Ryan Lewis Takes a Bite Out of Food Deserts
The music producer and Macklemore collaborator dishes on his new cause
By Rebecca Ratterman August 18, 2016
Music producer, DJ, Macklemore collaborator and Seattleite Ryan Lewis has a new cause: food deserts.
He’s working with Naked Juice and Wholesome Wave—a national nonprofit founded by Michael Nischan, a James Beard award-winning chef—on a #DrinkGoodDoGood selfie campaign to raise awareness about the difficulty many Americans have in accessing affordable, fresh foods in their neighborhoods.
As one of the ambassadors for the selfie campaign, Lewis is encouraging others to share a “fruit and vegie selfie” on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #DrinkGoodDoGood.
For every selfie shared, Naked Juice is donating 10 pounds of produce to “neighbors in need.” The juice company kicked off the campaign with a donation of $250,000 pounds of produce.
Lewis stopped by the Seattle magazine office to talk produce and deserts.
SM: Tell me a little bit about food deserts.
RL: This is an enlightening collaboration I would say, in terms of learning more about food deserts. Did you know that 1 in 10 people in America live in a food desert? That is 30 million people! And did you know that 50 percent of people in Seattle don’t even know there are food deserts here? That’s crazy! I am part of that 50 percent. And Naked is donating 250,000 pounds of produce.
SM: How many selfies have you taken so far?
RL: Not that many. I’m planning more though. But it’s not about how many it’s more about how. I used celery sticks as drumsticks during a concert for one. The drumsticks didn’t make it. And I’m one of many [who are on this campaign]. You know Common? He did one holding up beats, because he’s a rapper. Get it? He’s a funny guy.
SM: Why did you decide to become involved with this particular issue? Why Seattle?
RL: I think when you’re a producer or a DJ or a musician or a whatever it’s cool because you have a voice. You have opportunities to collaborate with things in the world and help. Plus, I’m 28, I’m getting up there. In the past year I’ve definitely been focused on health and thinking more about what I’m eating. It’s easy to take a selfie to help. One selfie and they donate 10 pounds of produce.
SM: What do you hope to see in Seattle in the future [and across the country] when it comes to the issue of food deserts and what do you think you might actually see?
RL: Access. I hope to see access to quality fruits and vegetables. I think when you have contrast in communities that have to pay more money for healthy food it’s harder. There needs to be quality produce that is affordable. We have a long way to go but my hope would be that all people will have that access.
SM: Are there any food deserts in Seattle you specifically want to focus on? *Delridge, Georgetown, Greater Duwamish, Tukwila*
RL: I care about all of them.
SM: Ok, last question. What is your favorite fruit and what is your favorite vegetable?
RL: Oh…nobody’s asked me that one….I would say my favorite fruit is the banana. And my favorite vegetable…….is kale….
SM: Really?
RL: No! Uh….asparagus. Yeah it’s asparagus.
SM: Green or purple?
RL: What? There’s purple asparagus? Oh no. Definitely green.
Follow Us
Blueprints for Building Community
After tragedy struck a local restaurateur family, one of their daughters stepped in to complete the design for her brother’s unfinished home.
Although he was just 35 when a heart attack took his life, Khoa Pham’s imprint on Seattle’s international district was such that the city quickly designated April 21 as a memorial day in his honor. With his rescue pitbull, Pinky, by his side, Pham cut a colorful figure through Little Saigon and became well known…
Tuft Stuff
Tuft Ruft turns fiber art into a social, hands-on experience in Pioneer Square.
It all started with a bout of pandemic boredom. Like many, when COVID-19 hit, recent graduate Carrie Xiao found herself stuck at home, with extra time on her hands. One day, while scrolling social media, she discovered tufting: a textile manufacturing technique that creates a garment or rug with a “pile,” or raised surface. After…
Collaborating Cultures
Looking to build a home to welcome family and friends, one Kirkland couple turns to a sister to design a modern house with influences from the wife’s Thai heritage.
For many years, when homeowners planned to build or remodel, architects and designers advised them to think first and foremost about resale value. From the number of bedrooms to the materials, appliances, and finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms, homes were often treated solely as an investment, with an eye to future sales. In recent…
Whale Of A Remodel
The transformation of an Orcas Island home takes advantage of remarkable views
For many years, Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders entertained his Orcas Island neighbors with breathtaking acrobatics in his vintage airplane. Anders and his wife, Valerie, had purchased a five-acre compound on the isolated western edge of the island for its mesmerizing view, a subject he knew something about. As a member of the first human…