways Cows Can Help the Environment

Epicurious recently announced they would no longer post recipes with beef because of cattle’s role in climate change. What they didn’t take into account is that cows can actually play a positive role in climate change!

Why Do We Make Bad Food Choices?

Before reading Jack Bobo's new book, I assumed I was making good choices to stay healthy. But after reading "Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices", I questioned everything. Are social media and grocery store marketing tactics hijacking my decision-making? Apparently so...

Food Production, Health

5 Differences Between GMO and CRISPR

GMO and CRISPR technologies help farmers grow food with fewer pesticides, less water, and less impact on the environment. But, there are differences between the two. Do you know what they are?

Food Site Epicurious Cuts Beef Recipes: A Short-Sighted Decision

Epicurious.com cut its beef recipes because of its effect on global warming. They claim to be "pro-planet” with this move, but aren’t we all? Especially the ranchers and farmers proactively finding ways to further reduce methane output?

Climate Change, Soil and Crop Management

Saving Our Soil...One Billion Microbes at a Time

Despite their meager size, soil microbes have a significant impact on the health of plants, animals, and our planet. Innovative microbial technologies have been found to increase soil fertility and plant health, as well as understanding our own needs and those of the Earth's.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

Climate-Smart Farming Paves the Way Toward Carbon Negative

AgMission, a partnership among two farm-related organizations, has the goal to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and even make farming carbon-negative. And, in the process, they might also help us find products promoting sustainability.

Climate Change, Soil and Crop Management

Covid's Effect on New Tech in Our Food System

Innovations in e-grocery services have made our lives easier, safer, and more efficient, but have also permanently impacted our food supply chains. How can these emerging technologies help transform our new food system?

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

5 Things to Know About AquAdvantage Salmon

AquAdvantage Salmon, created by AquaBounty, is the first genetically-modified salmon approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here is what we need to know about this GM salmon.

What Do the Suez Canal and Covid Have in Common?

More than you'd think. The blockage may be over, but the after-effects will linger. As we saw during Covid, significant disruption to the global supply chain extends all the way to consumers. So what should we prepare for?

Food Trade

EWG's “Dirty” Little Secret: There’s No Science Behind It

Lucy Stitzer, D2D's founder, believes we should have a choice on whether to buy organic or conventional produce - but wants science to drive the decision, not fear...

Food Safety, Health

Don’t Look Now, But They’re Gaining on Us

U.S. ag is one of the most productive, efficient, and well-developed systems on the planet. But Brazil and Argentina have quickly and impressively developed complex global food & ag systems. What does this mean for us?

Food Production, Food Trade

5 Ag Priorities of the Biden Administration

With a new administration in office, we should expect to see a different set of priorities for food and agriculture. What should consumers and farmers anticipate going forward? Here are 5 things we found.

What is the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda?

Congress and the new Biden Administration are targeting social issues and climate change, but Covid, the farm economy, and trade relations with China must remain front and center. With all of these critical issues in the balance, what ag policy changes can we expect?

Climate Change, Food Regulations & Policy

Digging into the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda

The 2020 elections ushered in a new era of leadership – and a different set of priorities – for food and agriculture. Expect to see a much more aggressive focus on social issues and climate change from both Congress and the new Biden Administration. While Covid, the farm economy, and trade relations with China also will remain front and center on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, don’t look for radical change in agricultural policy that will substantively change the food picture for American consumers or foreign customers.

Food Regulations & Policy

Blue Zones: Long & Healthy Living

We all want to live long, healthy, happy lives…but how? “Blue Zones” are regions where populations live longer and healthier than the rest of the world. So what can we learn from them to improve our health?

Food Regulations & Policy, Health

5 Benefits of GMOs

GMOs are one of the most controversial topics in mainstream culture, even though they are proven to have many benefits for our farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Transparency in the Produce Aisle

Few technologies can transform the relationship between growers and consumers like the promise of transparency. And with Covid, many of us demand even greater food safety assurances. How are growers, distributors, processors, and grocery stores implementing transparency along the way?

