New York City

Talking – and eating – the Politics of Food

All photos by Ali Garber

On November 16, City & State partnered with the Daily News to present The Politics of Food – an all-day event celebrating New York's unique place in the culinary arts, and the role of food in politics. Bringing together top chefs, policymakers, innovators, the day featured discussions and panels focused on the future of food programs for New York City’s communities; whether legislation can lead to healthier, more sustainable lifestules; and how to start a dialogue between farmers and consumers.

Among the panels was one focused on the role nonprofits and government officials play in helping to feed New York's most vulnerable residents. Hosted by New York Nonprofit Media, the panel featured Barbara Turk, director of food policy for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Donna Corrado, commissioner for the city Department for the Aging, Margarette Purvis, head of Food Bank for New York City, and Joel Berg, head of Hunger Free America. You can listen to the full conversation here.

While day was filled with discussion, the evening was a celebration of the Taste of Lower Manhattan at the Museum of American Finance in the city's Financial District. Hosted by Chef Wylie Dufresne, owner & founder of Du’s Donuts and author of "WD-50: The Cookbook", the night consisted of plenty of food and drinks served by a variety of restaurants and mixoligists. Below is a selection of photos from the night. You can see a full list of the participating restaurants and sponsors here. View the full photo gallery here.

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


Host Wylie Dufresne, founder of Du's Donuts and author of "WD-50: The Cookbook"

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


Linda Brancato from the Daily News.

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


City & State's Jeff Coltin handing out the evenening's awards.

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


Wylie Dufresne signing copies of "WD-50: The Cookbook."

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan


Alliance for Downtown New York's Jessica Lappin and Peter Poulakakos of HPH.

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan

the politics of food taste of lower manhattan