Reclaiming the Old Flavor of Food | Shawn Pollack | TEDxFondduLac

[Applause]

[Applause] hi so when I was in the fourth grade the

hi so when I was in the fourth grade the

hi so when I was in the fourth grade the world’s greatest scientific achievement

world’s greatest scientific achievement

world’s greatest scientific achievement was made it was like 1991-92 any guesses

was made it was like 1991-92 any guesses

was made it was like 1991-92 any guesses that’s right

that’s right

that’s right gushers fruit snacks were created yeah I

gushers fruit snacks were created yeah I

gushers fruit snacks were created yeah I I grew up on a dairy farm I ate the same

I grew up on a dairy farm I ate the same

I grew up on a dairy farm I ate the same foods my parents ate growing up we milk

foods my parents ate growing up we milk

foods my parents ate growing up we milk our own cows we raised our own chickens

our own cows we raised our own chickens

our own cows we raised our own chickens collect our own eggs

collect our own eggs

collect our own eggs grew all of our own fruits and

grew all of our own fruits and

grew all of our own fruits and vegetables everything was

vegetables everything was

vegetables everything was self-sustaining on our farm so when I

self-sustaining on our farm so when I

self-sustaining on our farm so when I saw gushers and the super cool

saw gushers and the super cool

saw gushers and the super cool commercial where they were like this

commercial where they were like this

commercial where they were like this regular fruit snack but filled with goo

regular fruit snack but filled with goo

regular fruit snack but filled with goo I had to have them I just wanted to eat

I had to have them I just wanted to eat

I had to have them I just wanted to eat something that had a TV commercial I

something that had a TV commercial I

something that had a TV commercial I mean to me my whole life food food was

mean to me my whole life food food was

mean to me my whole life food food was just work it was work it was it was

just work it was work it was it was

just work it was work it was it was pulling weeds it was picking stones all

pulling weeds it was picking stones all

pulling weeds it was picking stones all summer friends do you want to come over

summer friends do you want to come over

summer friends do you want to come over and play no no picking stones all day no

and play no no picking stones all day no

and play no no picking stones all day no it was just work it was milking cows

it was just work it was milking cows

it was just work it was milking cows when I got off the bus from school there

when I got off the bus from school there

when I got off the bus from school there was always some homemade baked good

was always some homemade baked good

was always some homemade baked good waiting for me and I wanted something

waiting for me and I wanted something

waiting for me and I wanted something exotic I wanted like a Twinkie something

exotic I wanted like a Twinkie something

exotic I wanted like a Twinkie something with a wrapper you know but but that

with a wrapper you know but but that

with a wrapper you know but but that wasn’t in the cards for me and and I

wasn’t in the cards for me and and I

wasn’t in the cards for me and and I ended up resenting it I I hated it I I

ended up resenting it I I hated it I I

ended up resenting it I I hated it I I wanted to live where there were

wanted to live where there were

wanted to live where there were sidewalks I wanted to go through a

sidewalks I wanted to go through a

sidewalks I wanted to go through a grocery store and buy more than just

grocery store and buy more than just

grocery store and buy more than just sugar salt and flour I wanted to live

sugar salt and flour I wanted to live

sugar salt and flour I wanted to live like everybody else was living um so in

like everybody else was living um so in

like everybody else was living um so in the fourth grade when I took my homemade

the fourth grade when I took my homemade

the fourth grade when I took my homemade meatloaf sandwich and I traded it

meatloaf sandwich and I traded it

meatloaf sandwich and I traded it straight up for a tiny pack of gushers

straight up for a tiny pack of gushers

straight up for a tiny pack of gushers fruit snacks I really believed I got the

fruit snacks I really believed I got the

fruit snacks I really believed I got the better end of that deal

better end of that deal

better end of that deal still do almost eventually I grew up and

still do almost eventually I grew up and

still do almost eventually I grew up and lived out my dream to an extent I moved

lived out my dream to an extent I moved

lived out my dream to an extent I moved to California I made TV commercials for

to California I made TV commercials for

to California I made TV commercials for a living and I worked in television and

a living and I worked in television and

a living and I worked in television and I started grocery shopping with

I started grocery shopping with

I started grocery shopping with everybody else I was walking through the

everybody else I was walking through the

everybody else I was walking through the grocery aisles picking out what I wanted

