Biography

Jane Black is a food writer who covers food politics, trends and sustainability issues. She is currently at work on a book about one town in West Virginia’s struggle to change the way it eats and whether the food revolution can cross geographical, cultural and class boundaries. Jane started her career as a reporter, covering technology and international news at organizations including the BBC and Businessweek Online. But she soon discovered that food was her passion. From 2007 through 2010, she was a staff writer at The Washington Post. Her reporting took her from Immokalee, Florida, where she wrote about tomato pickers’ struggle for better working conditions to Monterey Bay, where she attended a “secret meeting” of the Sardinistas, a group of environmentalists who want to teach Americans about the culinary joys of small fish. Jane's stories try to make people think smart about what and where they eat. Jane's writing has received many awards. In 2009 and 2010, The Washington Post Food section won the James Beard Award for best newspaper food section. She has also won prizes for feature and essay writing from the Association of Food Journalists, Les Dames D’Escoffier, the City and Regional Magazine awards. Her work has been featured in the Best Food Writing 2008, 2009 and 2010. Jane continues to write often for the Washington Post. Her work also appears in Food & Wine, The New York Times, Slate and New York Magazine. Her podcast, Smart Food, is broadcast on Edible Radio.