Ruby Luna
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KUOW Public Radio reporter. Reluctant tweeter. rdeluna@kuow.org
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Articles by Ruby Luna
Want to reduce food waste? Turn your kitchen scraps into something tasty
Seattle chef Joel Gamoran demonstrates how to turn a banana peel into bacon. KUOW Photo/Ruby de Luna Washington's Department of Ecology wants you to think twice before throwing out those kitchen scraps — they could be something delicious. With a little help from local chef Joel Gamoran, you can up your kitchen game, so less food waste goes into the trash. When KUOW visited Gamoran’s Seattle kitchen, he was cooking what seemed like bacon.
Seattle businesses caught in tug of war between app companies and delivery drivers
Within weeks of Seattle's new minimum wage for gig workers, often drivers for delivery apps, another debate has emerged over its effects. Some businesses and drivers argue that they're losing money. Other drivers say the new law is working. Seattle's City Council is now considering what to do next. Just three months into Seattle’s new gig worker minimum wage law, a Seattle City Council committee is considering changing it, prompting another debate over gig worker pay in the city.
These Seattle area brewers want to change beer's bro image
Beer brewing has a reputation of being for bros with beards. But long ago, beer making was women’s work. Now, a growing number of Seattle area women are reclaiming that heritage. In a male-dominated industry, there are a lot of assumptions about women and their brewing abilities. Leslie Shore experienced this when she began brewing professionally 15 years ago. “You had to be very on the ball with your knowledge, and you had to be firm about it, and you couldn’t back down,” Shore said.
The FTC sued to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger. Now what?
In this March 1, 2011, file photo, a worker stocks the fresh meat shelves at a Kroger Co. supermarket, in Cincinnati. The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general for eight states and the District of Columbia are suing in an attempt to stop the merger of Kroger and Albertsons, the country's two largest grocery store companies. Federal and state officials argue the merger would "eliminate fierce competition" for both shoppers and workers, and lead to higher grocery prices.
Grocery worker protections move forward in Washington in preparation for merger disruptions
Diane Martin Rudnick is portrayed while grocery shopping on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at Fred Meyer along Aurora Avenue North in Shoreline. KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer A bill protecting Washington state grocery workers is heading to Gov. Inslee's desk amid the Kroger-Albertsons merger. By a vote of 60-33 on Thursday, House lawmakers approved legislation requiring most grocery workers in the state to be retained for at least six months after stores begin operating under the merger.
Can you find a good bagel in Seattle? A New York aficionado does a taste test
Contesters had to try 13 pieces of bagels during Bagel Quest, on February 17, 2024. KUOW/Juan Pablo Chiquiza People have strong feelings about bagels. Just ask Carrine Fisher, a native New Yorker, what makes a good bagel and the first thing she mentions is texture. “A good bagel is definitely crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, but not gummy,.” Fisher said. She poked a sliced bagel for emphasis.
Washington grocery workers hope for protections if Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through
In this March 1, 2011, file photo, a worker stocks the fresh meat shelves at a Kroger Co. supermarket, in Cincinnati. Grocery workers concerned about the Kroger-Albertsons merger’s impact on their jobs, are hoping a bill in Olympia will offer some protection. ESSB 6007 would require the new company to retain workers for six months. Those who are let go would be compensated. The bill passed the Senate 32-16 earlier this month. Now it’s in the House for consideration.
Another Seattle neighborhood loses its beloved produce market
Residents are mourning the closure of another Seattle neighborhood produce market. Rising Sun Produce, on the corner of 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 65th Street, is boarded up. The smell of smoke and soot linger. Burnt boxes and other cardboard debris line the loading area. Burnt cardboards and other debris line the loading dock of Rising Sun Produce in Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood.
Food, events, and the wider meaning of this Lunar New Year
Kyle Nguyen, 7, rests on a bench as the Mak Fai Dragon and Lion dancers get ready for several performances ahead of the Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer Lunar New Year is upon us, with festivities planned around our region. KUOW’s Ruby de Luna talked to Kim Malcolm about food, events, and why the holiday is so significant for Asian Americans.