grocery aisles picking out what I wanted

grocery aisles picking out what I wanted buying a steak in a package it was all

buying a steak in a package it was all

buying a steak in a package it was all new to me and then that’s when I

new to me and then that’s when I

new to me and then that’s when I realized I was an idiot you see I grew

realized I was an idiot you see I grew

realized I was an idiot you see I grew up with the best of the best food that I

up with the best of the best food that I

up with the best of the best food that I mean I I grew up in a world and now live

mean I I grew up in a world and now live

mean I I grew up in a world and now live again in a world where when you go out

again in a world where when you go out

again in a world where when you go out for a steak it’s more about the drink

for a steak it’s more about the drink

for a steak it’s more about the drink that comes before the steak than the

that comes before the steak than the

that comes before the steak than the steak because the best steak is the one

steak because the best steak is the one

steak because the best steak is the one I make for myself some of you are

I make for myself some of you are

I make for myself some of you are nodding you agree my steaks are

nodding you agree my steaks are

nodding you agree my steaks are delicious they are but uh I guess the

delicious they are but uh I guess the

delicious they are but uh I guess the struggle for me was I thought that there

struggle for me was I thought that there

struggle for me was I thought that there was something wrong with me I was buying

was something wrong with me I was buying

was something wrong with me I was buying food from a grocery store as following

food from a grocery store as following

food from a grocery store as following our family recipes the exact same way my

our family recipes the exact same way my

our family recipes the exact same way my mom taught us all of us kids to cook

mom taught us all of us kids to cook

mom taught us all of us kids to cook them and then I I was I ended up with a

them and then I I was I ended up with a

them and then I I was I ended up with a hot sauce addiction because I needed to

hot sauce addiction because I needed to

hot sauce addiction because I needed to make this food taste like something like

make this food taste like something like

make this food taste like something like anything I knew I was following the

anything I knew I was following the

anything I knew I was following the recipes I just chalked it up to maybe I

recipes I just chalked it up to maybe I

recipes I just chalked it up to maybe I was a bad cook I’d roll home for the

was a bad cook I’d roll home for the

was a bad cook I’d roll home for the holidays we’ll fly home for the holidays

holidays we’ll fly home for the holidays

holidays we’ll fly home for the holidays and then I was like no it’s not me I’m

and then I was like no it’s not me I’m

and then I was like no it’s not me I’m not losing my sense of taste there the

not losing my sense of taste there the

not losing my sense of taste there the food back home still tasted like the

food back home still tasted like the

food back home still tasted like the food from home so I found myself when I

food from home so I found myself when I

food from home so I found myself when I would travel back home I would mail

would travel back home I would mail

would travel back home I would mail myself

myself

myself my-my-my clothes and I would fill my

my-my-my clothes and I would fill my

my-my-my clothes and I would fill my luggage with frozen beef that’s true

luggage with frozen beef that’s true

luggage with frozen beef that’s true that is absolutely true I would take

that is absolutely true I would take

that is absolutely true I would take cases of meat I would take my mom’s

cases of meat I would take my mom’s

cases of meat I would take my mom’s dilly beans for Bloody Mary’s I would it

dilly beans for Bloody Mary’s I would it

dilly beans for Bloody Mary’s I would it would all be coming back on a plane with

