We often think of food as something that comes neatly packaged—off supermarket shelves or from diet charts. But not too long ago, food came from memory. From forest trails, backyard gardens, from what grandmothers foraged, dried, pickled, and preserved.
A handful of millets. A wild berry. Tubers after the rains.
They weren’t “organic” or “superfoods”—they were simply what nourished us.
Slowly, these foods vanished from our plates—replaced by polished rice, packaged snacks, and a growing distance from the land. What disappeared was not just nutrition, but also identity. Yet, in a world of climate change and rising malnutrition, these forgotten foods might just hold the answers for the future.
In this episode, we’re joined by Rohan Mukerjee, Programme Coordinator – Biodiversity Conservation at Keystone Foundation, an organization working since 1993 to strengthen food security, biodiversity, and community well-being, especially among tribal and indigenous populations.
We explore:
• What “forgotten foods” really mean—and why they disappeared
• How market-driven agriculture has altered traditional diets and nutrition
• Why millets, tubers, and wild greens are climate-resilient future foods
• How to shift the perception that these are “backward” foods
• And one dish you must try at least once in your life
If you care about food, climate, or community resilience—or are simply curious about what once grew in our backyards—this episode is for you.
About Nutrition Every Day: A special podcast series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, bringing grounded, sharp insights on health and nutrition.
Credits
Host: Shreya M
Guest: Rohan Mukerjee
Research: Alisha C
Artwork: Rajnikant S
Produced by: The Good Sight
Concept: The Good Sight & Rise Against Hunger India
For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org
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