When you talk to Dana Cowin about healing the planet, her eyes immediately light up. It's not the typical reaction you see when bringing up climate change, but Dana, the founder of Progressive Hedonist and former long-time editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, has always possessed a magnetic energy that draws people in. You want to be part of whatever she’s building – whether it's a leading media publication or a platform and community conceptualized to bring conversations about our food system to the forefront.
While the narrative about climate change is so frequently one of despair, Dana’s genuine warmth and enthusiasm feels refreshingly hopeful. It’s her mission with Progressive Hedonist to spread that hope through meaningful events where people can gather and share ideas, through interviews on her podcast, and through advocacy work that empowers individuals to contribute to the movement. Everything counts. And anything is possible when we all pitch in.
This ethos is on full display in Zero Foodprint’s Unfork the Planet Earth Month campaign that Dana and Progressive Hedonist are supporting in San Francisco. (Read more about how to support efforts in + outside of SF here.) It’s a simple construct that invites everyone to the table. Make a reservation at a participating restaurant. Share the campaign on social. Encourage your favorite local restaurant to join in. When all these small actions come together, that’s where the magic happens.
Dana calls herself a “Progressive Hedonist,” but we see her as a “Progressive Optimist.” As a seasoned media visionary (she helmed Food & Wine for 21 years!), she’s usually the one asking the questions, but today, we have her in the Pasta People hot seat.
Read on for more about her incredible mission, and how you can be part of it.
What does it mean to be a “Progressive Hedonist”?
Progressive Hedonists believe that positive action is the antidote to fear and anxiety, that making small and consistent changes in how we cook, eat and shop can be unexpectedly joyous and profoundly impactful. We welcome everyone to join, no shame, no action is too small to start the journey to nourish yourself while nourishing the planet.
We were blown away when we first started learning about regenerative agriculture. Tell us about your “aha moment,” and how it changed your perspective on the food system.
My perspective on the food system has been unfolding like a time-lapse, slow-motion blooming of a flower. My family never cared a lot about food, so my childhood was filled with treats like Spaghetti O’s from a can. By the time I became editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine in the mid-90s, I began to learn about organic practices and the farm to table movement. On weekends I would go to the farmer’s market and spend money at every single stand. And I thought that was enough. When I began researching how to help fight climate change through food with Progressive Hedonist in 2023, I immediately realized what I’d been missing: regenerative practices. This philosophy defines the ethos of PH–in every action, we want to give more than we take.
What would you tell someone who feels overwhelmed by conversations about climate change?
I’d agree that climate change is overwhelming AND at the same time, explain that you can make a difference by focusing on what you can control, especially in the realm of food since food & ag represent (roughly) 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Cut back on food waste and reduce methane in landfill; buy from a local farmer and increase biodiversity in your area; support companies like Flour + Water that are making CPG products that support the regenerative movement. Most importantly: Don’t give up. Doing nothing is destined to have a deleterious effect. If everyone–billions of people–do one small thing, the potential is extraordinary.
How can someone create impact in their daily life to support the regenerative movement?
Support people, places and ideas that give more than they take from the land. Eat seasonally and locally to support biodiversity and small scale farmers using sustainable practices. Compost. Reduce waste. Act like a regenerative farmer by thinking long-term and holistically.
Walk us through your “Shift Notes” and work-flow with Progressive Hedonist. What’s a day-in-the-life like for you?
I have three different kinds of days when I’m in NY: “Work at home” days devoted to calls and emails for future planning. “Run around New York City” days going from appointment to appointment, meeting fascinating people who are dedicating themselves to creating a better world and/or food and/or creativity, discovering and tasting new things. “Event prep” days when I clear the calendar to cook, clean and prep for co-hosting Progressive Hedonist meals. In the evenings, I balance between cooking at home, entertaining friends and going on wild food adventures.
What’s your favorite low-waste pasta recipe?
My best low-waste pasta recipe starts with Flour + Water Organic Bronze Spaghetti (a far cry from Spaghetti O’s!!), and then I make a pasta sauce. I start with Matriark’s upcycled carbon neutral tomato sauce, then I add any vegetables from my bin that are wilting or past their prime. And I’ll save the scraps of these ingredients to make stock. So it’s a double-win for no waste and flavor.
Photo Credit: Simi Malik
