Meg Fama of The Farm Belly and Raquel Rivera of A Pinch of Salt are two long-time food business owners showing us what successful women-owned businesses can look like all while supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs. They talk about how and why they do what they do and the evolution of their businesses over the years; The Farm Belly from food truck to caterer to a new restaurant in New Haven, CT, and A Pinch of Salt through cooking experiences, food entrepreneur mentorship and training, plus...
Jul 28, 2025•55 min•Ep. 85
Mohammed Alqurnah is an agronomist, entomologist and Beekeeper living in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Hana' Maaiah is a Farmer and Beekeeper of Jordanian and Palestinian descent based in the upstate, NY. Hana' recently returned from a two month long trip visiting Mohammed and other beekeepers in the West Bank. These two passionate beekeepers share about their love of these beautiful honey producing creatures, the realities of living and keeping bees under Israeli occupation, as well as the...
Jun 19, 2025•55 min•Ep. 84
Growing food in the city is also an opportunity to grow community and healing in more ways than one. Dishaun Harris, aka Farmer D and the founder of Rootlife is a Black urban farmer and filmmaker manifesting the change he wants to see in his community. He stewards 5 community farms around the city of New Haven, CT and collaborates to create programs and events that nourish people’s bodies, minds, and spirits. Briana Mclean, one of Farmer D’s collaborators - is the talented cook behind the culina...
May 26, 2025•55 min•Ep. 83
Passionate policy advocates decipher food security and a farmland access bills, both up for a vote in CT this spring & let us know how and why to get involved. Guests include Reggy St. Fortcolin of Fridgeport and the Liberated Land Cooperative , Chelsea Gazillo of Working Lands Alliance and American Farmland Trust , and James Albis of Graff Public Solutions and a former State Representative for District 99. We discuss the ins and outs of the legislative process plus Bills: SB 1418: An Act Re...
Apr 01, 2025•54 min•Ep. 82
Welcome to the first episode of our 2025 re-launch of The Table Underground: stories of food, radical love and creative social justice! Our guests Cara Santino of CitySeed in New Haven, CT and Katrice Claudio of ReSET in Hartford share the skills and tools they use to support food business start-ups and give them a leg up on their delicious but challenging journeys.
Mar 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 81
A story short with Sandra and Miguel Pittman owners of Sandra's Next Generation Soul Food Restaurant in New Haven, CT. They share on their 32+ year journey as restaurateurs, being pillars in their community, and the family legacy they have fostered. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography
Sep 14, 2021•8 min•Ep. 80
A story short with Ms. Kim, owner of the oldest Asian market in New Haven, CT where she's been running this neighborhood institution with her personal touch for cooking and community since 1985. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography
Sep 14, 2021•7 min•Ep. 79
A story short with husband and wife team Shilmat & Wub Tessema on serving up traditional Ethiopian food and culture at their restaurant since 1999 plus the 24/7 demands of the kitchen and raising a family of three now grown children. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography
Sep 14, 2021•7 min•Ep. 78
A story short with Cositas Deliciosas owners Miguel Xicohtencatl & Cecilia Serrano - Speaking on their business and personal journey to establish this delicious Mexican fruit, juice, and take-out shop in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven, CT. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography...
Sep 14, 2021•8 min•Ep. 77
A story short with Elisha Hazel & Qulen Wright, owners of Caribbean Style Vegan restaurant in New Haven, CT. Sharing their passion for serving up life-giving Ital food with local ingredients, and learning the business ropes along the way. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Photography
Sep 14, 2021•8 min•Ep. 76
A story short with Francisco Mendez and Zenaida Muñoz on their experiences running their much loved food carts together with brother Carlos Mendez. They share on their evolution from cooks to cart owners, the Colombian style arepas they’re famous for, and what it’s like working out in the elements. Story series sponsored by Yale School of the Environment. Photos, slideshow and links at www.thetableunderground.com - Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver Music, Photographed by Maza Rey Pho...
Sep 09, 2021•7 min•Ep. 75
Digging into farm and food worker led organizing that’s, multi-sector, multi-racial and has the power to transform our food system by prioritizing people and the planet. With guest Navina Khanna. Episode hosted through the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale.
Mar 12, 2021•45 min•Ep. 74
Reparations in practice with this emerging investment fund collectively led by Black food ecosystem experts. Guest Melanie Allen, Program Director for the fund speaks on their work to build transformative supports for Black farmers and food entrepreneurs. This interview was hosted through the Center for Business at Yale. For more info go to www.thetableunderground.com
Feb 19, 2021•50 min•Ep. 73
Digging a little deeper into this Jewish festival of lights with rabbi in training May Ye; Illuminating injustices, sparking change, creating ritual with connections for Jews of Color, her journey and identity from secular Chinese American Jew into the rabbinate, and there's a little food talk too....More info + recipes at www.thetableunderground.com
Dec 11, 2020•44 min•Ep. 72
Youth leaders Jeremy Cajigas and Jamila Washington of the Citywide Youth Coalition in New Haven, CT share their perspectives on organizing protests for liberation and black lives; their groups demands for removing police and security guards from schools; divestment from police and investment in Black and Brown lives and communities; Bomba music and dance for resistance and celebrating #BlackJoy, and much more. Editing and Engineering by Jon Oliver Music.