Food Safety, Food Technology

Will New Wheat and Barley Genomes Help Feed the World?

Scientists have discovered a new genetic variation in both barley and wheat through genetic sequencing. This global effort to breed higher-yielding crops can help feed a growing population.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Future of Food

Meeting Demand: A New Type of Salmon

There's a new breed of salmon that requires less food and water, takes less time to grow, and supports the rural American economy all while having the same health benefits as farmed or wild-caught salmon. Will you buy it?

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Behind the Scenes with a Local Beef Farmer

Dave and Holly Albert, owners of Misty Mountain Farms, raise cattle for their local Pennsylvanian market. Their operation runs on a strong value system, adherence to conservation, continued profitability, and consumer relationships.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

5 Considerations for Your Thanksgiving Turkey

When Covid swept through our nation, there were periods of time where we couldn’t always find red meat, milk, and toilet paper. With Thanksgiving so close, we wanted to let you know to expect when buying your Thanksgiving turkey this year.

Food Security

Sustainable Seafood & Healthier Oceans

Did you know that every time you eat fish, it can directly impact our oceans? Wild-caught seafood is in high demand, but we can't sacrifice the health of aquatic life. So how can we make better choices for all when seafood shopping?

Food Production, Food Security

Will We Still Have A Thanksgiving Turkey This Year?

Covid cases are on the rise again as we approach the holiday season, and we're wondering what that means for our Thanksgiving dinner....will there be enough turkeys for everyone who wants one?

Food Production

5 Top Issues Important to Farmers

We asked hundreds of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to tell us their thoughts on the 2020 presidential election. Here are the 5 issues they identified as most important to farmers in America.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade

Farmer & Rancher Election Survey Results

D2D set out with a goal to better understand the issues affecting American farmers - their concerns, hopes, and thoughts about the next four years. Here are our results...

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Trump vs. Biden: Comparing Ag Platforms

Election Day is almost here. So where do Trump and Biden stand on American food and agriculture? We compare the candidates' views on the major issues affecting farmers and ranchers today.

Agricultural Labor, Conservation, Food Regulations & Policy

Chlorinated Chicken: Public Health or Politics?

Trade talks between the U.S. and the U.K. have centered on a food safety practice for poultry products that positions science against good food policy. So, at what point should science govern our food supply?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade

How COVID Affects Global GM Crops

COVID-19 has ramped up vaccine production using genetic modification technologies, but ag has seen the opposite effect on GM approval for crops. And no one's been hit harder than farmers in developing countries where significant progress came to a screeching halt.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

Around the World at My Local Restaurant

Whoa - I traveled much farther than down the block for this delicious meal...

Food Trade

Learning to live with - or without - Ethanol Click for poll results!

What is ethanol, and why is it such a big deal? And should we act to preserve an established program important to farmers, rural America and environmentalists, or look for other ways that make better economic sense?

Food Regulations & Policy

Making the Case for Sustainable Aquaculture

More than half the fish we eat comes from fish farms. But some countries' farms operate with little to no health or safety standards and zero traceability. With our rising need for fish, are we willing to pay more for high quality and transparent aquaculture production?

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Safety

5G’s Revolution: Will Ag be Ready?

5G - the new frontier in technology. For ag, 5G will result in a smarter, more efficient, and more transparent supply chain. So what are some of the technologies that will benefit? And will the broadband infrastructure in rural farmland areas be ready for the leap?

Agricultural Technology, Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

How to Lend Your Support During COVID

Looking for meaningful ways to help those affected by the pandemic? Check out our curated list of relief funds and volunteer programs, as well as small gestures while you shop, dine, and post on social media that go a surprisingly long way.

Food Security

China Assumes Central Role in Global Trade Picture

With the U.S.-China relationship fraught with geopolitical issues, how will our supply-demand connection affect food security?

Food Trade

FarmLink: Connecting Food Waste to Food Security

FarmLink, a student-run organization connecting food banks to food producers, is stepping in to manage food waste spawning from COVID to provide fresh food to those who need it most.

