Dana DiPrima Shares Farmers' Stories

Her "One Bite is Everything" podcast spotlights the people who put food on our tables

Photo courtesy of Dana DiPrima

Eating is a necessary part of our daily lives, but whether we purchase food from our local market or dine at a restaurant, many people — especially those of us who live in cities — have grown detached from our food sources.

Dana DiPrima’s mission is to help us deepen our connection with our food by shining a light on the stories of farmers with her “One Bite is Everything” podcast. DiPrima has tackled subjects ranging from food equity to how a loophole led to a Texas rancher breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle.

“I talk to some of the most interesting people in the world,” says DiPrima. “Farmers do incredibly difficult work. It’s the day-to-day growing of grapes or potatoes or cows.”

DiPrima says that most farmers in the United States are small to medium-sized businesses, working to keep their heads above water against the huge farming industry.

And the more we know about the food we eat and where it comes from, the better we can help our local farmers. “The most important thing we do is eat and we take it for granted. A teeny-tiny change in the decision you make when choosing your food can change a farmer’s business model.”

The podcast host says that the best way to support your local farmers — and to get the most nutritional value for the food you eat is to support local. “There are so many benefits to shopping local. It helps your health and the community.” She explains that out of every dollar you spend at a local farm, 57 cents will stay with the farmer. Plus, you’re purchasing produce (or meat) that’s fresher than food that might be stored for weeks or months.

DiPrima’s podcast shares the stories of the farmers and the food you eat. “I’m getting to the root of what’s in your food, in your environment, and the economy.”

In a world where chefs are celebrities, she wants to give the growers their due. “Let’s make farmers famous. The way they turn a tiny seed into the most luxurious carrot is alchemy and it should be celebrated.”

To compliment her reverence for farmers, DiPrima also started the For Farmers Movement, which supports farmers by sharing their stories and awards farmers’ grants. “Small farmers struggle — even farmers that are holding it together — and 90 percent of American farms are small farms,” she says. DiPRima runs a campaign in the spring to thank farmers and in the fall, to coincide with National Farmers Day on October 12, she accepts nominations from the public to help award grants to farmers. Nominations are received from all 50 states and, so far, DiPrima has awarded 75 grants. The money has gone to help a dairy goat farmer purchase a sonogram machine to help fund a water system for a livestock barn in Indiana.

DiPrima invites everyone to nominate their favorite farmer — and if they don’t have a favorite, now is the time to get to know their local farmers. “I think it’s so important to be curious about our food.”