Drakes Bay Oyster Company is fighting back after the federal government refused to renew its lease in Point Reyes National Seashore last week. The National Park Service and its environmentalist allies want to return the area to marine wilderness. But the company is suing to overturn the decision, and many oyster lovers are rallying to its defense.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner — but some local food banks are reporting a lack of donations. KQED’s Forum talks with local food banks about food shortages and what people can do to help.
In 2007, Oakland’s Beth Terry decided to give up plastic after seeing a picture of a dead seabird, its stomach filled with plastic bottle caps. Her decision spawned a blog, a book and a movement to make people aware of how much plastic they consume. KQED’s Forum talks to Terry about how, and why, people should reduce their plastic use, from changes obvious (carry your own reusable water bottle) to the surprising (kick that chewing gum habit).
Many shoppers are willing to shell out more money for organic produce because they believe it is healthier — but a new report casts doubt on that. The Stanford University study challenges whether organic foods are more nutritious than conventional foods grown with pesticides. KQED’s Forum discusses the benefits of organic foods and the impact of ingesting trace amounts of pesticides. Do you buy organic? Will this new study change the way you eat?
If a child has a food allergy, they are currently told to avoid any traces of that food. That could soon change as a result of a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that egg allergies could sometimes be reversed by giving small daily doses of egg over time. KQED’s Forum discusses new developments in the prevention and treatment of food allergies.
On July 1, new federal regulations went into effect to make your child’s school lunch more nutritious, like adding additional fresh fruits and vegetables. After the usual pizza and chicken nuggets, it sounds like needed change. But are schools ready? According to research from California Watch, 60 percent of schools in the state have trouble meeting the old nutrition requirements. How will they get up to speed?
Samuel Zemurray was a poor Jewish immigrant, selling freckled bananas out of a boxcar before amassing a fortune in the banana trade. His rags-to-riches story is unveiled in a new biography by Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone Magazine contributing editor Rich Cohen. Cohen joins KQED’s Forum to discuss Zemurray’s life in relation to American capitalism, foreign relations in Latin America and beyond.
Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, BAB blogger and author of “Suffering Succotash: A Picky Eater’s Quest to Understand Why We Hate the Foods We Hate” discusses picky eating along with some other experts in the field.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote next month on a new farm bill, which would shape the nation’s food and agriculture agenda for the next five years. What might the legislation mean for California farmers and consumers?
One in three adults in the U.S. is obese, and that doesn’t account for the simply overweight. But many people still don’t know what’s actually making people fat. KQED Forum talks with nutrition and food expert Marion Nestle about her new book, “Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics.”
KQED’s Forum talks food, medicine, culture and the science of mushrooms with food writer Eugenia Bone.
Foie gras is at the center of debate in the California culinary world. More than 100 chefs are working to repeal a new law that would ban the force-feeding of ducks and sale of foie gras in the state starting on July 1.
The USDA has confirmed a case of mad cow disease in a dairy cow near Fresno. This is just the fourth case of mad cow disease found in the U.S. since the disease first appeared in the country in 2003. Agriculture officials say meat-eaters are not at risk because it’s an atypical case — the infected cow was not intended for the food supply and the disease cannot be transmitted by milk. But consumer advocates say there are many questions yet to be answered.
Celebrity chef Jacques Pépin has been cooking for over 60 years. He has published 27 cookbooks and recently won an IACP Award for his new TV series “Essential Pépin.” Previously, Pépin has won a Daytime Emmy, numerous James Beard Awards and two of France’s highest honors. Pépin joined Michael Krasny on Forum to discuss food, his newest cookbook and his KQED-produced PBS series “Essential Pépin.”
Bay Area Bites (BAB), KQED's public media food blog, feeds you visually compelling food-related stories, news, recipes and reviews from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Enter your email address to receive updates each time we publish new posts.
Avoid Extreme Diets – 5 Warm Weather Foods That Naturally Detox The Body
Some people use extreme diets like fasting and juice cleanses. But these aren’t necessary for most people and may be dangerous without medical supervision. Here are five foods that support the body while cleansing.
Can A Piece Of Hair Reveal How Much Coke Or Pepsi You Drink?
People are notorious for under-reporting what they consume — they lie, forget or just guess wrong. For researchers who want to know how much soda we’re drinking, a high-tech analysis technique could help.
ADHD In Childhood May Feed Obesity In Adults
People diagnosed with ADHD as children may be more apt to be obese in adulthood, scientists say. Differences in brain biology or the impulsiveness typical of ADHD may contribute to lasting, bad eating habits.
