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Hungry For MO

What even is Ozark cuisine?

By Natasha Bailey,
Jenny Vergara, Suzanne Hogan
Published December 22, 2022 at 3:00 AM CST
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Missouri’s Ozark Mountains are known for their lush wilderness and popular tourist destinations. But what about the food? Like much of Ozark culture, the cuisine remains deeply misunderstood and shrouded in stereotypes. From deep in the forest to upscale restaurants, these food lovers are preserving the Ozarks' past and charting its future.

Hungry For MO is a production of KCUR Studios, with support from the Missouri Humanities Council. It’s hosted by Natasha Bailey and Jenny Vergara. This episode was written and produced by Suzanne Hogan with editing from Gabe Rosenberg and Mackenzie Martin. Sound design and mix by Suzanne Hogan with help from Paris Norvell. Music this episode from Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks this episode to Brian Munoz of St. Louis Public Radio for reporting and photos from Bulrush, and to the Quapaw Nation and Ozark Chinquapin Foundation.

Tags
Hungry For MO foodfood insecurityFood & DrinkOzarksLake of the OzarksNatureenvironmentNative AmericansMissouri history
Natasha Bailey
Natasha Bailey is one of the hosts of Hungry For MO.
See stories by Natasha Bailey
Jenny Vergara
Jenny Vergara is one of the hosts of Hungry For MO.
See stories by Jenny Vergara
Suzanne Hogan
As managing podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I want to feed your curious mind, offer historical context so you understand why things are the way they are, and introduce you to the people working to make a difference behind the scenes. Reach me at hogansm@kcur.org.
See stories by Suzanne Hogan
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