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Artwork for The History of Fresh Produce

The History of Fresh Produce

The Produce Industry Network
Agriculture
Apples
Joseph Banks
Pineapple
East India Company
Cornell University
China
Botany
Colonial America
Cider
World War II
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Citrus Industry
George Washington Carver
Cherries
Roman Empire
Carrots
Botany Bay
Ancient Greece
Tea

Join John Paap and Patrick Kelly in this podcast series that explores the fascinating and often overlooked history of fresh fruits and vegetables. Each episode offers listeners a unique perspective on how produce has shaped our world, featuring in-depth interviews with top experts and historians, engaging storytelling, and a blend of historical and contemporary perspectives. Whether exploring the ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes139Founded2 years ago
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FoodHistoryArts

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Artwork for The History of Fresh Produce

Latest Episodes

Who was John Francis Queeny, the broke Irish-American salesman who founded one of the most powerful and controversial companies in the history of modern agriculture - without knowing the first thing about chemistry? Why did a secret deal with Coca-Co... more

Who is Bill Gates, the college dropout from Seattle who built the operating system of global capitalism - and then turned his restless, problem-solving mind to the oldest human activity of all: growing food? Why did his six-billion-dollar mission to ... more

What is huitlacoche, the fungus that Indigenous farmers in Mexico gave thanks for at harvest - and that American agronomists spent a century trying to burn, quarantine, and breed out of existence? Why did two civilizations look at the same diseased c... more

What is plastic, and how did a shortage of billiard balls accidentally give birth to the material that would feed the modern world? Why did a Belgian chemist rummaging through coal tar waste end up transforming the way humanity eats? And how does the... more

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Recent Guests

Sadie Cooper
Cornell University student interested in plant breeding
Cornell University
Episode: Cornellian Chats: Van Gogh, Organics, Tomatoes on Trial, and Freeze!
Tricia Saxon
Cornell University student exploring food safety
Cornell University
Episode: Cornellian Chats: Van Gogh, Organics, Tomatoes on Trial, and Freeze!
Louis De Jaeger
Author of the book SOS Save Our Soils
Episode: Beneath Our Feet: The Hidden History of Soil
Ah Bing
Chinese laborer who worked for the Lewelling family and had a cherry cultivar named after him
Episode: The Lewellings: Legacies Secured (Part 6)
Dario Durham
A photographer, content creator, and co-host of the podcast, 77 Flavors of Chicago
77 Flavors of Chicago
Episode: HFPC: African American Foodways and Fresh Produce in Chicago
Michael Twitty
African-American culinary historian, educator, and author of The Cooking Gene
Episode: America's Forgotten Farmers (Livestream)
Corey Earle
Expert on Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Cornell: A History of Agricultural Leadership and Fresh Produce Innovation
Giles Milton
International best-selling author and writer of narrative history, known for his work in the spice trade area.
Author of 'Nathaniel's Nutmeg'
Episode: The Spice Trade Wars: Nutmeg and the Clash of Empires (Part 1)
Dr. Marie Favereau
Leading historian of the Mongol Empire and author of 'The Horde, How the Mongols Changed the World'
Episode: The Mongol Empire's Agricultural Legacy

Hosts

John Paap
Host with extensive involvement in historical produce topics; collaborates on episodes covering global agricultural history and cultural significance of crops.
Patrick Kelly
Co-host focusing on storytelling and research-driven explorations of produce history, policy, and industry impact.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Wow and Wow

    What an amazing show and history of Ag!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheOGWonderWomen
    United States7 months ago
  • Education

    I'm consistently captivated by "The History of Fresh Produce" podcast. John Paap and Patrick Kelly expertly unearth the fascinating and often surprising stories behind our favorite fruits and vegetables, revealing how these crops have profoundly shaped cultures and societies throughout history. Their engaging storytelling, combined with insightful interviews, makes each episode a truly unique and enlightening journey into the origins and evolution of fresh produce.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Acrostar7
    United Statesa year ago
  • A Completely Unique Podcast

    There isn’t another podcast to consistently post informative information in a fun and entertaining way!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jack GMUN
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love this podcast

    Informative and entertaining take on history through the lens of fruits and veggies! Cool idea!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Solowoman07
    Australiaa year ago
  • Eye opening and very helpful!

    John and Patrick have a real niche for this podcast. My wife and I are really into organic, natural food, and it’s history. This is masterfully done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alex J Sanfilippo
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts deliver accessible yet deep dives with strong storytelling.
Unique lens on food history blending culture, policy, and science.
Engaging, well-researched history of produce and its global impact.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#131
Colombia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joseph Banks: The End of the Journey, Not the Influence (Part 7)
Q: What kept Joseph Banks engaged in science despite his declining health?
His steadfast commitment to discovery and connecting people in the scientific community fueled his desire to contribute, even as he faced physically debilitating conditions.
HFPC: African American Foodways and Fresh Produce in Chicago
Q: What fresh produce was central to Southern cuisine, and how was it sourced in Chicago?
Dario Durham explains that African Americans took what they knew from the South and adapted it in Chicago, using available ingredients and creating new dishes like rib tips from scraps.
America's Forgotten Farmers (Livestream)
Q: What impact did the Great Migration have on agricultural knowledge?
Twitty discusses that the Great Migration led to a significant loss of agricultural knowledge as many African-Americans moved from rural to urban areas.
America's Forgotten Farmers (Livestream)
Q: Can you paint us a picture of what that scene looked like post-Civil War for the African-American farmer and their role on the land?
Michael Twitty explains that formerly enslaved African Americans came in different groups, some with property, and faced challenges in claiming land post-Civil War due to government opposition.
Cornell: A History of Agricultural Leadership and Fresh Produce Innovation
Q: What were the impacts of the agriculture programs initiated at Cornell?
The programs have significantly shaped the food we eat today, contributing to the development of numerous varieties and offering research that benefits farmers locally and globally.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The History of Fresh Produce

What is The History of Fresh Produce about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show explores the largely overlooked history of fresh produce, weaving narratives around how fruits and vegetables have shaped economies, cultures, and daily life. Episodes survey topics from ancient agriculture and imperial trade to modern packaging, dietary guidelines, and contemporary food culture, often lacing history with science and industry insights. Noteworthy are deep dives into the rise of plastics in packaging, the globalization of crop varieties, and the social and political dimensions of food systems, all delivered with engaging storytelling and attention to archival detail. This mix of rigorous research and approachable storytelling likely appeals to listeners who enjoy food history, sustainability, and the crossover betwe... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The History of Fresh Produce?

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1. Short History Of...
2. The Rest Is History
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4. American History Hit
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How many episodes of The History of Fresh Produce are there?

The History of Fresh Produce launched 2 years ago and published 139 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The History of Fresh Produce?

Recent guests on The History of Fresh Produce include:

1. Sadie Cooper
2. Tricia Saxon
3. Louis De Jaeger
4. Ah Bing
5. Dario Durham
6. Michael Twitty
7. Corey Earle
8. Giles Milton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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