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How much do you think about where your food comes from? What concerns drive the choices you make? In this episode, host Russ Roberts welcomes Washington Post food columnist Tamar Haspel for a fascinating conversation about the food we eat, the trade-offs we make, and the judgments about others that seem to follow.

1. What does Roberts mean when he says we don’t want to think much about our food? To what extent do you think that’s true, and why? What implications does this have for our diets? Our culture? The environment?
2. To what extent to we owe it to our animals to find out what makes them happy? How is this different for chickens versus the family dog?

3. How is fertilizer runoff an example of an externality problem? What ways does Roberts suggest that this problem might be solved? What does Haspel suggest? Which suggestion do you think holds the most promise, and why?

4. What kind of vegetables should be encouraged to maximize both calories and nutrition? Why is this so out of balance today, according to Haspel, and what can or should be done about it?

5. Do you grow any of your own food? If so, why do you do it? We’d love to hear your experiences.