Jun 26, 2020•43 min•Ep. 71
and the importance of rooting her restaurant in community, which is helping to sustain them through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jun 19, 2020•50 min•Ep. 70
CT Chefs Avi Sazpiro of Roia Restaurant, Raquel Rivera of A Pinch of Salt Culinary Education & Catering Company, and Aaron Lee of Yale University Dining & Heartfelt Catering speak to the many ways this pandemic is impacting their work and communities. See more at www.thetableunderground.com Produced by Tagan Engel, Edited by Jon Oliver
May 15, 2020•41 min•Ep. 69
Insights on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic from a wholesale produce distributor, an urban farmer / food justice educator, and tips on cooking in quarantine. Hear about massive shifts in the produce industry, mutual aid efforts to get free farm fresh food to families in need, and some recipe-free ways to prep food for the week, including what to do with dry beans, roasting veggies and more. With guests Maria Desarbo of Carbonella & Desarbo’s , Disha Patel of Common Ground High School &a...
Apr 17, 2020•46 min•Ep. 67
Fab culinary duo Liz Alpern & Jeffery Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria sit down (pre Covid-19 quarantine) to nosh and kibbitz about old family recipes, the wide spectrum of Jewish ethnic cuisines, Asha-normativity, producing tons of great gefilte fish each year, liberation stories, and passover traditions.
Apr 03, 2020•59 min•Ep. 66
Chef, activist, and author Bryant Terry on his newest plant-based cookbook - cooking for his kids - uplifting Black and Asian food traditions - and collective actions to transform our "messed up food system".
Mar 13, 2020•50 min•Ep. 65
This homemade coconut milk based cocktail is the pride of the Puerto Rican holiday season. Guests Addys Castillo, and champion coquito maker Aida Casanova talk family recipes, parranda (caroling) traditions, and the complexities and joys of Puerto Rican history and heritage.
Dec 13, 2019•51 min•Ep. 64
Three women speak on the realities of hunger and poverty and their inspiring advocacy work through the group Witnesses To Hunger. With guests Susan Harris, Junie Cullum, and Wanda Perez.
Nov 29, 2019•52 min•Ep. 63
Fall food adventures help heal depression, Chicken & Sweet Potato Dumpling soup, front porch living in the Hood, talking to strangers = fun food finds = dosa making and heirloom apple munching in VT. W/ guests Babz Rawls Ivy, Frankie Douglass, and Chef Stephen Ross.
Nov 01, 2019•47 min•Ep. 61
Giselle Cando & Anajja Stevenson talk about starting their own businesses, working in community gardens, and life as teens in the world today. Feat. the Growing Entrepreneurs Program of the New Haven Land Trust.
Oct 18, 2019•46 min•Ep. 62
Host Tagan Engel speaks about her recent trip to Berlin to partner with a group doing transformational education work around the Nazi death camp, Sobibor, her Grandparents escaped form in 1943.
Oct 06, 2019•52 min•Ep. 60
Atticus Bakery & Bookstore manager Charlie Negaro Jr and baker Josh Kanter talk about their glorious infatuation with sourdough bread making & grain growing - two exceptional new ventures for this 2nd generation establishment in New Haven, CT.
Sep 20, 2019•52 min•Ep. 59
An inspired chef shares his mission for bringing life giving food into the Black community, his journey from Dishwasher to Sous Chef in Yale University Dining, and the stereotypes he deals with as a young Black Chef.
Jul 12, 2019•50 min•Ep. 58
Iroquois Strawberry Drink, Mohegan friendship berries, Sexy Strawberry Vinaigrette, Black food wisdom, Grandma's Jam, the berry pickers boycott, and more! Guests Rachel Sayet, Raquel Pablo Rivera, and Farron Harvey dig in with host Tagan Engel on, culture, race, joy, and liberation through strawberries.
Jun 28, 2019•52 min•Ep. 57
Ep. 55 When Women Chefs Run The Kitchen Robin Bodak (co-owner and head chef) and Dignity Maille (cook) at the restaurant Next Door in New Haven, CT talk about their women-centric kitchen culture, outstanding and unpretentious food, Tanzanian hummus, popped sorghum, and salty caramel & ash no-dairy ice cream. We also chat about cultural appropriation vs kitchen creativity, race, and the real challenges of running a restaurant that values both their workers and local farmers. More info at www....
Jun 14, 2019•48 min•Ep. 55
A collection of short stories on the lives and work of twelve people who explore the landscape of race, change making, education & community around Connecticut. Host Tagan Engel recorded these stories and more as part of a larger multi media project in 2018 to mark the 25th anniversary year of the Graustein Memorial Fund. To learn more go to www.thetableunderground.com
May 31, 2019•47 min•Ep. 55
