49 episodes

For California Foodways, reporter Lisa Morehouse spends a lot of time in her car. She’s on a kind of mission: to travel to every county in the state, finding stories about food, agriculture, and -- most importantly -- the people that make both possible.

California Foodways Lisa Morehouse

    • History
    • 5.0 • 37 Ratings

For California Foodways, reporter Lisa Morehouse spends a lot of time in her car. She’s on a kind of mission: to travel to every county in the state, finding stories about food, agriculture, and -- most importantly -- the people that make both possible.

    The rich food traditions at Stockton's Angel Cruz Park

    The rich food traditions at Stockton's Angel Cruz Park

    Along the southern end of Stockton's Angel Cruz Park the air is filled with wafts of smoke, the smell of grilled meats and karaoke tracks booming out of speakers. For more than 30 years, this has been a destination for made-to-order dishes created by local food vendors, many of whom are Hmong and Cambodian immigrants. Locals argue over who has the best beef sticks or papaya salad.

    • 10 min
    The Often-Invisible Work of a Hollywood Food Stylist

    The Often-Invisible Work of a Hollywood Food Stylist

    Hollywood writers and actors are on strike, asking for transparency, fair pay, and protection from AI. They're not the only ones impacted by labor disputes. In this story, I share the reporting I did before the strikes began, to learn more about the often-invisible work of a Hollywood food stylist.

    • 15 min
    Farming With Ghosts: Mas Masumoto and an uncovered family secret

    Farming With Ghosts: Mas Masumoto and an uncovered family secret

    On his family’s organic peach, nectarine and grape farm south of Fresno, California, David "Mas" Masumoto points out pruning scars from long-time workers, and walks down rows of trees he planted with his father. He says the labor and lessons of his ancestors are in the soil and the grapevines and orchards, and he’s passing these on to the next generations.Mas is an author, too, who has delved into the stories of his farm and family in more than 10 books. In his latest, Secret Harvests (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/david-mas-masumoto/secret-harvests-separation/), Mas writes about the shock of a newly uncovered family secret. I've visited the Masumoto farm for years, picking luscious peaches and nectarines in summer. This time, I returned to hear what Mas learned about this hidden story, and how he rediscovered just how resilient his farming family is.

    Cafeteria Cook Makes Gourmet Dishes Inspired by Palauan Childhood

    Cafeteria Cook Makes Gourmet Dishes Inspired by Palauan Childhood

    For California Foodways, I've been traveling the state, interviewing farmers, restaurant owners, people who deliver food to the hungry, make frozen burritos, and grow coffee. But I realized that, even though there are so many cafeterias in our state -- at tech companies and prisons and hospitals -- I'd never reported on one. So in this story, I profile Brennan Temol…a guy who never takes his apron off. He spends all week cooking at the cafeteria, and all weekend cooking with family and friends. And in both kitchens, he draws on his culinary school training, and the flavors of his childhood–in the Pacific Island nation of Palau.

    • 11 min
    Hot temperatures, and a hot real estate market, threaten the Ojai Pixie tangerine

    Hot temperatures, and a hot real estate market, threaten the Ojai Pixie tangerine

    Ojai’s main street is charming, boasting tile roofs and Spanish-revival architecture. On weekends, crowds of the bohemian chic spill out of restaurants, boutiques and art galleries in the picturesque Ventura County town surrounded by orchards. The valley’s climate has been ideal for citrus, but it’s changing—getting windier, drier, and hotter. Some farmers are questioning whether agriculture even has a future in the Ojai Valley.

    • 14 min
    How a Hmong Market in Yuba County Became 'Everybody's Store'

    How a Hmong Market in Yuba County Became 'Everybody's Store'

    On the edge of the town of Marysville in Yuba County, there’s market with an inventory that would rival Asian grocery stories in big cities. In the back corner, you’ll find a small, bustling kitchen in the back corner. That’s where I became a fan of the dishes made here, and the woman behind them.

    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
37 Ratings

37 Ratings

J*Learner ,

Truly enjoyable and informative

I’m just starting this series and really enjoying the succinct episodes. So far my favorite has been the episode on Japanese American farmers in the WWII era. Did not realize the internees worked such large scale farms at Tule Lake during internment. Thank you.

doesnt wor ,

Binge Worthy!

Love Lisa and this amazing podcast, makes me want to take a road trip and visit all these places!

rhbourque ,

Riveting reporting

Despite my passion for local food and agriculture, I found so much to learn about - and savor! - in Lisa’s podcast. More, please!

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