106. Finding Foodways: History, Culture and Cuisine with Ellen Letourneau and Claudia Kousoulas

Learn how a region's foodways can be one of the most fascinating tell the history and culture of a specific time and place. If you're interested in food, development and land use planning, and stories, this episode is for you!

Claudia Kousoulas and Ellen Letourneau are the co-authors of A Culinary History of Montgomery County, Maryland. This is the second book in which they have explored the food heritage of Montgomery County, the first being Bread and Beauty: A Year in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, which is full of beautiful photographs and wonderful recipes representing our region. Their current book is all about how the history of our area is tied in with food. In terms of where you live, looking at food history is a way of looking at how your culture and community have evolved over time. During this conversation, we hear lots of stories about the people and foodways of this region. We also talk about the history of Montgomery County and the Agricultural Preserve, the heritage of indigenous people in the region, development and land use planning, supply chain issues, and more. 

Topics Covered and Links:

• Bread and Beauty
• A Culinary History of Montgomery County, Maryland.
• Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve
• Eating as a Political Act
• Caroline Taylor on The Good Dirt
• Supply Chain Issues
• Tony Cohen on The Good Dirt
• Button Farm Living History Center
• Glen Echo Park
• Culinary Historians of Washington
• The Seneca Quarry
• The C and O Canal
• The Capital Crescent Trail
• TDR's or Transferable Development Rights
• Indigenous People of this Region
• Chataqua Movement
• Montgomery County Farm Women's Cooperative
• Bill Marriott and Hot Shoppes in D.C.
• Josiah Henson Museum

Connect with Ellen and Claudia:

• On Facebook @mococulinaryhistory
• Buy the Book, A Culinary History of Montgomery County, Maryland.

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Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.