Introductory podcast for the 2025 season. Tune in for updates about what to expect in 2025. Also, please share topics you would like to see us cover beginning in February 2025. We are looking for guests as we will offer video episodes with content experts in February or March of 2025. Stay tuned for that, in the meantime let us prepare for a healthy and happy gardening and food literacy season!

National Seed Swap Day is January 25, 2025. Check out the Cool Beans website for more information. Thinking of doing a seed swap this year check out the Cool Beans video on the topic?

Many of us who are advocates of home and community gardening, as well as urban farming, do so because we believe the future is a diversified food system, check out this video regarding why planning for the future is urgent.

Check out this interview on unlocking the secrets of longevity and healthspan from the Center for Food as Medicine. Here is another article to consider regarding the treatment of diet-related diseases versus prevention.

Finally, (and again I am not promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine), is food enough, or are other considerations required for health and well-being?

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the OCEAN-HP, the CPHP, the CUT, or the RWH podcast series. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. While the podcast is about food literacy, we offer no health advice and encourage our listeners to seek guidance from their healthcare providers.

We are signing out of the Food Literacy Podcast for 2024 and anticipate having a wonderful 2025 with episodes and resources devoted to all things food literacy from gardening to cooking to consumer information and exciting programming being planned for 2025 in Chicago. Stay tuned!

December 2024 Food Literacy Podcast Show Notes

Urban Farmer Zone 6 Planting Calendar Guide

Farmers’ Almanac Seed Starting 101

The Garden Magazine 15 Tips for Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Botanical Interests Seed-Starting for Beginners the Complete Guide

In the Garden Budget Indoor Seed Starting Set Up (Video: Tell us what you think and share other budget ideas you may have.)

MI Gardener The Easiest Seed Starting Mistakes to Avoid

Food Literacy

Satisfying Fruit and Vegetable Recommendations Possible for Under $3 Per Day

Harvard Chan School of Public Health No One Size Fits All For Improving Longevity

Contact Orrin Williams at orrinw@uic.edu

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the OCEAN-HP, or the CPHP. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. While the podcast is designed to promote the development of healthy communities through food literacy, we offer no health advice and encourage our listeners to seek guidance from their healthcare providers.

This is a very brief episode of the food literacy podcast so as usual pay attention to the show notes for what we hope is useful information. More importantly, I want to make sure to thank all of the people and organizations I work with throughout the year.

The new year is just about 7 weeks away and 39 days away from the winter solstice and the journey of the return of the sun and longer days. Spring arrives in just 128 days from the date of this recording. The last frost date is usually reported as April 15th for our USDA hardiness zone 6a but we know better and recommend using May 1st as the last frost date. There is no certainty about frost dates. See the chart here with a planting schedule for various crops and flowers you may find useful.

Here is an excellent article about the benefits of gardening that I think you will enjoy.

On the food as medicine front, I have a link to an American College of Lifestyle publication of 23 articles regarding food as medicine.

Finally, we have heard a lot about the impact sugar consumption has on health, so here is an article about how low sugar consumption early in life may cut the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. Perhaps these offerings will help you and your family make food choices during the upcoming holiday season.

I will close this brief episode before returning in December and beyond with plenty of information regarding programs from Chicago Grows Food and our partners. Have a wonderful holiday, and if possible, spend quality time with family and friends. Peace!

Contact Orrin Williams at orrinw@uic.edu

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the OCEAN-HP, or the CPHP. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. While the podcast is designed to promote the development of healthy communities through food literacy, we offer no health advice and encourage our listeners to seek guidance from their healthcare providers.