Food Freedom Radio
Saturdays 8AM - 9AM
Food Freedom Radio envisions a food system respectful of water, soil, planet and people. We work towards a historic transformation. How do we move from food production being a source of economic, social and ecological destruction? How do we move towards a food system which is a source of clean water, healthy soil, and a toxin-free environment?
Host Laura Hedlund. Laura earned a certificate in Urban Farming from PRI Cold Climate, helped to start a community garden in 2008 which is now part of the Open Door Pantry and grows blueberries, hazelnuts, gooseberries and more. She has worked at AM950 since 2004. She served as Deputy Press Secretary for Paul Wellstone’s 1990 US Senate campaign, Press Secretary for David Minge’s 1992 US Congressional Campaign, Public Relations Director for a 25,000 member Girl Scout council and she worked as television reporter.
Food Freedom Radio envisions a food system respectful of water, soil, planet and people. We work towards a historic transformation. How do we move from food production being a source of economic, social and ecological destruction? How do we move towards a food system which is a source of clean water, healthy soil, and a toxin-free environment? Host Laura Hedlund. Laura earned a certificate in Urban Farming from PRI Cold Climate, helped to start a community garden in 2008 which is now part of the Open Door Pantry and grows blueberries, hazelnuts, gooseberries and more. She has worked at AM950 since 2004. She served as Deputy Press Secretary for Paul Wellstone’s 1990 US Senate campaign, Press Secretary for David Minge’s 1992 US Congressional Campaign, Public Relations Director for a 25,000 member Girl Scout council and she worked as television reporter.
Laura Hedlund speaks with Michael Wright, Executive Director of Biomimetics International, to explore the exciting concept of the “Biosverse” and its potential for creating sustainable solutions by modeling nature’s 4-billion-year history of research and development. They discuss how systems thinking, biosensing, and embracing complexity can help solve huge challenges like plastics and pollution, leading to…
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Laura has a lively discussion with filmmaker Graham Meriwether about the essence of food freedom, its profound connection to human nature, and his journey from poet to documentarian focused on agricultural solutions. They delve into the unspoken debates within the food freedom movement, highlighting the power of local food systems as a path to economic…
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Host Laura Hedlund welcomes Jorge Azevedo, CEO of Fermented Foods Holdings, to explore why humans are “more than 99% microbial” and how fermented foods support our gut health. Jorge discusses his company’s popular brands, including Bubbies, Wildbrine, and Flanagan Farm, and explains how true fermentation differs from pickling with vinegar. The conversation also digs into…
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Host Laura Hedlund welcomes Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports, to discuss the battle for food safety and transparency. They expose a new, misleadingly named industry group (“Americans for Ingredient Transparency”) that is actively trying to block state-level laws that ban toxic chemicals in products like baby food. Brian also shares findings…
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Laura Hedlund welcomes Andrew Zimmern (four-time James Beard Award winner, TV personality, and chef) for a deeply engaging conversation on the complex intersection of food, sustainability, and non-violence. We explore Zimmern’s personal journey, the ethical dilemmas of the modern chef, and the surprising economic and moral implications of eliminating childhood hunger. Discover why food systems are…
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Laura Hedlund speaks with Allison Hohn, Executive Director at Naturally MN, about the impactful Food. Ag. Ideas conference that recently took place. Now in its eighth year, this must-attend gathering led by Naturally MN focused on the intersection of food and health, drawing attendees from Minnesota and beyond to explore how innovation is shaping the…
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On this episode of *Food Freedom Radio*, host Laura Hedlund talks with Eric Sannerud about GrownBy (https://grownby.com), a farmer-owned platform that connects farmers directly with eaters. They discuss how this innovative tool supports local food systems, strengthens family farms, and makes it easier for consumers to access sustainable, fresh food. Tune in to learn how…
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This week Laura visits with Thom Petersen, Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture. He shares experiencing Farm Aid 40held at the University of Minnesota on September 20, 2025.
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This week Laura Hedlund was joined by chef Lachelle Cunningham.
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On this episode of Food Freedom Radio, host Laura Hedlund talks with Sonja Trom Eayrs, author of Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America, winner of the 2025 Midwest Book Award. They discuss how corporate agriculture has reshaped rural communities and what it means for the future of family farms and…
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