The Gefilteria Crew On Passover & Reimagining Ashkenazi Foods The Table Underground podcast

55:01

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 culinary business By Bri Marie . With a focus on plant-based ingredients, she cooks up well seasoned dishes at the farm-based classes and as part of her weekly prepared meals and catering services. Briana and Dishaun joined me to talk about food as medicine, community and liberation. More info at www.thetableunderground.com and check out Rootlife's new documentary: Black, Brown & Green: A Digital Palette Of Agriculture In Elm City (New Haven, CT) and join the Liberated Land Cooperative's CSA - farm share delivery from CT Black and Brown farmers.…

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Demystifying Food & Land Policy in CT 2025 53:45

9 weeks ago53:45

53:45

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 Reducing Barriers to Food Security & HB 5064 Is An Act Concerning An Option To Purchase Restricted Agricultural Lands at Agricultural Value which will create a larger land access program at the CT Department of Agriculture. For a simple language breakdown and details on how to get involved in the food security bill, check out this fab link tree - and for regular folk language of the farmland access bill check the Working Lands Alliance 2025 Priorities . Go to www.thetableunderground.com for more info. We are happy to broadcast on WPKN community radio, 89.5fm in Bridgeport, CT…

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Supporting Food Entrepreneurs w/ReSET & CitySeed 53:48

13 weeks ago53:48

53:48

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.…

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Sandra's Next Generation Soul Food - Telling Their Story 7:51

4 years ago7:51

7:51

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…

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Oriental Pantry - Telling Their Story 6:42

4 years ago6:42

6:42

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…

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Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant - Telling Their Story 6:48

4 years ago6:48

6:48

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…

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Cositas Deliciosas - Telling Their Story 8:13

4 years ago8:13

8:13

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…

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Caribbean Style Vegan - Telling Their Story 8:17

4 years ago8:17

8:17

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…

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Portabello Latin Food Cart - Telling Their Story 6:54

4 years ago6:54

6:54

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 Photography…

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Building Power for Change w/ HEAL Food Alliance 45:20

4 years ago45:20

45:20

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.

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The Black Farmer Fund & Reparative Investing 49:41

4 years ago49:41

49:41

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…

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Shining a Light on Hanukkah with May Ye 43:30

4 years ago43:30

43:30

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…

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Youth Leading Protests for Black Lives & Police Abolition 42:36

5 years ago42:36

42:36

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.…

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Juneteenth and Black Foodways with Adrian Lipscombe 49:44

5 years ago49:44

49:44

and the importance of rooting her restaurant in community, which is helping to sustain them through the Covid-19 pandemic.

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3 Chefs - 3 Perspectives on the Covid Shutdown 40:59

5 years ago40:59

40:59

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…

The Table Underground

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Our Food in the Time of Quarantine: 3 Perspectives 45:41

5 years ago45:41

45:41

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 & Urban Farm , and host Tagan Engel.…

The Table Underground

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The Gefilteria Crew on Passover & Reimagining Ashkenazi Foods 59:28

5 years ago59:28

59:28

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.…

The Table Underground

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Bryant Terry & Vegetable Kingdom 49:31

5 years ago49:31

49:31

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".

The Table Underground

1
Coquito Season 51:21

5 years ago51:21

51:21

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.

The Table Underground

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Witnesses To Hunger 51:54

6 years ago51:54

51:54

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.

The Table Underground

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The Food Squad Fall Edition 2019 Live 47:16

6 years ago47:16

47:16

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.

The Table Underground

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Teen Entrepreneurs Inspired by Gardens 45:42

6 years ago45:42

45:42

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.

The Table Underground

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Berlin, Reparations, and The Holocaust 52:02

6 years ago52:02

52:02

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.

The Table Underground

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Sourdough Geek Out 51:56

6 years ago51:56

51:56

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.

The Table Underground

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Heartfelt Cooking with Aaron Lee 49:35

6 years ago49:35

49:35

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.

The Table Underground

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The Food Squad Does Strawberries 52:19

6 years ago52:19

52:19

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.…

The Table Underground

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When Women Chefs Run The Kitchen 47:42

6 years ago47:42

47:42

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.thetableunderground.com…

The Table Underground

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STORYSCAPE 46:36

6 years ago46:36

46:36

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…

The Table Underground

1
Forest Honey - supporting beekeepers & the environment in Ethiopia 50:58

6 years ago50:58

50:58

Entrepreneur Ariana Yuen shares the successes and challenges of starting her new single origin honey business based in the Gera Forest in Ethiopia.

The Table Underground

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Striving for Reparations: Land, Food, and Self-Determination in the North Philly Peace Park 55:45

6 years ago55:45

55:45

Brother Tommy Joshua Caison, co-founder and Director of the North Philly Peace Park talks about transformative healing and fence free food forests within this African American community.

