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Biscuits, gravy, pepperoni rolls, fried chicken, and… salt? This week on Inside Appalachia, we’re investigating the history and stories of some of Appalachia’s most famous foods with the help of Gravy, a podcast produced by the Southern Foodways Alliance.
We’ll hear about the revitalization of West Virginia’s salt production industry, the complicated history of fried chicken, and the growing popularity of Appalachian food in major urban centers.
The Hidden History of Kanawha Valley Salt
Did you know? A young Booker T. Washington cut his teeth in the salt mines in Malden, not far from where Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne are working to revive their family’s historic salt company, JQ Dickinson Salt. The siblings have re-designed the process that their ancestors used to create the product that was known worldwide for its distinct flavor and pink hue, all the while keeping in mind the slave labor that fueled their family’s salt’s original success.
Our Not-So-Simple Relationship with Fried Chicken
Later, we’ll take a look at the complicated relationship between race and fried chicken. While soul food has provided opportunities for economic mobility for some African Americans, many feel uncomfortable enjoying traditional food in public because of the harsh stereotypes associated with their consumption.
All this and more this week on Inside Appalachia. Music in today’s show was provided by Ben Townsend, Larry Groce, Hell For Certain String Band, Blue Dot Sessions, and David Shoulman and the Quiet Life Motel, Ryan Little, Digital Primitives and Diagram Collective. Our Appetite Appalachia theme music is by the Carolina Sunshine Trio.
We’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail us at feedback@wvpublic.org. Find us on Twitter @InAppalachia or @JessicaYLilly.
Inside Appalachia is produced by Jessica Lilly and Roxy Todd. Our intern is Katelyn Campbell. Editing help was provided by Zander Aloi.
Subscribe to our Inside Appalachia podcast here or on iTunes here, or on Stitcher here.
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Dan Parks has been reporting on data center development in Tucker County, West Virginia. Parks writes a Substack called Country Roads News, which covers a rural county that’s home to Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls and about 6,700 people. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke to Parks about his reporting.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsAppalachia has a rich history of protest music. Today, some regional musicians are using their voices to oppose data centers being built across Appalachia and the artificial intelligence they power. Folkways Reporter Andrea “river” Peterson has more.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsAI proponents say the technology will revolutionize our lives. It’s also started a conversation about creativity and what’s really art. That applies to kinds of expression that seem to have nothing to do with machines, like crochet. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this story of how crocheters found AI invading their communal spaces and what they plan to do about it.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsThere is a lot riding on the outcome of Tuesday's election, both in this state and across the nation. Assistant News Director Maria Young spoke with Marshall University Political Science Professor Marybeth Beller about what to watch for as the results come in.
Continue Reading Take Me to More News