would all be coming back on a plane with

would all be coming back on a plane with me because I cared more about that than

me because I cared more about that than

me because I cared more about that than my underwear

my underwear

my underwear so I became slightly obsessed with

so I became slightly obsessed with

so I became slightly obsessed with everything life happens and and I found

everything life happens and and I found

everything life happens and and I found myself doing the unthinkable I moved

myself doing the unthinkable I moved

myself doing the unthinkable I moved back to that farm that was nothing but

back to that farm that was nothing but

back to that farm that was nothing but work that place I resented growing up

work that place I resented growing up

work that place I resented growing up the place I spent years going to school

the place I spent years going to school

the place I spent years going to school to try to flee I went back and I

to try to flee I went back and I

to try to flee I went back and I enrolled in culinary school actually

enrolled in culinary school actually

enrolled in culinary school actually here in town because I I could not

here in town because I I could not

here in town because I I could not figure out why this food from the stores

figure out why this food from the stores

figure out why this food from the stores wasn’t tasting like anything and it

wasn’t tasting like anything and it

wasn’t tasting like anything and it bothered me

bothered me

bothered me so in connery school you’re surrounded

so in connery school you’re surrounded

so in connery school you’re surrounded with other like-minded food obsessed

with other like-minded food obsessed

with other like-minded food obsessed people you would all cook a few dishes

people you would all cook a few dishes

people you would all cook a few dishes and you would spend time dissecting

and you would spend time dissecting

and you would spend time dissecting every aspect of everyone’s dish they got

every aspect of everyone’s dish they got

every aspect of everyone’s dish they got a little annoying I mean there are some

a little annoying I mean there are some

a little annoying I mean there are some really annoying foodie people out there

really annoying foodie people out there

really annoying foodie people out there but what I found is that I was tasting

but what I found is that I was tasting

but what I found is that I was tasting things and discovering things in food

things and discovering things in food

things and discovering things in food that other people weren’t tasting I

that other people weren’t tasting I

that other people weren’t tasting I could taste how long that pork chop they

could taste how long that pork chop they

could taste how long that pork chop they were serving we had been in a freezer I

were serving we had been in a freezer I

were serving we had been in a freezer I could taste how old those cherry

could taste how old those cherry

could taste how old those cherry tomatoes were on that salad what I did

tomatoes were on that salad what I did

tomatoes were on that salad what I did then was I took this test and found out

then was I took this test and found out

then was I took this test and found out that I have this polymorphism in a gene

that I have this polymorphism in a gene

that I have this polymorphism in a gene that is responsible for receiving bitter

that is responsible for receiving bitter

that is responsible for receiving bitter flavor compounds one in four people

flavor compounds one in four people

flavor compounds one in four people actually in this room likely have the

actually in this room likely have the

actually in this room likely have the same thing you’re categorized I hate the

same thing you’re categorized I hate the

same thing you’re categorized I hate the term but you’re categorized as a super

term but you’re categorized as a super

term but you’re categorized as a super taster 50% of people are average tasters

taster 50% of people are average tasters

taster 50% of people are average tasters 25% of people are non tasters but if you

25% of people are non tasters but if you

25% of people are non tasters but if you were the sort of person if you enjoy

were the sort of person if you enjoy

were the sort of person if you enjoy salt if bitter foods like if you got to

salt if bitter foods like if you got to

salt if bitter foods like if you got to give yourself a little bit of a pep talk

give yourself a little bit of a pep talk

give yourself a little bit of a pep talk to eat a grapefruit or a Brussels sprout

to eat a grapefruit or a Brussels sprout

to eat a grapefruit or a Brussels sprout if smells bother you more than anyone

if smells bother you more than anyone

if smells bother you more than anyone else you’re probably a super taster and

else you’re probably a super taster and

else you’re probably a super taster and you can probably hone that skill a

you can probably hone that skill a

you can probably hone that skill a little bit better than even you realize

little bit better than even you realize

little bit better than even you realize so by the time culinary school was

so by the time culinary school was

so by the time culinary school was wrapping up I was growing and still am

wrapping up I was growing and still am

wrapping up I was growing and still am these beautiful heirloom tomatoes I was

these beautiful heirloom tomatoes I was

these beautiful heirloom tomatoes I was discovering that I could taste the

discovering that I could taste the

discovering that I could taste the difference between every variety of

difference between every variety of

difference between every variety of tomato and the weird thing was is I

tomato and the weird thing was is I

tomato and the weird thing was is I realized when I was picking through a

realized when I was picking through a

realized when I was picking through a patch of strawberries that in the

patch of strawberries that in the

patch of strawberries that in the morning I could taste a difference

morning I could taste a difference

morning I could taste a difference between a strawberry picked right after

between a strawberry picked right after

between a strawberry picked right after sunrise and a strawberry picked right

sunrise and a strawberry picked right

sunrise and a strawberry picked right after noon and I thought I was a freak I

after noon and I thought I was a freak I

after noon and I thought I was a freak I mean I love beer clearly I love micro

mean I love beer clearly I love micro

mean I love beer clearly I love micro breweries but I cannot for the life of

breweries but I cannot for the life of

breweries but I cannot for the life of me drink an IPA it’s just too bitter so

me drink an IPA it’s just too bitter so

me drink an IPA it’s just too bitter so it’s not all fun and games there are

it’s not all fun and games there are

it’s not all fun and games there are there are some land mines built in but I

there are some land mines built in but I

there are some land mines built in but I I did become obsessed and I and I wanted

