A Conversation with Kristin Russell about local food systems and practical ways of improving them (Season 1: Episode 8)

Today’s conversation is with Kristin Russell who is well-established in the local food community of Savannah. I always enjoy speaking with Kristin because she has high ideals but takes a very practical approach to reaching them. We had a conversation a couple months ago that was intended to be a podcast, but I sort of forgot to hit record (which I only realized as our conversation was ended), so that will forever in my mind be known as the Podcast that Never Was. Since I didn't get a podcast out of it, but I really wanted to share some of Kristin's insights and practical approaches to activism, I wrote an article instead. You can read it here! In that conversation, Kristin and I talked a lot about her early life and how growing up on a family farm in Kansas has had a lasting impact on her life. Though her parents (half jokingly) forbade her and her sister from becoming farmers or marrying a farmer… the family farm as an institution has always remained close to Kristin’s heart and has left an indelible impression on the ethos that governs both of her food-related businesses. You can see her passion for reducing waste and supporting local farms and farmers on display through menu and business practices of the cafe she co-founded The Sentient Bean and in the subtle shifts and changes she has brought as the relatively new owner of the long-established health food market next door - Brighter Day. Kristin has also left her mark on the local food community in many other ways including as a founding member of the Forsyth Farmers Market and a board member of Georgia Organics. Kristin has a great perspective on local food and I always walk away from our conversations feeling inspired to keep making slow and steady progress toward a much better food system tomorrow than we have today!