Food Security

The Future of Food Packaging

Trends like eliminating plastic straws feel like a big leap in bettering our world, but to be effective, we need to address the bigger picture of packaging. So, how do we continue to find compelling ways to protect our environment, eliminate food waste, and effectively package our food?

Food Production, Future of Food

Combating Desertification & Land Degradation

On June 17th of each year, people concerned about the scourge of desertification, land degradation, and drought work to raise awareness and promote solutions to these important issues. Think this day may not pertain to you? Think again...

Climate Change, Soil and Crop Management

Demanding Equality: Women Farmers in Africa

These women farmers in Africa not only challenge the status quo, but have dramatically improved their local economies...and beyond.

Agricultural Labor, Food Security, Soil and Crop Management

Dairy: An Industry in Quiet Turmoil

Dairy has been hit hard recently, but the truth is that the U.S. dairy sector has had problems long before COVID. The pandemic has only made things worse. A lot worse...

Food Production

Why produce aisles look so barren right now…

We see the lack of fresh fruits and veggies in our supermarkets, but we hear on the news about produce wasting away in the fields. How is this happening? And will it get better?

Food Production, Food Security

The Meat Industry & Shifting Consumer Behavior

With fluctuating meat prices affecting consumer demand, will we have enough meat to feed our families? And at prices we can afford?

Food Production, Food Security

Where is our Food?!

It’s enough to make anyone concerned. Maybe even a bit worried. What is happening to our food supply during the pandemic?

Food Production, Food Security

What's happening at our local grocers during COVID-19?

We have a bunch of questions about changes in product demand, managing supplier channels, and maintaining employee safety during this fragile time. So we turned to a local Midwest grocer for their insights...

Food Production, Food Safety

Bettering Farms in Zimbabwe...and Beyond

Nyasha Mudukuti of Cornell's Alliance for Science reveals the challenges facing her family's farm in Zimbabwe, and how her plight to save African smallholder farms hangs on educating farmers about ag biotechnology.

Agricultural Technology, Food Security

Dirty Tactics from EWG’s Dirty Dozen

EWG recently released its annual “Dirty Dozen” produce list, which stokes fears of eating produce with pesticide residues...as if we don't already have enough to fear with COVID. But is EWG right? Or do the benefits of eating produce to maintain our health far outweigh these concerns?

Food Safety, Health, Soil and Crop Management

A Virtual Happy Hour with Vegan Wine

With social distancing, we're not at the mercy of a small wine list at a local pub. So should we start our virtual happy hour with something vegan? But aren't grapes an inherently vegan product? Animal products have a role in wine production, and vegan consumers should be aware.

Food Ingredients, Food Production

Jack Bobo: How We Choose Our Food

Especially during chaotic times like this, we rely on Jack Bobo's insights into our behaviors as food consumers to educate us and help us make better decisions. While we search our supermarket for a new "superfood" to cure us or a "natural" product to make us feel healthier, Jack is searching for the answers to why our brains want us to behave this way and what we can do to better evaluate our purchasing decisions.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production

Why are we buying so much toilet paper?!

We've all witnessed panic-buying in the grocery aisles and maybe did some ourselves. The empty shelves reveal how we try to find control as coronavirus fears grow more rampant. But how do we control our fears and our carts?

Food Security, Health

Coronavirus and Our Food: Should We Be Scared?

As coronavirus COVID-19 spreads globally, how concerned should we be for our safety? And should we fear transmission of the virus via our food, especially among imported products?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety

Public Opinion: A Misguided Discussion on GMOs

It started as pleasantries in a small-town parking lot, but when GMOs came up, the conversation took a turn for the worse. What happens next is a clash between science, opinion, and its effect on our food system.

Food Technology

Can Technology Save Urban Farming?

With a growing population and demand for sustainability, innovations in ag are more crucial than ever. Let’s see how pioneers in indoor ag are developing technologies that could prove impactful for our growing needs.

Food Production, Food Technology, Future of Food, Soil and Crop Management

Holy Cow! What happened to Dean Foods & Borden?