I did become obsessed and I and I wanted

I did become obsessed and I and I wanted to figure out why so to figure out why I

to figure out why so to figure out why I

to figure out why so to figure out why I had to go way back I had to look through

had to go way back I had to look through

had to go way back I had to look through old family recipes and old recipes in

old family recipes and old recipes in

old family recipes and old recipes in general I started collecting old

general I started collecting old

general I started collecting old cookbooks and I realized first and

cookbooks and I realized first and

cookbooks and I realized first and foremost the chickens we were growing a

foremost the chickens we were growing a

foremost the chickens we were growing a hundred years ago are nothing like the

hundred years ago are nothing like the

hundred years ago are nothing like the chickens were growing today when they

chickens were growing today when they

chickens were growing today when they were talking about a recipe they were

were talking about a recipe they were

were talking about a recipe they were talking about a 2 to 3 pound bird put

talking about a 2 to 3 pound bird put

talking about a 2 to 3 pound bird put into a pot and cooked a very long time

into a pot and cooked a very long time

into a pot and cooked a very long time because chicken was always tough so I

because chicken was always tough so I

because chicken was always tough so I had to figure out well how were they

had to figure out well how were they

had to figure out well how were they growing chickens in 1920 it took roughly

growing chickens in 1920 it took roughly

growing chickens in 1920 it took roughly four months to grow a three pound

four months to grow a three pound

four months to grow a three pound chicken it’s it’s changed quite a bit

chicken it’s it’s changed quite a bit

chicken it’s it’s changed quite a bit and the reason is because of World War

and the reason is because of World War

and the reason is because of World War two during World War two all of our beef

two during World War two all of our beef

two during World War two all of our beef started getting sent overseas all of our

started getting sent overseas all of our

started getting sent overseas all of our red meat went to support the troops so

red meat went to support the troops so

red meat went to support the troops so we were left in this country with

we were left in this country with

we were left in this country with chicken and before World War Two chicken

chicken and before World War Two chicken

chicken and before World War Two chicken was kind of a

was kind of a

was kind of a a luxury food item if not luxury it was

a luxury food item if not luxury it was

a luxury food item if not luxury it was you raised him on your farms you’d some

you raised him on your farms you’d some

you raised him on your farms you’d some of the people in town because they

of the people in town because they

of the people in town because they didn’t know any better it was you know

didn’t know any better it was you know

didn’t know any better it was you know they paid good money because they took a

they paid good money because they took a

they paid good money because they took a long time to get a little bit of meat so