Avoid Extreme Diets – 5 Warm Weather Foods That Naturally Detox The Body
Some people use extreme diets like fasting and juice cleanses. But these aren’t necessary for most people and may be dangerous without medical supervision. Here are five foods that support the body while cleansing.
How to Make Kombucha: An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale
See how a dripping blob of bacteria and yeast makes fizzy, homemade kombucha and bonds a mother and daughter. Liberally illustrated with drawings of Kombucha Killers, Vessel Guide, Friendly Add-Ins, Dangers Signs and Brewing Steps.
Try A Do-It-Yourself Mother’s Day
Rather than waiting for someone to give you a treat, why not make one of your favorites for yourself? Something you can snack on all week when no one’s around. Or, better yet, something you don’t have to share. Food writer T. Susan Chang recommends slow-roasted pecans, salty-sweet matzo candy and more.
Hunan Home’s Restaurant, Radius, Guerilla Café: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Restaurants reviewed: Hunan Home’s Restaurant (San Francisco), Radius Restaurant and Café (San Francisco) and Guerilla Café (Berkeley).
Chris Hadfield: Space Chef In Chief
The Canadian astronaut didn’t just tweet and sing his heart out during his five months as commander of the International Space Station. He also took time out to show the world what it’s like to eat up there.
Bocanova, Willi’s Wine Bar, The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Check, Please! Bay Area reviews these restaurants: Bocanova (Oakland), Willi’s Wine Bar (Santa Rosa), The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus (San Francisco).
Celebrate the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market 20th Birthday Bash with CUESA
In honor of its 20th anniversary, Bay Area Bites looks back on how the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market has become a San Francisco institution for chefs, home cooks, and curious eaters from around the world.
Exploratorium Elevates Museum Eating Experience
Chef Loretta Keller, the force behind the Exploratorium’s new culinary options, talks bee jet lag, living foods, and seawater cocktails with BAB’s Sarah Henry.
Grits, Fried Chicken and Gospel Brunch – Chef David Lawrence Discusses Life at “1300 on Fillmore”
Mary Ladd interviews Chef David Lawrence about his restaurant “1300 on Fillmore” which is known for fabulous grits, fried chicken and a lively Sunday Gospel brunch.
Burger Bonanza in the East Bay
Moxy Burger, The Bureau 510 and Grazzy Burgers are several of the latest arrivals to the East Bay burger scene.
Hunan Home’s Restaurant, Radius, Guerilla Café: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Restaurants reviewed: Hunan Home’s Restaurant (San Francisco), Radius Restaurant and Café (San Francisco) and Guerilla Café (Berkeley).
First Impression: Healdsburg SHED
What would a wine country locavore’s paradise look like? Stephanie Rosenbaum talks to Cindy Daniel, owner of Healdsburg’s new SHED, a 21st-century grange, store, and sustainable-living center.
Bocanova, Willi’s Wine Bar, The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Check, Please! Bay Area reviews these restaurants: Bocanova (Oakland), Willi’s Wine Bar (Santa Rosa), The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus (San Francisco).
Cheese Books for the Curd Nerd
Every aspiring curd nerd yearns to embiggen their knowledge base about the dairy darlings they adore. Garrett McCord shares two books that help you gain a broader understanding of cheese and supply you with tasteful cheese-centric recipes.
Michael Pollan talks about his new book ‘Cooked’
As in his previous books, Michael Pollan argues in “Cooked” that relying on processed food disrupts our link to the natural world and weakens our interpersonal relationships. He joins KQED’s Forum in the studio.
KQED’s Forum: Mark Bittman on Part-Time Veganism
Mark Bittman talks about his new book, and how a full-time meat lover adapted to part-time veganism.
Are the benefits of genetically engineered foods worth the risks? Check out this half-hour special from QUEST Northern California that explores the pros and cons of genetically engineered crops and what the future holds for research and regulations.
Baby & Toddler On The Go: fresh, homemade foods for a busy life (VIDEO)
A precociously independent toddler packs a healthy homemade lunch and heads off to snack in Bernal Height’s Holly Park in San Francisco. This video is a promo for Kim Laidlaw’s new book: Baby & Toddler On The Go: fresh, homemade foods for a busy life.
Deaf Foodies Savor Gourmet Ghetto Tasting Tour in Sign Language
A dozen Deaf Foodies relish the tastes and history of Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto in a 3 hour tasting tour presented completely in American Sign Language (ASL) by food writer (and ASL interpreter) Anna Mindess through Edible Excursions.
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