Fear, Faith, and Food: A Note from the Heart of Culture Consumed

I’ve never really shared my personal beliefs here, but today I feel called to. To be entirely transparent... I have been fearful to.

I am a Christian. I also believe in science.

I believe in taking care of the people God made in His image by using the tools and technology He has given us — and doing so wisely and responsibly. Food sustains us, just as God’s Word sustains us. Those two truths are not in conflict; they belong together. You don’t

Photo by Anastasiya Gepp

have to pick one or the other. In fact, when faith and science work hand in hand, they remind us of the beauty of creation, the complexity of life, and the sacred responsibility we carry to steward it well.

This platform — Culture Consumed — is not political, and it never will be. My heart is to bring you clear, fact-based, non-partisan information about food. But I also know that if you don’t understand who I am and what I stand on, then you won’t fully understand why I do this. So today, I want to be transparent. I want you to know the foundation of why I share what I share. My work is rooted in my love for people, my love for truth, and my love for Jesus.

A Divided World

We live in a time when everything is polarized. Our world has become so divided that even food — something as universal as what we eat — has been turned into a political battlefield. If you believe our food system is safe, you’re labeled one way. If you question it, you’re labeled another.

Photo by: Matheus Cenali

But food is not red or blue. Food is human. Food is connection. Food is the dinner table where families gather, the hands of farmers who work the land, the blessing that sustains us day after day. Food is a gift from God. And every single person deserves access to clear, honest information about it — without fear, without shame, and without being boxed into a political corner.

That’s why I started Culture Consumed. To cut through the noise. To speak truth about food. To help people see past fear and misinformation and instead focus on facts. Because when we let division dictate our beliefs about something as basic as food, we lose sight of the bigger picture: we’re all human beings trying to nourish ourselves and the people we love.

The Weight of Hate

I’ll be honest—one of the hardest parts of running this platform is reading the comments. When I share information, people don’t always agree, and that’s okay. Healthy debate is part of learning. But what saddens me is when disagreement turns into hate. When people throw

insults, mock each other, or attack one another's character simply because they don’t like their take on the topics I discuss.

It breaks my heart to see so much anger over something that should be an opportunity for conversation and growth. And yet, it also strengthens my resolve. Because if there’s this much hostility around something as basic and essential as food, it shows me how desperately we need clarity, compassion, and truth.

This Week Changed Me

This past week only deepened that conviction. The vile, hateful remarks made about Charlie Kirk after his death broke my heart. He was a man who stood firm in his convictions. And in America, that should never be mocked or diminished. That is what freedom is about—the ability to believe, to speak, and to live according to our values without fear of being silenced or attacked.

We don’t have to agree with one another to respect one another. We don’t have to share the same worldview to extend compassion. The beauty of this country is that we are free to live differently, think differently, and still walk side by side as neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family.

And yet, we’ve lost that perspective. We’ve turned disagreement into war. We’ve turned difference into division. And this week reminded me that I cannot stay silent. I cannot shy away from sharing where I stand.

Where I Stand

Here’s what I believe with my whole heart:

• You can love Jesus and also trust science.

• You can read the scientific literature and also read your Bible.

• You can be rooted in faith and still pursue knowledge.

• You can honor tradition while also embracing innovation.

  
  

These are not contradictions. These are complements. When held together, they form a fuller picture of truth.

That’s what I want this space to reflect. I don’t want Culture Consumed to just be a page that fact-checks food myths. I want it to be a place where people are reminded that it’s okay to think deeply, to hold values, to love God, and to love people — all while still being curious and informed about the world around them.

My Calling

At the end of the day, my calling is not just to talk about food — it’s to spread love, joy, and truth. Truth that is rooted in Christ. Truth that reminds us that we are called to love our neighbor, even when we disagree. Truth that lifts people up instead of tearing them down.

If you’re here for that — welcome. You belong in this space. If you’re not, I say this with grace: this may not be the space for you. And that’s okay. But I cannot and will not back down from what God has called me to share.

The Heart of It All

Everyone deserves access to the truth about food. Everyone deserves the freedom to hold their own opinions. Everyone deserves to know that faith and science can coexist.

That’s the heart of Culture Consumed. That’s the heart of who I am. And that’s the meaning behind “Fear, Faith, and Food.”

I refuse to live in fear or water myself down for the approval of man. For too long, I’ve hesitated to speak boldly out of worry about who might disagree or who might walk away. But God did not call me to shrink back — He called me to stand firm. From this point forward, I am choosing to share my opinions and my convictions openly, not in anger, but in confidence and with clarity. My heart is to do so with love, joy, and truth, knowing that if my words are rooted in Christ, they will reach the people they’re meant to. I will not be fearful —I will be faithful.

I’ll keep bringing you honest, non-partisan information about our food system. I’ll keep cutting through the noise of fear-based narratives. And I’ll keep pointing back to the deeper truth: that love, freedom, and compassion must guide us forward.

Because fear divides. Faith unites. And food sustains.

About the author:

Jenna is a researcher, ag communicator, and current Ph.D. student who’s passionate about cutting through the noise surrounding food and farming. With years of experience studying consumer behavior and advocating for farmers and ranchers, she’s here to help you rethink what you thought you knew about your food—one myth at a time.