long time to get a little bit of meat so

long time to get a little bit of meat so in night the late 1940s early 1950s the

in night the late 1940s early 1950s the

in night the late 1940s early 1950s the USDA got together and they launched the

USDA got together and they launched the

USDA got together and they launched the chicken of tomorrow contest some of you

chicken of tomorrow contest some of you

chicken of tomorrow contest some of you may have heard of it it was a pretty

may have heard of it it was a pretty

may have heard of it it was a pretty pretty big deal

pretty big deal

pretty big deal during this contest what they were able

during this contest what they were able

during this contest what they were able to do they were focusing on yield they

to do they were focusing on yield they

to do they were focusing on yield they needed to make chicken cheaper so that

needed to make chicken cheaper so that

needed to make chicken cheaper so that when all these soldiers came back it

when all these soldiers came back it

when all these soldiers came back it became a good option for them so they

became a good option for them so they

became a good option for them so they did they managed to create a chicken

did they managed to create a chicken

did they managed to create a chicken that in roughly six weeks was three and

that in roughly six weeks was three and

that in roughly six weeks was three and a half pounds so I mean that’s an

a half pounds so I mean that’s an

a half pounds so I mean that’s an incredible feat that they were able to

incredible feat that they were able to

incredible feat that they were able to redesign this bird so fast I have a

redesign this bird so fast I have a

redesign this bird so fast I have a great example of this this year

great example of this this year

great example of this this year specifically myself and my dad grew two

specifically myself and my dad grew two

specifically myself and my dad grew two different types of chickens these birds

different types of chickens these birds

different types of chickens these birds were hatched on the exact same day this

were hatched on the exact same day this

were hatched on the exact same day this was what we call harvest day for for the

was what we call harvest day for for the

was what we call harvest day for for the Cornish cross bird which is the white

Cornish cross bird which is the white

Cornish cross bird which is the white chicken you see there the other bird in

chicken you see there the other bird in

chicken you see there the other bird in this picture is a breed that was popular

this picture is a breed that was popular

this picture is a breed that was popular around 1920 it was known as the

around 1920 it was known as the

around 1920 it was known as the Winnebago it originated in AMRO

Winnebago it originated in AMRO

Winnebago it originated in AMRO Wisconsin it was renamed in the middle

Wisconsin it was renamed in the middle

Wisconsin it was renamed in the middle of this century the golden lace

of this century the golden lace

of this century the golden lace Wyandotte but in reality it’s not a

Wyandotte but in reality it’s not a

Wyandotte but in reality it’s not a Wyandotte chicken at all it was renamed

Wyandotte chicken at all it was renamed

Wyandotte chicken at all it was renamed just for branding purposes so damn it I

just for branding purposes so damn it I

just for branding purposes so damn it I call it the Winnebago

call it the Winnebago

call it the Winnebago but these chickens were born the exact

but these chickens were born the exact

but these chickens were born the exact same day they were fed the exact same

same day they were fed the exact same

same day they were fed the exact same ration they lived in the exact same

ration they lived in the exact same

ration they lived in the exact same chicken coop they’re the same access to

chicken coop they’re the same access to

chicken coop they’re the same access to the same feed the same water their lives

the same feed the same water their lives

the same feed the same water their lives were identical and you can see just from

were identical and you can see just from

were identical and you can see just from breeding alone this is the difference in

breeding alone this is the difference in

breeding alone this is the difference in the and the size of the bird this is BRE

