While the cameras are in the ballroom, we’ve been working on something new for The American Table. It launches tomorrow morning at 6am — and the timing, I promise you, is not a coincidence.

We’ve brought in a remarkable talent. More on that tomorrow.

See you at the table.

The American Table

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It discovered Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott, the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, and hundreds more — awarding them their first recognition before anyone outside a small circle knew their names.

Somerville has just been nominated there! That is the news. But the meaning of it runs a little deeper.

You don't have to wait for a screening. You can watch it right now. Paid subscribers to The American Table have access to the film today. One click. No film festival credential required.

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A festival that finds things first

WorldFest has a specific institutional gift: it sees work before the consensus does. Their own description of it is simple — “the winners this year will be the Spielbergs of tomorrow.” That’s not marketing. That’s a 65-year track record.

The award given is called the Remi, named after Frederic Remington, the painter and sculptor who documented the American West as it was disappearing. Somerville is doing the same work. Different terrain. Same urgency.

Somerville follows the Grove family farm in rural Virginia — 150 years of land, now under pressure from Dominion Energy, data center sprawl moving out from Northern Virginia, USPS cuts, and broadband gaps that leave rural communities competing at a structural disadvantage.

The film doesn’t take sides. It pays attention. It asks what it means — as a country — to let places like this go without noticing.

This is the moment to get on board

Rural America is chronically undercovered. When it gets attention, it tends toward exploitation or condescension. Somerville is neither. It is the view from inside, made by someone who has spent years earning the trust required to tell it honestly.

A nomination from a festival that has been right about independent film for six decades is a curatorial signal: this story belongs in the conversation.

The book is in development. The screenings are coming. The story isn’t finished — because the pressures on Somerville aren’t finished.

But a field in rural Virginia is now being seen by a festival that has seen some of the most consequential independent films ever made.

Become a paid subscriber. Watch the film. Be part of what comes next.

— Jim Bell is the publisher of The American Table and an Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker.

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As temperatures plunge across the region, the Grove family of Somerville has announced the birth of sixteen healthy calves this week. Despite freezing conditions and ongoing political chill from Washington, America’s farmers continue their work seven days a week.

“We have babies!” might be the headline of the week — or perhaps, “Spring Has Come Early.” Either way, the heartland keeps moving forward.

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Like so many others, The Washington Post shaped the way I understood Washington itself. When I arrived in this city years ago, it was The Post that helped define its rhythm — the tension between power and principle, politics and people. The Sunday edition was a ritual. It didn’t pander or shout; it made you think. You could feel the integrity in its reporting, and the courage in its choice of what to print, no matter who it might unsettle.

I can’t help but wonder what happens to a democracy when institutions like The Post are forced to contract. Who tells the stories that still need to be told when newsroom lights go dark? We’ve reached a moment where economic models have overtaken editorial missions, where the quiet diligence of journalism struggles to survive the noise of content.

To the journalists packing up their desks tonight: your work has mattered. It still does. You’ve been the chroniclers of our history and the keepers of our collective accountability. The Post’s legacy isn’t diminished by this moment — it’s made even more vital.

And to the leadership in media — and I say this with deep respect — let’s remember that journalism isn’t just a business model. It’s a public trust. It’s the mirror in which a free society sees itself clearly, even when it doesn’t like the reflection.

There is still time to protect that mission. But only if we choose, collectively, to value truth over traffic and craft over clicks.

— James Bell

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Washington, D.C. — January 8, 2026
The Trump administration has introduced a new set of federal dietary guidelines that upend decades of conventional nutrition advice, putting red meat, full-fat dairy, and animal proteins back at the forefront of the American plate. This reordering of the familiar food pyramid marks a decisive philosophical shift — away from plant-based eating and calorie moderation toward what the administration describes as “nutritional freedom and metabolic resilience.”

The guidelines carry significant downstream influence, shaping food policies across schools, hospitals, military bases, prisons, and federal nutrition programs. Reissued every five years, they are rarely rewritten so boldly. Yet this year’s update represents both a cultural and economic statement — one reflecting the administration’s alignment with agricultural producers and a growing movement challenging decades of low-fat orthodoxy.

Critics may see politics at play in how science is being reframed; supporters will argue it restores balance to an overregulated national diet. Either way, the new plan underscores a broader realignment of health policy, personal autonomy, and the economics of what Americans eat.

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This year, I’m giving you something special — free 10-day access (December 20–30) to watch our newest film, Somerville. (click the blue button to watch)

Watch Somerville Now!

Somerville isn’t just a film. It’s a true American story — a modern-day David versus Goliath fight to save a family farm against the odds. It’s about what happens when ordinary people stand up for what’s right, even when the system says they can’t win.

You’ll see the heartbreak and hope of a family holding on to generations of heritage — and the quiet heroism it takes to preserve something sacred: the land itself. In a time when so much feels fractured, Somerville reminds us that identity, purpose, and place still matter deeply.