The dairy downturn has now gone from family farm to corporate headquarters. The Dean Foods and Borden Dairy bankruptcy filings can teach valuable lessons to the food sector, our growing consumer trends and the industry at large.

Food Production

D2D's "Nice List" for the Holidays

Here's our "nice list" of helpful posts to keep you healthy, happy and in-the-know through the holidays and into the new year. Everything from delicious, low sugar recipes to global trade and alternative proteins, we've got you covered!

Food Regulations & Policy, Health, Soil and Crop Management

2 Trade Deals and Plant Food in a Pear Tree: Top News in 2019

2019 has been a wild ride! News about our food and how we get it – from dirt to dinner – have had us on the edge of our seats...

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade, Soil and Crop Management

5 Surprising Facts about Our Organic Foods

Why do we all have a different definition for organic foods? Is it really pesticide-free? Hormone-free? Grown locally? We took a look at how the USDA monitors organic products and what the term really means.

Food Regulations & Policy

Coffee: Uniting Our Worlds

Our morning brew is so much more than just another beverage! Each cup connects us with farmers in the rainforests and mountains, highlighting the importance of sustainable farming. To bring our cup of joe to life, we introduce sustainability-rated Colombian coffee producer, Finca El Ocaso.

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Trade

The Dirt to Dinner Team: Giving Thanks

The D2D Team has a lot to feel grateful for this holiday season! Here are a few things that we'll be giving thanks to this year as we celebrate with our family and friends.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Are GMOs Bad for the Environment?

On the contrary. In fact, here's a different way to spell the word green: GE – Genetic Engineering. GE technology includes genetically modified organisms, which some critics claim harm the environment. But in reality, GMOs help farmers use pesticides responsibly, conserve water and increase soil health while increasing their crop yield.

Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

The African Swine Fever Epidemic: Are We at Risk?

Many of us are unaware of issues affecting our food supply. But what if the pork products we place in our grocery carts became harder to find? The devastating disease, African Swine Fever, has made this a potential reality in Asia.

Food Safety, Food Trade

The Case for New Breeding Technologies

With the global population to top 9 billion and climate change reducing crop yields by 25-30% by 2050, how will we keep everyone fed? Technological innovations, such as gene editing and synthetic biology, offer tools to meet the demand — if they are allowed to move forward.

Food Security, Food Technology

Solein: A Space-Age Protein

We’ve heard of animal-based, plant-based and cell-based proteins, but how about air-based proteins? Solar Foods is reversing carbon emissions by pioneering a protein with carbon dioxide and renewable electricity, a feat with potential to address sustainability and world hunger. But how feasible is this protein?

Food Security, Food Technology

How Blockchain is Disrupting the Ag Supply Chain

There is no doubt the ag industry needs a way to accurately and securely track and monitor its entire supply chain, and it needs to be scalable to handle the needs of one of the largest logistical operations in the world - a feat not for the faint of heart. Enter Blockchain.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Technology

Back to Business: D2D News Recap

With summer winding down and kids returning to school, it’s time once again to catch up on some food & ag news from around the world. It’s been a busy time, with lots of news we at Dirt-to-Dinner found to be important, interesting, sometimes outrageous and occasionally funny. Here it is, in case you missed it...

Climate Change, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security, Food Trade

Packing Social Concerns in the Lunchbox

As a scientist and mom of three young kids, back to school to Dr. Evanega means preparing her kids' lunches with their tastes - and global considerations - in mind.

Agricultural Technology, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Technology

What Really Drives the Price of Our Food?

Many factors affect the price of the food we place in our grocery carts each week. How do farmers and food manufacturers price their goods to maintain a smooth and steady delivery of the food we need at a price buyers are willing to pay?

Food Trade

Can I Get Sick from Animals Fed GMOs?

If I eat meat or dairy and those animals have eaten GMO corn or soybeans, am I ingesting GMOs, too? Will I get sick? And what about the animals...is GMO feed harmful to them?

Food Safety, Health

What Are Dead Zones…and is Ag to Blame?

