by Jessica Wong, CBCNews.ca

Food tends to permanently occupy my thoughts, but I'm often struck humble when encountering invariably more serious concerns of farmers and food producers, both at home and abroad.

Under Rich Earth, a documentary I watched last week, has been weighing on my mind. In it, Toronto filmmaker Malcolm Rogge chronicles the struggles of the people of Ecuador's Intag Valley against Ascendant, a Canadian company attempting to begin copper mining in the area.

By Tara Kimura, CBCNews.ca

Mourners in New York City recently celebrated the life of salesman Joe Ades, fondly known as the Gentleman Peeler, at a small memorial. Ades – who passed away in February at the age of 75 – was remembered as the ultimate pitchman with a keen sense of timing and showmanship. Gatherers constructed an unconventional wreath made of carrot peelings and toasted the beloved salesman with small cups of champagne.

by Amber Hildebrandt, CBCNews.ca

A trip to Canada's capital wouldn't be complete without a bit of maple, and it appears U.S. President Barack Obama wasn't one to miss out on the specialty during Thursday's visit.

by Jessica Wong, CBCNews.ca

While I've never been enamoured of the red carpet parade, one of my guilty pleasures come Oscar-time is searching out and poring through the details of the fabulous food and drinks served at the myriad parties afterwards.

By Andree Lau, CBCNews.ca

Hot fudge pudding cakes are one way to someone's heart. (Larry Crowe/Associated Press)

I knew my fiancé was marriage material during our first Valentine's Day together. He brought me roses, a balloon and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. But none of that was what swayed me. It was the dinner of coq au vin that he made from scratch in my kitchen.

By Tara Kimura, CBCNews.ca

A round-up of food-related research, recalls and curiosities...

By Elizabeth Bridge, CBC Digital Archives writer

When it comes to brownie preferences, passions may not become as stirred as they do in the great butter tart debate. But adherents have their differences. Cakey or chewy or fudgy? Nuts or not? Walnuts or pecans?

by Leigh Felesky, CBCNews.ca

My son was around three when he helped himself to a tray of nuts at a Christmas party. The food table was toddler-high and full of festive goodies. No one was paying too much attention until he said, "Mommy, I don't feel well."

Less than one minute later he had a bout of projectile vomiting that was enough to make the party pause.

Not sure what to make of it as he's never thrown up easily, I investigated the next week, starting with the pediatrician and ending at the allergist. The diagnosis? My son had a potentially fatal allergy to all tree nuts. Peanuts, which are a legume, are ok.

Ah, this left me chewing on my nutcracker. I was someone who always wondered if banning nuts from schools was really necessary, and who was sure that kids with nut allergies were rare and over-diagnosed. But perhaps I was always wrong.

by Kevin Yarr, CBCNews.ca

Last November, as it was becoming clear that Canada — along with the rest of the world — was slipping into the deepest recession in a generation, Canadians did an unexpected thing.

We went out to eat.