From my table to yours, thank you for being part of this journey and for believing, as we do, that telling real stories can still make a difference.

Warm wishes this holiday season,
James Bell
Founder & Publisher, The American Table

Watch Somerville Now!

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From the Grove Family

Friends,

We lost a great cattleman this week. Bobby was involved in a car accident on Nov. 11th and succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 18th. Bobby was an inspiration with a will to live like no other. He battled cancer, and all the after effects, and figured out how to live life with all those challenges. He leaves a legacy of Angus cattle that is unmatched. Bobby was a mentor (to anyone that would listen), stubborn as a mule, and will be missed by many.

A celebration of his life will be held on the farm on December 6th at noon.

To honor Bobby’s incredible legacy and the story of Somerville, we invite friends, family, and all who care about the American farming spirit to watch the film Somerville. It beautifully captures Bobby Grove’s courage, resilience, and the profound impact he and his family have had on their community and the land they love.

When filmmaker James Bell stepped inside the kitchen of neighbor Donna Grove to make a documentary, he had little idea what he’d be in for.

The original idea was to tell the story of the 100-year-old farmhouse in southern Fauquier and the deep ties to the land that had made it successful.

But as Bell started to ask his first question, he realized something was wrong.

“We have a problem,” Grove told him.

Dominion Energy needed more power lines to go through the Somerville area, and the alternate route proposed by the utility cut through the heart of Grove’s White Ridge Farm. If approved, the line would destroy the farm and drive a stake through the heart of their tight-knit community.

“We can’t let that happen,” Bell said.

For the full article go to FAUQUIERNOW.com

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This Friday, The American Table premieres Somerville — “Best Film of the Year.” It’s a powerful, true ‘David and Goliath’ story of a small Virginia farm’s fight for survival against a world-class energy company — and a celebration of courage, legacy, and the American spirit.

For just $10, you can become a PAID subscriber to watch Somerville and unlock access to all our award-winning films and future premieres.

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Watch the trailer below and join today — your $10 supports independent storytelling that honors real American voices.

Let’s keep telling stories that matter.

Warmly,
James Bell
Publisher, The American Table

Senate Republicans are discussing voting on a bill that would prevent millions of low-income Americans from losing access to food aid on Nov. 1. POLITICO

The bill from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) would fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the duration of the shutdown, which on Wednesday entered its 22nd day. The Department of Agriculture warned earlier this month that if the government shutdown dragged on “there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation.”

This Friday, The American Table premieres Somerville — “Best Film of the Year.” It’s a powerful, true story of a small Virginia farm’s fight for survival — and a celebration of courage, legacy, and the American spirit.

For just $10, you can become a PAID subscriber to watch Somerville and unlock access to all our award-winning films and future premieres.

Subscribe now

Watch the trailer below and join today — your $10 supports independent storytelling that honors real American voices.

Let’s keep telling stories that matter.

Warmly,
James Bell
Publisher, The American Table

The New York Times Company on Wednesday reported strong advertising and subscription revenue growth in the second quarter, adding 230,000 paid digital-only subscribers.

The Times now has 11.88 million total subscribers to its print and digital products, which include the news report, Cooking, Games, the Wirecutter product review site and The Athletic, a sports news site. The company has said it aims to reach 15 million subscribers by the end of 2027. NYT

Matthew Cooper is the Executive Editor-Digital at the Washington Monthly. He has covered the White House and worked for multiple publications during his 30-plus years in journalism, including Time, Newsweek, The New Republic, and Condé Nast Portfolio. He's been known to eat and cook.

“Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations,” CPB president and CEO Patricia Harrison said in a statement. “CPB remains committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities and supporting our partners through this transition with transparency and care.”

The Facts—And the Atrocity

• $800,000 worth of high-energy biscuits, originally purchased by the Biden administration, sat abandoned in a Dubai warehouse for months, long enough to expire.

• 1.5 million children—that is how many could have eaten for a week on these rations, according to estimates cited by government officials and humanitarian experts.

• $100,000 to $130,000: That’s the additional cost simply to incinerate this mountain of aid instead of delivering it to, say, Gaza or Sudan—regions presently suffering catastrophic hunger emergencies.

• Tens of thousands of jobs have vanished across the humanitarian sector since the USAID shutdown, sidelining expertise precisely when it is needed most.

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A Deliberate Disaster

This was not an accident. For months, career USAID staff and global aid organizations sounded the alarm, begging for basic bureaucratic sign-off to release the food before it spoiled. Instead, new political appointees at the State Department—installed in the wake of USAID’s dissolution—ignored, delayed, and ultimately denied these pleas. India Times

The excuses ranged from Kafkaesque bureaucracy (“procurement protocols," “lack of authority”) to claims that distributing aid risked “benefiting terrorists.” Yet entire planeloads of food were allowed to rot in a warehouse, all while world headlines chronicled rising childhood starvation in crisis zones. This is not efficiency; it is gross malpractice, bordering on criminal neglect.

