On THE FOOD SEEN, Charlie Grosso, half of Baang and Burne gallery, and photographer, spans the globe, having explored food markets in over 20 countries and 70 cities around the world. Her “Wok the Dog” photo expose, brings the tastes, smells, and sights, from her childhood in Taipei, to our local streets. This episode is sponsored by The Barterhouse.

Rodney North and Equal Exchange have been providing alternative markets for food goods for small farmers across the world. Mariana Cotlear sits down with Rodney to talk about the true definition of fair trade, economics, and the history of Equal Exchange. Find out how the organization was founded around importing Nicaraguan coffee during the Reagan and Bush years despite a tight trade embargo. How does Equal Exchange circumvent "the middle man" to pay fair wages to producers and growers? Learn more about fair trade certification, and why certain certification measures will allow for plantation-grown crops to be labeled, despite a less-than-friendly market approach. This segment has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"If the farmer cooperatives that we work with are better off than they were before... we will have achieved something." [11:50] -- Rodney North of Equal Exchange