the and the size of the bird this is BRE

the and the size of the bird this is BRE our average chickens this year at 6

our average chickens this year at 6

our average chickens this year at 6 weeks old were seven and eight pounds

weeks old were seven and eight pounds

weeks old were seven and eight pounds you can see how efficient that is and

you can see how efficient that is and

you can see how efficient that is and why chicken now is so cheap it’s so

why chicken now is so cheap it’s so

why chicken now is so cheap it’s so cheap in fact that in 1960 we spent on

cheap in fact that in 1960 we spent on

cheap in fact that in 1960 we spent on average 18 percent of our take-home pay

average 18 percent of our take-home pay

average 18 percent of our take-home pay on food today we spend less than 10% of

on food today we spend less than 10% of

on food today we spend less than 10% of our

our

our konpai on food food is cheaper now than

konpai on food food is cheaper now than

konpai on food food is cheaper now than it has ever been for people and and it’s

it has ever been for people and and it’s

it has ever been for people and and it’s not just about the chicken itself and

not just about the chicken itself and

not just about the chicken itself and redesigning its how we have to cook them

redesigning its how we have to cook them

redesigning its how we have to cook them we can’t follow that same recipe we’re

we can’t follow that same recipe we’re

we can’t follow that same recipe we’re eating a young chick now we’re eating

eating a young chick now we’re eating

eating a young chick now we’re eating something that is essentially a six week

something that is essentially a six week

something that is essentially a six week old tiny baby that was designed to grow

old tiny baby that was designed to grow

old tiny baby that was designed to grow really really fast I’m not passing any

really really fast I’m not passing any

really really fast I’m not passing any judgment on that you guys are able to

judgment on that you guys are able to

judgment on that you guys are able to eat a really cheap chicken nugget good

eat a really cheap chicken nugget good

eat a really cheap chicken nugget good for you

for you

for you but my point about that is is that we

but my point about that is is that we

but my point about that is is that we are growing a lot of things a lot faster

are growing a lot of things a lot faster

are growing a lot of things a lot faster than we used to the speed was essential

than we used to the speed was essential

than we used to the speed was essential we had to grow things for greater yield

we had to grow things for greater yield

we had to grow things for greater yield greater shelf-life disease resistance

greater shelf-life disease resistance

greater shelf-life disease resistance and the one thing that we were able to

and the one thing that we were able to

and the one thing that we were able to give up was flavor and we were able to

give up was flavor and we were able to

give up was flavor and we were able to give up flavor because in 1955 this cool

give up flavor because in 1955 this cool

give up flavor because in 1955 this cool little contraption called the gas

little contraption called the gas

little contraption called the gas chromatograph was invented and what that

chromatograph was invented and what that

chromatograph was invented and what that allowed us to do is isolate specific

allowed us to do is isolate specific

allowed us to do is isolate specific flavor compounds in food so so what you

flavor compounds in food so so what you

flavor compounds in food so so what you have now is the Red Delicious apple we

have now is the Red Delicious apple we

have now is the Red Delicious apple we all know it as being red and not

all know it as being red and not

all know it as being red and not delicious but it is right I mean it is

delicious but it is right I mean it is

delicious but it is right I mean it is mostly used and always has been for

mostly used and always has been for

mostly used and always has been for juice in this country after 1955 we were

juice in this country after 1955 we were

juice in this country after 1955 we were able to add natural flavoring back into

able to add natural flavoring back into

able to add natural flavoring back into that juice so the apple doesn’t have to

that juice so the apple doesn’t have to

that juice so the apple doesn’t have to be a great apple we can make it taste

be a great apple we can make it taste

be a great apple we can make it taste like whatever we want there is a reason

like whatever we want there is a reason

like whatever we want there is a reason not a single person in this room has

not a single person in this room has

not a single person in this room has ever been able to only one Dorito I mean

ever been able to only one Dorito I mean

ever been able to only one Dorito I mean really it is the food it’s not designed

really it is the food it’s not designed

really it is the food it’s not designed in a lab but the flavor profiles are

in a lab but the flavor profiles are

in a lab but the flavor profiles are isolated to make you crave more so we

isolated to make you crave more so we

isolated to make you crave more so we also on our farm raised beef and our

also on our farm raised beef and our

also on our farm raised beef and our beef are raised outside with their moms

beef are raised outside with their moms

beef are raised outside with their moms we try to do it as close to natural as

we try to do it as close to natural as

we try to do it as close to natural as you can they live a life drinking milk

you can they live a life drinking milk

you can they live a life drinking milk from their mother months longer

from their mother months longer

from their mother months longer I mean it’s comical you drive by our

I mean it’s comical you drive by our

I mean it’s comical you drive by our farm and there are these full-grown

farm and there are these full-grown

farm and there are these full-grown cattle drinking from their mother so

cattle drinking from their mother so

cattle drinking from their mother so it’s absurd but but they live a very

it’s absurd but but they live a very

it’s absurd but but they live a very good life because that at two years old

good life because that at two years old

good life because that at two years old is when

is when

is when are harvested in this country we believe

are harvested in this country we believe

are harvested in this country we believe that they have to be harvested that at

that they have to be harvested that at

that they have to be harvested that at that age because it’s the only way to

that age because it’s the only way to

that age because it’s the only way to get a tender steak and it’s the only way

get a tender steak and it’s the only way

get a tender steak and it’s the only way to have enough fat in your steak so

to have enough fat in your steak so

to have enough fat in your steak so essentially what is happening in the

essentially what is happening in the

essentially what is happening in the world though is not following what’s

world though is not following what’s

world though is not following what’s happening here I’m traveling to Spain in

happening here I’m traveling to Spain in

happening here I’m traveling to Spain in March and I’m gonna eat a steak from a

March and I’m gonna eat a steak from a

March and I’m gonna eat a steak from a 17 year old oxen and it’s believed to be

17 year old oxen and it’s believed to be

17 year old oxen and it’s believed to be the best steak in the world it turns

the best steak in the world it turns

the best steak in the world it turns everything we know about food and flavor

everything we know about food and flavor

everything we know about food and flavor on its head and there are people like me

on its head and there are people like me

on its head and there are people like me who are travelling across the world just

