The Food Granny Podcast

Who Profits From Food Waste?

Australia loves a food rescue story. But who absorbs the financial loss before food is ever “rescued”?
In this episode, Christine travels to Mannum in regional South Australia to meet Kelly from Wood Lane Pantry. What begins as a conversation about dehydrated meals quickly becomes something much bigger. A discussion about food systems, grower pressure, supermarket specifications and the hidden economics behind food waste.
Christine explores why perfectly good produce is often rejected, who carries the financial burden when that happens, and why regional innovation is so often under recognised.
This is not just a story about sustainability. It is a conversation about value, resilience and the future of Australian food systems.
Featuring:• Wood Lane Pantry and their regional value recovery model• Food rescue versus value recovery• The realities facing growers and regional producers• Women-led innovation in regional Australia• Why decentralised food processing matters
If you care about food security, regional business and supporting Australian growers, this episode will leave you thinking long after it ends.
Wood Lane Pantryhttps://woodlanepantry.com.au
Visit Mannumhttps://www.murrayriver.com.au/places-to-go/mannum/ 
The Food Granny Websitehttp://www.thefoodgranny.com.au 
#TheFoodGranny #FoodWaste #SupportLocal #RegionalAustralia #SouthAustralianBusiness #FoodSecurity #SustainableFood #WomenInBusiness#FoodSystems #AustralianGrowers 

Driven, Poured and Thoughtfully Done

In this episode, Christine shares a day spent exploring the Adelaide Hills on a thoughtfully curated tour led by Liz Green from Discover Adelaide Tours.
This is not just about where you go. It is about how the day is put together. The pacing, the atmosphere and the small details that make everything feel easy from start to finish.
From local wineries to a distillery stop and a long lunch along the way, Christine reflects on what turns a good day out into something far more memorable. It is the people, the care and the quiet planning behind the scenes that make the difference.
If you enjoy local food, good wine and experiences that feel considered rather than rushed, this episode is a reminder to slow down and enjoy it properly.
#TheFoodGranny #AdelaideHills #SouthAustralianFood #WineTour #SupportLocal #LocalExperiences #FoodAndWine #DiscoverAdelaide #SmallBusinessAustralia #AdelaideLife #Over50 
Discover Adelaide ToursShaw + Smith WineryNepenthe WinesGrunthal BrewHeaps Good SpiritsAnd don't forget to visit The Food Granny too 

It's All About People, Not Just Food

You can eat well anywhere, but that does not always mean you feel at home.
In this episode, Christine steps away from the plate to explore what really shapes our everyday experience. The people we trust. The places we return to. The small, consistent interactions that quietly make life work.
From finding a hairdresser who gets it right every time, to an exercise class that feels more like community, to local businesses that understand their craft, this is a reflection on what it takes to feel settled in a place.
Christine shares her own experiences of rebuilding that sense of connection after moving to Adelaide, and why it takes longer, and matters more, than we often expect.
This is not just about food. It is about people, trust and the businesses that become part of your life.
If you value local, community and the relationships behind everyday moments, this episode will resonate.Visit our website at www.thefoodgranny.com.au#TheFoodGranny #SupportLocal #SmallBusinessAustralia #LocalCommunity #PeopleMatter #AdelaideLife#BehindTheCounter #CommunityFirst #RealStories #SouthAustralianBusiness
 

Why Authentic Restaurants Don't Need to Boast

In Episode 4 of The Food Granny Podcast, Christine explores why the best restaurants do not need to boast. It is not about trends, oversized menus or noise. It is about atmosphere, attention and authenticity.
Inspired by an evening at a hidden gem in Adelaide, Christine reflects on how lighting, sound, service and small details shape the entire dining experience. From the quiet confidence of Veneto-style cooking to the often overlooked art of hospitality, this episode invites you to slow down and notice what is already in front of you.
If you love food, value genuine experiences or want to understand what makes people come back time and time again, this conversation will change the way you see dining out.#TheFoodGranny #FoodPodcast #AdelaideEats #SouthAustralianFood #HospitalityMatters #AuthenticDining #RestaurantExperience #SupportLocal #FoodStories #BehindTheCounter
To find out more visit www.thefoodgranny.com.au

When the Door Opens, It’s On You: The Real Responsibility of Running a Small Business

When you run a small business, the responsibility does not clock off.
In Episode 3, Christine speaks candidly about what it really means to be the one holding the keys. The early mornings. The financial pressure. The decisions no one else sees. The weight of knowing that when the door opens, it is on you.
This is not about glamour or growth hacks. It is about accountability. Leadership. Showing up even when it would be easier not to.
Behind every counter is a person carrying risk, responsibility and reputation. Christine reflects on the quiet resilience required to build something sustainable and the mindset shift that happens when you realise no one is coming to save you.
If you are building a business, leading a team or carrying the weight of your own decisions, this episode will feel familiar.#TheFoodGranny  #SmallBusinessAustralia #SmallBusinessLeadership #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #HospitalityLife #BehindTheCounter#SupportLocal #BusinessMindset #SouthAustralianBusinessFollow Christine @thefoodgranny or visit her website www.thefoodgranny.com.au 

Community Is Not a Marketing Strategy: Why Relationships Matter More Than Reach

In this episode, Christine explores something many businesses talk about but few truly understand. Community.
It is easy to use the word. It is harder to build it.
From knowing customers by name to understanding the rhythms of your neighbourhood, Christine shares what real connection looks like when you are running a food business. This is not about follower counts or clever campaigns. It is about showing up. Listening. Remembering. Caring.
Food might bring people through the door the first time. But it is relationship that brings them back.
Christine reflects on why reach means very little without trust, why loyalty is earned quietly over time, and why community cannot be manufactured for the sake of growth.
If you run a small business, support one, or simply value local connection, this episode will resonate.
#TheFoodGranny #RelationshipsOverReach #SmallBusinessAustralia #SouthAustralianBusiness #LocalCommunity #HospitalityLife #WomenInBusiness#IndependentBusiness #SupportLocal #FoodStories
Follow Christine @thefoodgranny or visit her website www.thefoodgranny.com.au 
 
 

I Chased the Bagel Boys and Found the Truth About Small Business

In the very first episode of The Food Granny Podcast, Christine sets the tone for what this show is really about. No gloss. No hype. No pretending small business is easier than it is.
This is a story about chasing bagels. Not trends. Not vanity metrics. Not social media noise. Bagels.
Christine shares why she chose product over popularity, substance over spin, and what it really takes to open the doors each morning in South Australia. From early starts to financial pressure, from community connection to cultural identity, this episode explores the quiet effort that holds everyday business together.
If you love food but also care about money, margins, people and place, this is where the conversation begins.Follow Christine @thefoodgranny or visit her website www.thefoodgranny.com.au #TheFoodGranny #FoodPodcast #SmallBusinessAustralia #SouthAustralianBusiness #LocalProduce #HospitalityLife #WomenInBusiness #FoodStories #BehindTheCounter #IndependentBusiness

The Food Granny Podcast Coming Soon

The Food Granny Podcast is coming soon. Hosted by Christine Smith, also known as The Food Granny, this short form podcast will celebrate small business, local produce and regional success stories. Pull up a chair. There is always room at the table.