“This Is the Definition of Waste”

Officials forced to watch this tragedy unfold called it what it is: “waste, pure and simple.” In the old days, USAID teams tracked expiration dates closely, moving food with agility to where it was needed most. Not anymore. Redesigned, politicized, and finally dismantled, America’s once-proud humanitarian apparatus is now “locked up”—pointlessly. ABC News

Even congressional oversight proved toothless. Lawmakers, briefed months ago about the expiring food by concerned civil servants, were stonewalled, and their warnings dismissed. The food expired in July. And now it burns, hauled away to be incinerated or dumped in a landfill.

The Real Cost—And the Legacy

America's global standing as a leader in humanitarian aid is tarnished. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s budget cuts—slashing over 80% of foreign assistance—were justified as serving “core American interests.” But incinerating food meant for dying children only serves core American shame.

Meanwhile, millions of taxpayer dollars in food shipments—foregrounded by this Dubai debacle—sit at risk of similar fate, warehoused but undelivered in Houston, Djibouti, and South Africa. Already, aid groups report children dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after U.S.-funded feeding programs suddenly vanished.

Final Words

Hundreds of tons of food. Millions in taxpayer dollars. Countless lives left in the balance. This is the tragic legacy of a government that, instead of moving heaven and earth to save its food—and its soul—opted to burn both.

America’s humanitarian leadership has not been lost. It has been systematically, inexplicably destroyed. And for millions facing hunger, the fire in Dubai is not just the destruction of food—it is the burning of hope itself.

A government that will incinerate food during a hunger crisis is a government that sets fire to its morals and its mission. The world must not forget, and Americans must demand better.

In its first year, The American Table has become a vibrant forum for exploring how food shapes—and is shaped by—America’s political and cultural life. The site’s flagship podcast has welcomed a diverse array of guests, from policymakers to chefs, sparking important conversations about the power of food to open doors and drive change.

Exclusive Interview with Former CNN Anchor Jim Acosta:

Margaret Carlson recently sat down with Jim Acosta, the award-winning journalist and former CNN Chief White House Correspondent, and the new face of Substack, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of media, democracy, and the challenges facing America today. Acosta, who departed CNN in early 2025 after nearly two decades, remains a leading voice in holding power to account and defending press freedom. Other high-profile guests. This year, The American Table has also featured exclusive conversations with Representative Eric Swalwell, culinary icon Chef Alice Waters, and other leaders from politics, food, and culture.

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Blair House:

In honor of the bicentennial of the President’s Guest House, Blair House, The American Table was granted exclusive access and conducted an in-depth interview exploring its rich history as the nation’s premier site for diplomatic hospitality. Our coverage highlights Blair House’s evolution from a private residence in 1824 to its central role in U.S. diplomacy, including its acquisition by the government in 1942 at the urging of President Franklin Roosevelt.

Legendary journalists have played a key role in shaping the editorial voice of The American Table:

Margaret Carlson, the first female columnist at Time Magazine and a longtime panelist on CNN’s Capital Gang, joined as a featured contributor, bringing decades of journalistic excellence to the publication. Annie Groer, a distinguished journalist formerly of CNN and The Washington Post, among other notable outlets, and a Gridiron Club member since 1990, has enriched the platform with her unique perspective on the intersection of politics, society, and cuisine.

In addition to its acclaimed journalism and interviews, TheAmericanTable.org proudly features Emmy-winning original film content:

The platform’s signature documentary series, Behind the Line, chronicles a five-year journey into the lives of American chefs, revealing how culinary culture intersects with broader social movements. Another landmark film, A Moment in Time, a three-time Emmy-nominated and globally awarded documentary, follows two Michelin-starred chefs navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6th Capitol attack, and the Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, D.C. These powerful films exemplify The American Table’s commitment to storytelling that illuminates the untold stories shaping America’s food systems and political landscape.

TheAmericanTable.org is an independent, reader-supported publication focused on exploring the connections between politics, food, and society. Through original articles, podcasts, and multimedia content, The American Table unites thought leaders, journalists, chefs, and everyday Americans to share meaningful stories. We sincerely thank our subscribers, interview guests, and the talented, dedicated team that makes this important work possible. Information changes lives daily, and we remain committed to producing honest, ethical, and original content that truly makes a difference.

As TheAmericanTable.org enters its second year, it remains committed to its mission: delving deep into the stories behind the food we eat and the movements shaping our global society, while fostering a community of engaged readers and listeners.


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“Objectivity is really key here and the public depends on it,” said Joe Glauber, a former USDA chief economist. “To lose that trust would be terrible.”