The Table Underground

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Yoruba Orisa Tradition in Practice 51:00

6 years ago51:00

51:00

Babalawo, Priest of Ifa, and Clinical Social Worker Enroue Halfkenny, Onigbana Sangofemi (and husband of host Tagan Engel ;-) shares an overview of the traditional religion of the Yoruba people, and what it looks like in daily life. He speaks on this indigenous African tradition as a path towards personal and communal healing and a wholistic framework for healing our broken society.…

The Table Underground

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Rebroadcast: Maple Moon, City Tree Tapping & Grits n' Gravy 45:03

6 years ago45:03

45:03

Rebroadcast of a 2017 three part show: Maple Moon Season with Mohegan educator Rachel Sayet - Tapping maple trees and boiling syrup in the city with 8 year old Sam - and Marshal Cruz shares the wild story of how he started cooking and his dreams of opening a Grits ‘n Gravy food truck.

The Table Underground

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Growing Compost in the City 44:28

6 years ago44:28

44:28

Entrepreneur Domingo Medina, explains how he’s improving the environment through Peels & Wheels Compost, his bike, solar, and people powered composting business.

The Table Underground

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A Community of Food Entrepreneurs Grows In Bridgeport with a Pinch Of Salt 49:28

6 years ago49:28

49:28

Guests from A Pinch of Salt, Dave’s Angry Sauce, and Love Breakfast talk about their passions for food, supporting Black and Brown owned food businesses, and spreading fresh food love in their communities.

The Table Underground

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The POWER OF SOUP with Sopa! and Soup & Salaam 52:23

6 years ago52:23

52:23

Guests Eric Rey and Sumiya Khan talk about their two ventures which use soup as a vehicle for sharing culture, building community, and supporting entrepreneurship. Sopa! is a soup subscription company started by Eric and his brother Alejandro to spread love and build their relationship. Soup & Salaam: Creating Community Over Soup and Conversation is part of Sanctuary Kitchen which works with chefs who are refugees in New Haven, CT.…

The Table Underground

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Farming While Black 45:54

6 years ago45:54

45:54

Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm on her new book Farming While Black, the Afro/Indigenous roots of sustainable agriculture and the work of supporting people of color in finding liberation on land.

The Table Underground

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Three Fab Food Folks - Live Show 49:05

6 years ago49:05

49:05

Three enthusiastic New Haven, CT food system change agents share their personal journeys, as well as their visions and practices for transformative change...oh and some fun food stuff too... with Guests Latha Swamy, Genesis Vicente, and Austin Bryniarski

The Table Underground

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Thanksgiving Resources & Reflections from Mohegan Educator Rachel Sayet 50:19

7 years ago50:19

50:19

Three indigenous educators talk about giving thanks, true history, native foods and how they handle Thanksgiving each year. AND, check www.thetableunderground.com for a new post by Mohegan educator

The Table Underground

1
Hood Health 46:01

7 years ago46:01

46:01

Co-Editor of The Hood Health Handbook Alife Allah on health wisdom in Black & Brown communities, systemic change, hip hop as inspiration, playing in the park, and his journey into health justice work..

The Table Underground

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75th Anniversary of an Uprising: Reflecting on my Grandparent's Escape from Sobibor 46:55

7 years ago46:55

46:55

Host Tagan Engel speaks with her husband Enroue Halfkenny, a healer and therapist about her recent trip to Poland to mark the 75th Anniversary of the mass uprising, and her grandparents escape from the Nazi death camp Sobibor.

The Table Underground

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Fighting for Micro Food Businesses 50:34

7 years ago50:34

50:34

Pie baker and serial entrepreneur Mubarakah Ibrahim is on a mission to fix local policies to support micro-food businesses like her's. With a step by step conversation on how to start a food business, and being the change you want to see!

The Table Underground

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4 Teens on Race & Education in Schools 45:48

7 years ago45:48

45:48

Four New Haven, CT Public School students share their experiences and insights on how race shows up in schools and how it impacts their lives and learning, including: the importance of curriculum that centers people of color, overcoming internalized racism, the need for teachers of color, metal detectors and security guards in schools and so much more.…

The Table Underground

1
Pottery Beast - Roberto Lugo 53:52

7 years ago53:52

53:52

Ceramic artist Rob Lugo speaks on his incredible journey from graffiti to the pottery wheel, the importance of seeing people of color in art, and his inspirations as an Afro-Latino from Kensington, Philly.

The Table Underground

1
Girl Power Books 50:23

7 years ago50:23

50:23

10 year-old girl, Tomistela Engel-Halfkenny shares her favorite books featuring inspiring girls and women including many black and brown women in HERstory... and how reading them impacts her view of herself.

The Table Underground

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THE FOOD SQUAD: Summer Food Finds (Live Show) 2018 Update 47:48

7 years ago47:48