Learn about the history of vegetarianism and veganism with Rynn Berry. Rynn joins Linda Pelaccio in the studio to talk vegetables, raw food, and animal rights. Rynn is a historical adviser to the North American Vegetarian Society and is on the Advisory Board of Earth Save. In his lectures, articles, and books, he has specialized in the study of vegetarianism from an historical perspective. Tune into this episode to hear Rynn and Linda discuss the cultural and religious significance of a plant-based diet. Why has vegetarianism become popular in the past fifty years? Learn about the historical link between vegetarians and abolitionists, and the health considerations of a meat-heavy lifestyle. Listen in to learn about some famous vegetarians throughout history! This program has been brought to you by Whole Foods.

"Vegetarianism often has a religious impetus; it is not entirely a secular movement." [12:25]

"People have been consuming raw food for eons. Cooking food was not financially expedient until recently." [24:50]

-- Rynn Berry on A Taste of the Past

On this week's A Taste of the Past, Linda Pelaccio hosts famed food writer Andrew Smith to talk about the history of the hamburger and the emergence of McDonald's, one of Smith's thirty most important food moments in American history.

This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda Pelaccio explores the history of public markets and meat supplies in New York City with Gergely Baics, Assistant Professor of History and Urban Studies at Barnard College. Tune in to learn about food provisioning and local markets and how policy and seasonality play into the proteins made available to the public in urban areas. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.