Get into the spirit of Lunar New Year: Make dumplings
Saturday marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, in the lunar calendar. Lunar New Year festivities are on the rise as Seattle's Asian population continues to grow. But they’re not all parades and lion dances. It’s a time to feast. But the food composing a Lunar New Year feast should feature dishes that symbolize good health, abundance, and prosperity. This is why dumplings are popular. They resemble money pouches or gold ingots. They represent wealth. Fillings vary.
Thursday Headlines
• Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities. More stories from Ruby de Luna » • Andy Hurst is the senior producer for KUOW’s local broadcast of All Things Considered. He works behind the scenes to produce the conversations you hear each day with newsmakers, community members, experts, and journalists. More stories from Andy Hurst »
These Washington restaurants are semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Award
Sup Shop, a pho restaurant in Seattle, bustles with guests. Pho is so popular in Seattle that it may be the city's unofficial soup. Owners Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham were nominated for Best Restaurateur in 2024. KUOW/ Juan Pablo Chiquiza If the James Beard Awards are the Oscars for chefs and restaurants, then Washington state is shining bright in 2024— a mix of 14 Washington chefs and restaurants have been nominated. RELATED: There are as many pho restaurants as Starbucks coffee shops in Seattle.
Should rules around gift cards be relaxed in Washington state, or is that a recipe for fraud?
A gift card display at the Safeway store in Seattle's University District. Retailers are speaking out against proposed changes to gift card laws in Washington state as the 2024 legislative session gets underway in Olympia. One bill under consideration would allow consumers to cash out their gift cards if there’s a $50 balance or less. Right now, the threshold is $5. Crystal Leatherman of the Washington Retail Association told a Senate committee the proposal would make businesses vulnerable to crime.
Washington state AG sues to block Kroger-Albertsons grocery merger
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces an antitrust lawsuit challenging the merger between grocery companies Kroger and Albertsons in January 2024. Courtesy of Washington State Attorney Generals Office Washington is challenging the merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, the first state to file suit to block the $25 billion dollar deal. Attorney General Bob Ferguson says the merger is bad for Washington consumers.
Friday Headlines
• Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities. More stories from Ruby de Luna » • Andy Hurst is the senior producer for KUOW’s local broadcast of All Things Considered. He works behind the scenes to produce the conversations you hear each day with newsmakers, community members, experts, and journalists. More stories from Andy Hurst »
Still grappling with staff shortages, Seattle area restaurants get creative
A hiring sign is posted outside business in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., on Feb. 22. Employers are keen for workers as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic. AP Holiday parties seem to be in full swing after a three-year hiatus during Covid — many of them taking place in restaurants. While it’s good news for businesses, staffing is still an issue for the hospitality sector. Ray’s Boathouse has been enjoying a rebound.
'It adds up.' Consumer group alleges Starbucks' app traps customers into paying more
Two LAPD Helicopters Are Flying Around For 20 Hours Almost Every Single Day of The Year, According to New Audit
'It adds up.' Consumer group alleges Starbucks' app traps customers into paying more
Consumer advocates are calling on the Washington State Attorney General's Office to investigate what they say are manipulative practices related to Starbucks’ Rewards program. Speaking outside the Starbucks First Avenue and Pike Street shop, advocates recently argued that the coffee giant's mobile app is designed to make it difficult for consumers to spend down existing balances.
JuneBaby, acclaimed Seattle soul food restaurant, to close at year’s end
Edouardo Jordan poses for a portrait on Wednesday December 6, 2017, at JuneBaby in Seattle. KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer The restaurant that put Seattle on the map for Southern cooking will soon close. Chef Edouardo Jordan announced he’s closing JuneBaby permanently. JuneBaby opened in 2017, a follow-up to Jordan’s first restaurant, Salare. Unlike Salare’s Italian and French influences, JuneBaby focused on recipes from Jordan's grandmother’s cooking, including fried chicken, chitterlings, and pound cake.
