Across America, chef Lidia Bastianich shines a light on how everyday people give back through food. By immersing herself in their personal stories and communities, she highlights how selfless acts foster both connection and fulfillment on both sides.
Imagine a grocery store where everything is free. At District 10 Market, Lidia sees how local farmers, volunteers, and city leaders unite to fight food insecurity — giving neighbors access to fresh, healthy choices in a groundbreaking space.
Lidia Bastianich cooks garlic pasta at SAME Café, where meals are earned with time, produce, or pay.
Lidia joins Kiki Ruff in her kitchen to cook ‘Ruff Rice,’ a versatile one-pot meal born from necessity. From learning to cook on food stamps to creating Recession Recipes that empower families, Kiki shares tips, humor, and heart—proving confidence in the kitchen can change lives. Watch now!
At Ikoi No Kai in Portland, OR, Japanese elders find comfort, culture, and community. Lidia visits this cheerful space, and enjoys Chef Naomi’s Japanese Curry with Chicken Cutlet. Volunteers share why they give their time — and why this haven of belonging and resilience matters.
Lidia teams up with influencer Kiki Ruff, and Firas Ayyad, founder of No Res Gourmet, to make a vibrant peach and beet salad — sharing tips on using every part of the vegetable and reducing waste. It’s a simple, colorful dish that celebrates giving, gratitude, and the joy of cooking together.
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Jen is a web producer at KPBS, responsible for program promotion, membership-related activities, and is the editor of the KPBS community calendar. Jen has worked at KPBS since 2000. She is originally from Las Vegas and attended UNLV.
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