who are travelling across the world just

who are travelling across the world just to try it for one meal

to try it for one meal

to try it for one meal I’m also raising pigs right now I’m

I’m also raising pigs right now I’m

I’m also raising pigs right now I’m raising a breed of pig called the

raising a breed of pig called the

raising a breed of pig called the American mule foot it’s the most

American mule foot it’s the most

American mule foot it’s the most endangered breed of hog in the country

endangered breed of hog in the country

endangered breed of hog in the country and it is endangered because it’s a

and it is endangered because it’s a

and it is endangered because it’s a fatty Pig it’s got fat in its meat and

fatty Pig it’s got fat in its meat and

fatty Pig it’s got fat in its meat and its meat is red over the years we were

its meat is red over the years we were

its meat is red over the years we were led to believe that fat is bad

led to believe that fat is bad

led to believe that fat is bad in reality fat is flavor so as we bred

in reality fat is flavor so as we bred

in reality fat is flavor so as we bred flat fat out of our meat we also lost

flat fat out of our meat we also lost

flat fat out of our meat we also lost flavor so now what is pork to most of

flavor so now what is pork to most of

flavor so now what is pork to most of you other than a vessel for some sort of

you other than a vessel for some sort of

you other than a vessel for some sort of sauce I mean how how many people love

sauce I mean how how many people love

sauce I mean how how many people love the taste of just pork

the taste of just pork

the taste of just pork not many we’re also looking into as a

not many we’re also looking into as a

not many we’re also looking into as a farmer soil soil in general is something

farmer soil soil in general is something

farmer soil soil in general is something we’re still trying to figure out the

we’re still trying to figure out the

we’re still trying to figure out the relationship between we know that in a

relationship between we know that in a

relationship between we know that in a teaspoon of dirt there is over a billion

teaspoon of dirt there is over a billion

teaspoon of dirt there is over a billion microorganisms a billion and we don’t

microorganisms a billion and we don’t

microorganisms a billion and we don’t fully understand how they interact with

fully understand how they interact with

fully understand how they interact with our food how they make some of our food

our food how they make some of our food

our food how they make some of our food sweeter but we’re learning and farmers

sweeter but we’re learning and farmers

sweeter but we’re learning and farmers farmers of animals are taking a Brix

farmers of animals are taking a Brix

farmers of animals are taking a Brix measurement of their forage that their

measurement of their forage that their

measurement of their forage that their animals are eating and that is most

animals are eating and that is most

animals are eating and that is most commonly used in winemaking specifically

commonly used in winemaking specifically

commonly used in winemaking specifically it measures the amount of sugar in

it measures the amount of sugar in

it measures the amount of sugar in grapes but farmers are using it to see

grapes but farmers are using it to see

grapes but farmers are using it to see how many available nutrients are in

how many available nutrients are in

how many available nutrients are in their pastures and in turn showing them

their pastures and in turn showing them

their pastures and in turn showing them what their animals and their animal

what their animals and their animal

what their animals and their animal products are gonna taste like it lets

products are gonna taste like it lets

products are gonna taste like it lets them know how good their cheese is going

them know how good their cheese is going

them know how good their cheese is going to be by how good their grass is so it’s