KUOW - Housing
Housing You need to earn how much for a 'starter home' in Seattle?! A person would have to earn a $173,378 annual salary to earn what Redfin considers a "starter home" in Seattle, according to Redfin. Housing Airbnbs, short-term rentals face uncertain future following crackdown in Port Angeles The City of Port Angeles is deciding how to regulate short term rentals that show up on Airbnb and VRBO.
Advocates call on Congress to fully fund food program for mothers and babies
Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a federal nutrition program, is so uncertain that states may be forced to turn away families with babies starting next year. Since 1997, WIC hasn’t turned away applicants because the program has enjoyed bipartisan backing. But that support is in doubt as lawmakers clash over funding for the next fiscal year. The program is facing a $1 billion dollar budget shortfall.
Studies show link between food insecurity and housing instability
C'zar Carter-Alexander shops at the Ballard Food Bank on Monday, April 3, 2023. KUOW photo/Kate Walters King County is seeing a surge in evictions this winter. That means families are also struggling to buy food. More than 600 eviction cases were filed in October, according to Edmund Witter, managing attorney at the Housing Justice Project, which provides legal aid to renters facing eviction. Witter said he saw a lot of evictions during the Great Recession in 2008.
It's in the bag! Washington's best baggers perform great grocery feats
1 of 3 Emma Beeler, holding trophy, is Washington's top bagger of 2023. She poses with contest sponsors, including the Washington Food Industry Association. Ruby de Luna / KUOW On your mark. Get set. Bag! This week, Washington state’s five top grocery baggers faced off in Shoreline for a chance to represent the Evergreen State on the national stage. The check stands here were filled with cereal boxes, canned food, bags of chips, and a range of other common goods.
NW volunteers are baking a difference from their home kitchens
Federal Way resident Randy Cummings is a volunteer baker with Community Loaves. He devotes three days a week to baking for his local food bank. KUOW Photo/Juan Pablo Chiquiza If Randy Cummings could pick a dream job, it would be to open a bakery and bake bread, all day, for his local food bank. Currently, he bakes bread for the food bank three days a week at his Federal Way home.
Fancy food for bite-sized prices, Seattle Restaurant Week offers a taste of the high life
Rachel Yang, owner and chef of Revel, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in Seattle. KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer Seattle-area restaurants would like you to dine out more often. They’re still trying to get their groove back post-pandemic. Many are hoping Seattle Restaurant Week, a two-week dining event starting Oct. 22, will provide a much-needed boost. Many restaurants may look busy, but behind the scenes, it’s a different story.
MacPherson's, longtime Seattle produce market, is closing
MacPherson's Fruit and Produce has been a fixture on Beacon Hill for more than three decades. KUOW Photo/Ruby de Luna MacPherson’s Fruit and Produce, a longtime fixture on Beacon Hill, will close in coming weeks. Owner Greg MacPherson declined to comment. An employee said he’s not ready to talk and feeling emotional about the decision. The employee said rising food costs have played a role. She also noted that ever since Mercer Middle School closed for demolition, business dropped.
There are as many pho restaurants as Starbucks coffee shops in Seattle. Here's why
Sup Shop, a pho restaurant in Seattle, bustles with guests. Pho is so popular in Seattle that it may be the city's unofficial soup. KUOW/ Juan Pablo Chiquiza If an alien landed in Seattle, it might get the impression the city runs on coffee and pho. There are as many pho restaurants as Starbucks coffee shops. This humble soup, a breakfast staple in Vietnam, has become a Seattle mainstay, thanks to the refugees who made their home in Washington state following the collapse of South Vietnam.
Will those 413 Kroger and Albertsons store stay open--or be sold for their land value?
A QFC in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. Union leaders representing grocery workers are denouncing the proposed sale of 413 Kroger and Albertsons stores across the country as part of the merger. Of those stores, 104 are in Washington state. They question whether the buyer, C&S Wholesale Grocers, intends to operate the stores. John Marshall, financial analyst for UFCW 3000, says the agreement with C&S doesn’t include assets like customer data.
