Episode 103: An American Food Trip

In May of 2011, we set out across the country to tell the stories of Real Food in America. We recorded 7 Terabytes of footage, travelled 23,000 miles across 42 states and made 50 short films (one a week) for a year. This video comprises some of our favorite moments from the road…

  • Falnfenix

    i found you two through the Serious Eats post on squirrel hunting (and nearly lost it, because I always thought SE was extremely liberal and anti-hunting), and i stuck around to see everything else.  i’m still getting caught up on season 1.  thanks for doing this…not just for my own enjoyment, but for the eye-opening experiences you’ve shared with the rest of us.  so few people have a clue about the things they put in their mouths, and it’s nice to see these videos.

    also, while you didn’t inspire my future plans with my partner, you’ve certainly helped push us in the direction of moving west, buying land, and starting a farm.  we moved our plans up from “maybe in ten years” to four years from now. 

    do you think you’ll do any more videos, or are you signing off?

    • danielpklein

      We are not signing off, there will be more videos. announcement sometime in June. So happy you have enjoyed and learned – good luck on your move west and the challenge of farming

      • Falnfenix

        woo!  that’s happy news. :D

        and thanks.  fingers crossed that things actually go well for us.  the other half is a total city boy…i don’t know how well he’ll fare the first year out there.  should be interesting, to say the least.

  • Maryq

    I have enjoyed every single thing you’ve done and am grateful to your sense of curiosity and spirit of adventure, it’s been great vicarious fun to travel with you both on your journey thus far.
    Congratulations!
    Mary

    • danielpklein

      Thanks Mary, hope to see you soon

  • Rrobflyhang

    velly velly kool…so glad to follow your blog….looking forward to moe…..All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter, Not All Who Wander Are Lost…..Don Roberto of Chapel Hill, NC

  • Robin Carlson

    Thank you, thank you for educating me and making me more aware of where my food comes from and teaching me so much.  I look forward to more of your stories and adventures and wish you and Mirra much success in your future endeavors.

    • danielpklein

      Thank you Robin – we appreciate you coming along for the ride

  • Janice

    Thanks for taking us on a great ride.

  • b000gie

    nice work you two.  an amazing body of work. onward!

  • Foody 2 and Oliver

    You two have made a hugh imprint in the hearts of of all you met on this first journey, and in our minds. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you both…give me a moment while I work at digesting these episodes.
    Kudos!!!

  • Jyll

    I’ve been enlightened, brought to tears, angered, overjoyed and become a consumer of heirloom grains (Anson Mills – YES!) thanks to The Perennial Plate videos. Thank you for your dedication to people – to someone like me, who gains so much from your perspectives; and to the fabulous cast of characters featured in your episodes to whom you’ve given a voice and an audience – people that I have listened to and not just heard. Thank you Daniel and Mirra. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

    • danielpklein

      All good emotions.  Thanks for watching and continuing to watch!

  • ltcookies

    This is still by far one of the greatest series I’ve stumbled across. Thank you for sharing your experiences and educating me more on food in general. One of my favorite episodes to date is the taste of Vietnam one, love the camera work and editing. Please keep making more of these videos in the future, I look forward to Season 3. Oh, and 7 terabytes of footage?!? That’s crazy, crazy I say! =)

    • danielpklein

      yeah, its a lot space. that vietnam video alone took up 1/3 Terabyte

  • Dane Schmitt

    I fear that what I’m about to write will not be nearly as eloquent as you deserve; however, I will try… I’ve watched all 103 episodes of your show over the past two years (almost in real time).  I, like most, have my favorites.  Sometimes it’s the story that you tell that moves me, and other times it is the way in which you tell it.  After watching this episode,  I am absolutely blown away at how far you two have come with regards to your film making. From the amazing shots, an outstanding edit, and a fantastic soundtrack,  this video was so well done.  Bravo on a great second season, and I am very much looking forward to what you have in store for all of us in season 3.

    • danielpklein

      thank you so much for your kind words.  really means a lot

  • http://blog.junbelen.com/ Jun Belen

    Congratulations!  I’m a new reader and I’m loving your site!

    • danielpklein

      thank you Jun

  • Diane Wolfe

    I can’t thank you enough for creating such a broad vision of food and its sources. I hope we never forget the hands that pick and plant and work in greenhouses. Thank you for your inclusive story that has made room for all voices.

    • danielpklein

      it is fun to look back and see all the different stories, hopefully there will be many more

  • Josh

    Amazing series, poignant, riveting, always thought provoking (with a killer soundtrack-thank you Daniel and Mirra. Looking forward to more from you two.

    • danielpklein

      thanks Josh

  • Kevin

    Amazing!

    You guys have become killer montage-ists.

    • danielpklein

      my favorite time suck is apple trailers, so i’ve been studying!

  • Misselaine

    Thanks for an awesome year in food. It’s good to know that all has not been lost to big mechanized farming and mega corporations.

  • http://twitter.com/communityoven Annie Hoy

    Daniel & Mirra. It’s hard to believe that almost an entire year has passed since your wonderful visit to Ashland, OR and our Ashland Food Co-op. We’ve loved following you around the country with this series, and of course seeing our faces in episodes. As we get ready to celebrate another 4th of July, we’ll fondly remember your visit and the fun everyone had showing you around. Thanks for everything. 

  • Nina

    You two have absolutely changed my life. It started by reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma several years ago and then signing up for your blog’s mailing list at…I think it was the Minnesota State Fair. :) Both of you have taught me to value food so much more having seen the work that goes into growing the food I eat, raising and then ending the lives of the animals I consume. Now I don’t mind spending extra money for a chicken raised on pasture from a local farmer or waiting for tomatoes to be in season at my neighborhood farmer’s market. And I have taken the words of the mother from “God’s Country” to heart….that there is a cost, not just in money, but in our health with our agricultural practices and that it truly matters what we eat. So thank you- to all the people who agreed to be filmed for your series, and to you for sharing with us. I can’t wait to find out what future journeys will reveal and teach. :)

  • Robin

    AWESOME Stuff!!
    Been watching your videos from 1-105 in 2 days now!! :)
    Treehugger brought me here!
    I’m from Germany, Am searching for Broke “Stabbin’ the Track” that song is really awesome!
    But no chance to find it on google, even not on google.com where did you got it from??
    Thanks and keep the good work up!! What are you doing with all these terrabytes??
    Creating something bigger?
    Greets Rob

  • Anil Shenoy

    Keep up the good work.. god bless.. what you are attempting to do addresses global issues

  • http://www.facebook.com/georgieva.anna Anna Georgieva

    I have just discovered your videos today and I am instantly addicted. Have been sharing links with many friends on facebook already. They are absolutely fantastic, thank you!