Human Physiology’s Patrick Crosswhite makes guest appearance on Washington Grown show

Washington’s farming community has a significant impact on our lives. Washington Grown, a locally broadcasted show, highlights the state’s food industry and helps Washingtonians learn more about the food our state supplies locally and globally. “From the field to the plate and everything in between”, Washington Grown tells the story of Washington’s rich variety of crops that supply our meals, economy, and culture.

For two years in a row, Human Physiology’s Assistant Professor, Patrick Crosswhite, has contributed to two seasons of Washington Grown, and appeared in a total of 26 episodes. 

“In today’s fast paced life, it is really easy to be disconnected from the farmers or people that grow your food when we go to supermarkets and pick food from a shelf,” Crosswhite said. “This is why I enjoy working with WA Grown, as they help connect people in the Pacific Northwest to the foods they are purchasing in their grocery stores and markets.”

Each episode centers around one or a group of similar agricultural products that are grown or produced in the state of Washington. Past episodes have featured grapes, apples, wheat, and raspberries, among other crops. Crosswhite’s task was to research and explain the nutritional and health benefits of a given crop or food item in a short segment.

Although Crosswhite did not grow up on a farm, he reminisced about the times he visited his grandparents’ farms and took joy in witnessing the animals and the crops they were raising. In highlighting his interest in participating in the show, Crosswhite noted, “I am from a family of six, so my mother was always cooking, and she loved to get her kids involved in the entire process, all the way from meal planning and trips to the grocery store, and not to mention the kitchen. I realized after moving away from home how connected I was as a child to the food that my family was cooking and consuming.”

Additionally, Crosswhite’s background in human physiology has fueled his personal interest in learning more about food consumption and digestion. “I enjoy learning, and especially teaching my students, about how our body processes nutrients, can nourish our cells, and can help reduce our risk to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” Crosswhite said.

You can check out one of Crosswhite’s segments on Washington Grown here.