Nina Planck

Raised on a family farm in Virginia, Nina Planck was nourished on wholesome fare like raw milk from the family cow and a plethora of vegetables. At the tender age of 9, she began her entrepreneurial journey by selling produce at roadside stands. In 1980, the inception of the first proper farmers’ markets provided the Planck family with a sustainable income and even financed two college educations. Planck deviated from farming to pursue opportunities on Capitol Hill, report for TIME Magazine, and write speeches for the U.S. ambassador to London. However, her passion for local food remained unchanging. In 1999, she opened the first farmers’ market in Islington, London. Her company, London Farmers’ Markets, now runs a network of 18 markets across the city.

Intrigued by England’s finest producers of edibles like roast beef and raw milk cheddar, Planck began to question the conventional dietary advice prevalent in America. After a few years of adhering to vegan, vegetarian, and non-fat lifestyles—all of which she found unsatisfactory for her health—she reembraced the concept of real food. This returned interest resulted in her writing several books, including "The Real Food Cookbook: Traditional Dishes for Modern Cooks," "The Farmers' Market Cookbook," "Real Food: What to Eat and Why," and "Real Food for Mother and Baby."

Planck's exploration of food didn't stop at adult diets. When her son Julian was born in 2006, she found herself navigating through a sea of myths and misunderstandings about real food in relation to prenatal and pediatric nutrition. This led to her debunking each misconception in her direct style, which she shared with the world in her book "Real Food for Mother and Baby." Beyond writing, Planck stirred conversations with her controversial criticism of an exclusively vegan diet for babies and children expressed in a New York Times op-ed. Currently, Planck resides in New York City with her husband, Rob Kaufelt, a "cheesemonger" selling plenty of real food at Murray’s Cheese, and their children, including Julian.