How Food Consultants are Creating Stronger Farmers with Candace Spencer

LISTEN TO LEARN

Why law school fails at teaching you to be a lawyerThe importance of mentorship when choosing a law schoolFood deserts and how to advance racial equity in food justiceWhat is a food consultant?

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WHAT WE DISCUSS

How to create a dairy-free holiday mealWhy a lawyer would create a YouTube channelPodcasts about food and agriculture, like the podcast Black in the GardenWhy law schools should eliminate the grading curve 

Candace Spencer was destined to become a food consultant. At eight years old, her mother discovered that Candace had a food allergy and Candace started the journey of living (and eating) dairy-free. 

When her father encouraged Candace to attend law school, this was a seed that would grow into Candace founding a food and legal consultancy, where she teaches others how to live empowered lives. 

“I tell everyone that law school sucks,” explains Candace Spencer. Candace shares how law school is a system not designed for everyone to win. The systematic racism and competition ingrained in law school makes higher education a difficult experience for Black people. But Candace Spencer endured law school and had no idea what she wanted to do after graduation. However, Candace quickly looked toward food advocacy, an issue that has always been a large part of her life. 

Honestly, food restrictions are very serious… but often overlooked by people who don’t experience them. This is why Candace insists on teaching others how to openly discuss their dietary restrictions and how to insist that friends keep their restrictions in mind when choosing restaurants and other events to attend. 

“I helped my friend create a dairy-free Thanksgiving menu,” shared Candace Spencer during the interview. I also teach others how to discuss their allergies without shame and how to use different phrases to mention their dietary restrictions. This is why Candace Spencer believes in food advocacy. After working for a non-profit agency, Candace then moved into a mediator role. Candace is passionate about teaching Black people how to run stronger farms and how to fight food inequities. 

Candace Spencer has a side hustle, where she works as a food and legal consultant. In her food consultancy, Candace empowers others to discuss their dietary restrictions and embrace dairy-free living. Candace created the YouTube channel, Spilled Milk, where she touts “There’s no crying over spilled milk… We weren’t going to drink it anyway.”

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EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - INTRO

00:29 - Welcome to the podcast!

00:33 - Would you tell the audience about yourself, Candace Spencer?

00:58 - Have you always enjoyed baking? Do you like to bake everything? Where did this love of baking come from? I’ve watched your YouTube videos on the Spilled Milk channel. 

01:39 - You can be a baker and a lawyer. This platform is all about doing everything. Did you grow up enjoying sweets and did your mom use a lot of cookbooks when you were a kid?

02:42 - I read cookbooks because I find them relaxing. I have at least 18 cookbooks. Do you still enjoy cookbooks and have you found dairy-free cookbooks?

03:47 - Not following the recipe is very ‘anti-lawyer;’ you’re making things fit into what you want.

04:23 You went to undergrad and law school at the University of Florida. Did you enjoy law school?

06:33 - You have to find the practical courses in law school or you will only learn theory. I was lucky to find Southern University Law Center because I didn’t attend an HBCU in law school. 

07:30 - Discussion about how to find the right law school and being determined to leave your home state; Kyla ran from Ohio and Candace wanted to run away from Florida. 

08:41 - You were eight years old when you discovered your food allergy. Now you work as a food consultant. What do you do as a dairy-free consultant?

09:47 - So you are empowering people in being dairy-free. It is more than just getting a Whopper with no cheese because there are restaurants that butter their bread. 

10:45 - Let’s discuss your YouTube channel, Spilled Milk, where you mention “No need cry over spilled milk because we are not going to drink it anyway.” Why did you start the Spilled Milk YouTube channel and why is it so important to you?

12:37 - It is an important distinction that eggs are not included in being dairy-free. Dairy sections of grocery stores often include eggs and cheese in the area

13:10 - Jeni’s Ice Cream makes a lot of dairy-free ice cream options and it is so good and the calories are a lot less than the dairy-based ice cream flavors. Are you a fan of dairy-free desserts? 

13:53 - I love your platform because if you, Candace, can say that you don't eat dairy or I don't feel good when you eat dairy. But when you empower another person and that motivates someone else to speak up, then we can have a movement.

14:29 - You are currently in Washington, D.C. When brought you to DC?

15:14 - Is your current job food and agriculture policy?

15:34 - What does a typical day look like as a mediator for a nonprofit consulting firm?

16:15 - I am picturing you in an office, wearing a white lab coat with beakers and creating the reports that tell the public where there is a romaine lettuce shortage. Is this the case?

17:02 - This is very interesting because you don't work for the USDA and a mediation firm that works with the USDA. I am excited to be informing the public about food justice and the fact that food and agriculture mediation exists. 

17:53 - I’m listening to all the jargon that you have from being in this space! 

18:22 - I saw on your website, www.candaceaspencer.com, that you also do legal consulting. How is that going and is it also in the food space?

19:51 I love the look of your website. You mention that you want to “Bring justice to the food system for Black people.” Why this specific group of people and how do you bring justice to the food system?

21:38 You even have the privilege of being in food and agriculture, because I don't know many Black and brown people in this space. 

22:10 - I know you wouldn't have your legal consultancy without going to law school, but how do you think law school has helped with running other businesses and starting your YouTube channel?

23:09 - So you hated law school, even though you love being a lawyer. You said that you always wanted to be a lawyer. Did you always feel that way, or did you consider doing something else than looking at law school?

24:36 - I hope the audience is capturing that you can write your own ticket and do whatever you need to do to advocate in law school. Even though the law is a tool, you can be rebellious and put applesauce in a recipe if you want and who is gonna stop me?

25:12 - Is there anything that you would like to share about being a lawyer, what it takes to become a lawyer

26:20 - There is room to be creative in the law. 

26:30 - OUTRO - Thank you for listening to You Are A Lawyer. Rate the podcast and join the email list to get new episodes in your email inbox.

Candace Spencer is licensed to practice law in Florida. Learn mor...