The Food Chain

Ruth Alexander looks at the world of snacks. Have we always snacked or is it a more modern phenomenon that started with formal meal patterns? What snacks have been popular through the ages, what’s the industry doing now and what could we be eating in the future?

We talk to food historians Dr Annie Gray and Professor Janis Thiessen, the former CEO of Unilever Paul Polman - who remembers the rise of some of the biggest brands - and Christine Cochran from the international trade association SNAC International.

We also hear from snack fans across the world.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

When you’re feeling stressed, does it affect your appetite?

In this programme Ruth Alexander is joined by two experts in chronic stress to discuss why it can cause us to crave certain foods, the impact on our bodies and whether there’s anything we can do to prepare for periods of stress in our lives.

Ruth is joined by Professor Rajita Sinha, clinical psychologist and founding director of the Yale University Interdisciplinary Stress Center in the United States, and Dr Mithu Storoni, neuro-ophthalmologist and author of the books ‘Stress-Proof’ and ‘Hyperefficient’.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Presented by Ruth Alexander.

Produced by Beatrice Pickup and Bisi Adebayo.

(Image: a woman studying and eating a slice of pizza whilst wearing headphones. Credit: Getty Images/ BBC)

There are bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants around the world which don’t just exist to serve up food and drink – they're on a mission to rebuild lives.

Ruth Alexander hears the stories of risk, reward and redemption from three businesses on three different continents:

At The Dusty Knuckle bakery in London, the trainee programme manager Charlie Atkinson explains why she thinks a cafe and bakery is the perfect place to foster team spirit.

Reporter Gideon Long visits La Trocha in Bogota, Colombia, a bar and cultural centre run by a group of former Farc rebels.

Rob Perez and Mindy Street of DV8 Kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky, US, talk about how they’ve won over customers.

Producers: Hannah Bewley and Sam Clack

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

(Image: hands kneading dough. Credit: Getty Images/ BBC)

Cottage industries, usually referring to small scale home-based production, can be found all over the world. Often they provide a vital source of additional income for women, particularly in low income and rural areas.

In this programme Devina Gupta speaks to women who are working in food cottage industries in India, Eswatini in Southern Africa, and Ecuador, to hear about the work and the difference it makes to their finances.

Devina goes to meet some of the 40,000 women working for Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, India’s multimillion-dollar co-operative, which produces 'Lijjat Papad' poppadoms, sold nationwide.

If you’d like to contact the programme you can email thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Presented by Devina Gupta.

Produced by Hannah Bewley.

(Image: two women rolling poppadom disks in Delhi. Credit: BBC)

Indigenous food is experiencing a revival in Canada, with growing awareness of First Nations culture, and Indigenous run community farms and restaurants opening.

While many are hopeful, there remains challenges to food security, including the realities of living in remote areas, the legacy of historic government schemes and climate change.

Megan Lawton speaks to First Nation farmers, restauranteurs and chefs.

Presented by Megan Lawton

Produced by Sam Gruet