Each year, “dead zones” – large bodies of water lacking the oxygen needed to support aquatic life - appear all around the world. This summer’s flooding in the Midwest has made it worse. How does this happen? And what can we do?

Climate Change, Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

What Does the Market Hold for Alternative Proteins?

You may have noticed that popular restaurants now have plant-based protein items and food companies are creating new meat-like products. How have consumer demands changed for these alternative protein sources? And where is the industry going?

Food Technology

Can GMOs Make Me Sick?

Concerned if GMOs are harmful to your health? We dug into exactly what happens in our bodies when we eat food that has been grown with a GMO.

Agricultural Technology, Food Safety, Health

Don’t Be Fooled by Food Labels

There are so many food labels today: Organic, Grassfed, No Hormones or Antibiotics added, Non-GMO, Certified Humane…the list goes on. D2D's here to help you understand them and to know when you’re being fooled!

Food Ingredients, Food Regulations & Policy

Pet Food for Thought

The FDA recently stated that several specialty dog food formulations have led to canine heart disease. With so many food choices today, what should we feed our pets?

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health

Organic Farming & Gene Editing: Oxymoron or Tool for Sustainable Ag?

Agricultural Technology, Food Technology

Ag Secretary on China Trade War & Our Farmers

Food Trade

My Nightmare Meal: A Personal Reflection of Our Food System

Ag Secretary Perdue recently told us not to fear our food. Have we really come to the point that people must be told by a cabinet-level government official that their food supply is okay to eat?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety

What's Happening in Ag?

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

GMOs are Confusing: A Recipe for Understanding

Consumers continue to be confused about GMOs. What if we told you that enhancing your banana bread recipe with additional nutrients is similar in concept to adding a gene to a plant?

Food Ingredients, Food Technology

From the Farm Babe: Who is Dirt-to-Dinner?

Dirt-to-Dinner recently visited Michelle Miller, one of our favorite social media collaborators and the voice behind The Farm Babe. Here, Michelle details a bit of the story behind Dirt-to-Dinner and sheds some light on the importance of partnering with like-minded “Agvocates.”

D2D on the Farm, Food Production

Palm Oil: In Pursuit of Sustainability

Every day, consumers are unwittingly caught in a catch-22. Palm oil, an ingredient in many of the foods we eat and products we use daily, has a reputation for deforestation and habitat destruction. But there is a solution: growing it sustainably.

Food Production

Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ list is an unscientific scam

Food Production, Food Safety

The Peterson Farm Brothers: "Managed well, cattle keep the land swell."

Climate Change

Waste Not, Want Not: Eat Beer and Drink Sandwiches!

Drink Sandwiches? Eat Beer? Beer manufacturers and breweries are turning spent grains into bread, animal feed and even energy and compost. They are also taking bread and turning it into beer! The efforts of the beer industry point to significant progress in the battle against food waste.

Food Production

AquaBounty Salmon: 5 Questions

Rallying for our Flooded Farmers

The ongoing flooding in Nebraska and Iowa has pushed many over the edge, making the next harvest an impossibility for some. Many have lost their homes, their farms, and their livelihood. Here is how you can help.

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

We Need Common Sense to Understand Risk

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Does glyphosate—the world’s most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans?

Venezuela in Crisis: A Starving Nation

Hungry citizens, lost jobs, violence, and a mass exodus of millions. It’s the story of a society melting down before our very eyes. How are Venezuelans managing to eat?

Food Future: What will it take to nourish a nation in 2050?

Food Production

The Green New Deal: Where's the Beef?

The Green New Deal calls on the U.S. to take a leading role in reducing emissions through “economic transformation.” The references to farming and agriculture’s footprint have generated a lot of discussion among the farming community.

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Saving Chocolate, One 'Kiss' at a Time

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! As you enjoy sweet chocolate confections today, consider this – the cacao tree is under threat from deforestation, pests and diseases, and climate change. Can it be saved by scientific intervention? Ethos Chocolate has come up with a clever promotion to help consumers embrace the possibility.