to be by how good their grass is so it’s

to be by how good their grass is so it’s not all doom and gloom there’s a few

not all doom and gloom there’s a few

not all doom and gloom there’s a few things we can all do to just be better

things we can all do to just be better

things we can all do to just be better we can start growing our own

we can start growing our own

we can start growing our own food just it doesn’t you don’t have to

food just it doesn’t you don’t have to

food just it doesn’t you don’t have to dig up you know your driveway and plant

dig up you know your driveway and plant

dig up you know your driveway and plant a big garden just I mean a pot of

a big garden just I mean a pot of

a big garden just I mean a pot of parsley by a kitchen window will change

parsley by a kitchen window will change

parsley by a kitchen window will change how you see all food when you put in the

how you see all food when you put in the

how you see all food when you put in the work the work that I hate it as a kid

work the work that I hate it as a kid

work the work that I hate it as a kid when you start putting in the work you

when you start putting in the work you

when you start putting in the work you see all food differently you’re not

see all food differently you’re not

see all food differently you’re not you’re not going to let a plate be

you’re not going to let a plate be

you’re not going to let a plate be scraped into a garbage can you’re going

scraped into a garbage can you’re going

scraped into a garbage can you’re going to eat it all and you’re not going to

to eat it all and you’re not going to

to eat it all and you’re not going to take that huge portion to begin with we

take that huge portion to begin with we

take that huge portion to begin with we waste way too much food in this country

waste way too much food in this country

waste way too much food in this country and it’s because we are disconnected

and it’s because we are disconnected

and it’s because we are disconnected from the people growing our food grow a

from the people growing our food grow a

from the people growing our food grow a little bit yourself you’re gonna waste

little bit yourself you’re gonna waste

little bit yourself you’re gonna waste less pay more for better quality from

less pay more for better quality from

less pay more for better quality from local farmers it costs more when you

local farmers it costs more when you

local farmers it costs more when you know the person who’s growing your food

know the person who’s growing your food

know the person who’s growing your food because there are no middlemen it’s

because there are no middlemen it’s

because there are no middlemen it’s going directly into their pocket but

going directly into their pocket but

going directly into their pocket but let’s be real most farmers are doing

let’s be real most farmers are doing

let’s be real most farmers are doing whatever they can in the commercial

whatever they can in the commercial

whatever they can in the commercial environment that they can scrape a

environment that they can scrape a

environment that they can scrape a living out of if you talk to a farmer if

living out of if you talk to a farmer if

living out of if you talk to a farmer if you know a farmer if you meet one

you know a farmer if you meet one

you know a farmer if you meet one they’re happy to grow an animal or a

they’re happy to grow an animal or a

they’re happy to grow an animal or a vegetable or a fruit the way you want it

vegetable or a fruit the way you want it

vegetable or a fruit the way you want it to be grown they’re happy to do it you

to be grown they’re happy to do it you

to be grown they’re happy to do it you just gotta show them it’s worthwhile a

just gotta show them it’s worthwhile a

just gotta show them it’s worthwhile a farm is not a zoo a farm is not a garden

farm is not a zoo a farm is not a garden

farm is not a zoo a farm is not a garden a farm has to make money for it to exist

a farm has to make money for it to exist

a farm has to make money for it to exist so you have to put the money there eat

so you have to put the money there eat

so you have to put the money there eat what’s in season you’ve all made a damn

what’s in season you’ve all made a damn

what’s in season you’ve all made a damn fruit salad for Christmas I know it and

fruit salad for Christmas I know it and

fruit salad for Christmas I know it and you’ve all been disappointed every

you’ve all been disappointed every

you’ve all been disappointed every single one of you been disappointed if

single one of you been disappointed if

single one of you been disappointed if you if you make food for people when

you if you make food for people when

you if you make food for people when it’s in season you will fool them into

it’s in season you will fool them into

it’s in season you will fool them into thinking you’re actually a good cook

thinking you’re actually a good cook

thinking you’re actually a good cook because when it’s in season and as all

because when it’s in season and as all

because when it’s in season and as all the flavor it needs you can do less to

the flavor it needs you can do less to

the flavor it needs you can do less to it you don’t have to screw with

it you don’t have to screw with

it you don’t have to screw with something that’s already great so I know

something that’s already great so I know

something that’s already great so I know it’s hard but honestly you’re better off

it’s hard but honestly you’re better off

it’s hard but honestly you’re better off buying canned pineapple in the middle of

buying canned pineapple in the middle of

buying canned pineapple in the middle of January then buying a fresh pineapple

January then buying a fresh pineapple

January then buying a fresh pineapple that was just flown halfway across the

that was just flown halfway across the

that was just flown halfway across the planet to get to your table it’s just

planet to get to your table it’s just

planet to get to your table it’s just going to taste better

going to taste better

going to taste better and lastly raise your standards

and lastly raise your standards

and lastly raise your standards I mean so many of you think you know

I mean so many of you think you know

I mean so many of you think you know what good food is but trust me I’ve

what good food is but trust me I’ve

what good food is but trust me I’ve walked through your grocery stores it’s

walked through your grocery stores it’s

walked through your grocery stores it’s awful it’s like that dial was turned

awful it’s like that dial was turned

awful it’s like that dial was turned down to four I mean when you can grow

down to four I mean when you can grow

down to four I mean when you can grow something for yourself when you can find

something for yourself when you can find

something for yourself when you can find someone to grow it for you it’s like

someone to grow it for you it’s like

someone to grow it for you it’s like it’s cranked on up to 11 and life is too

it’s cranked on up to 11 and life is too

it’s cranked on up to 11 and life is too short not to love everybody thank you

short not to love everybody thank you

short not to love everybody thank you [Applause]