Here's what we know, and don't know about the Kroger Albertsons announcement to sell 413 stores
When Kroger announced plans to acquire Albertsons nearly a year ago, the big question was: Which stores will be closed in the merger process? When two giant companies merge, federal antitrust laws could kick in, prompting the companies to sell off some stores in order to please the Federal Trade Commission. That's currently the plan for Kroger and Albertsons. On Friday, the two companies announced an agreement to sell 413 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, including 104 in Washington state.
Mutual Fish, Seattle's go-to seafood market, to close after 77 years
1 of 4 L-R Harry Yoshimura has been running Mutual Fish Co. with son Kevin and sister Lisa. KUOW/Juan Pablo Chiquiza A beloved Seattle fish market will close its doors permanently next week. After nearly 77 years, owners of Mutual Fish in Rainier Valley quietly announced their retirement on Facebook over Labor Day weekend. Since then, the store has been flooded with phone calls from old friends and businesses. Owner Harry Yoshimura said he’s amazed by the response.
Helping Black-owned businesses get off the ground and into Seattle stores
MariChris Brown pictured next to her candied pecans in Tukwila. Photo courtesy of PCC Community Markets Half of small businesses fail in their first year. For Black entrepreneurs, the obstacles are even more daunting. Many don’t have the kind of support that white business owners have when launching a new venture. But there are local efforts trying to change that. One of the biggest challenges is knowing where to start.
Heading out to Bumbershoot this weekend? Check out the food options, too
The Bumbershoot Festival in 2016. Seattle Center/David Conger A Seattle fall tradition returns this Labor Day weekend after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Bumbershoot highlights Pacific Northwest music and arts. But the festival’s food lineup is worth checking out, too. This year’s lineup, curated by Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell, may be local, but the flavors are global. Tina Fahnbulleh is owner and chef of Gold Coast Gahl Kitchen.
Following Tokitae's sudden death, Northwest tribes call for repatriation of orca's remains
Tokitae, the orca who died suddenly last week before her scheduled return to the Pacific Northwest, has been sent to the University of Georgia for an autopsy. It was a move that the Lummi Nation, one of the groups working to bring Tokita home to the Salish Sea, said blindsided them. The tribe is now calling for the orca's remains to be returned to the region.
Need to cool off? Here are some heat wave-friendly snacks
Staying cool is more than turning on the AC and drinking lots of water. What you eat can also make a difference. Let’s face it, you can only drink so much water to stay hydrated. University of Washington dietitian Kelly Morrow said certain foods like cucumbers and melons can do the same job, too. “The thing about cucumbers and melons, they have that thick rind,” Morrow said.
Friday Headlines
Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities.
These food entrepreneurs want your vote for Seattle City Council
Public safety is one of the top issues of the 2023 primary election. It’s one of the issues that prompted several candidates who built their careers in the food business to enter the city council race. Stephen Brown founded Eltana Bagels on Capitol Hill. Now he’s running for the City Council seat in District 1. He says Seattle is facing a fork on the road as it emerges from the pandemic. He says his experience as an entrepreneur and his values would be helpful.
Seattle moves one step closer to protecting gig workers from abrupt termination
A Seattle city council committee has approved an ordinance that sets guidelines for app-based companies to provide notice and an appeals process before terminating workers. Last year, Carmen Figueroa was fired after four years of delivery work at GrubHub. She told the council committee it took a while before she found out what prevented her from being able to accept new work orders, making her “deactivated” as it’s called in the industry.
Seattle's popular restaurant Canlis sued for wage theft
The prestigious Canlis restaurant in Seattle is being sued for wage theft. The class action suit, which was first reported by the Seattle Times, alleges the fine dining restaurant has violated Seattle’s Wage Theft Ordinance. The suit states that Canlis has been collecting a 20% service charge, with a disclosure that the fee would be distributed to staff. But two former workers say the money went to the restaurant instead.
Prestigious Seattle restaurant Canlis sued for wage theft
Why you can trust KUOW Ruby de Luna Reporter Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities. More stories from Ruby de Luna »
Washington crime rates rose in 2022, report says
Homicide and car theft rates are up in Washington state, according to data from 2022. But hate crimes went down slightly. A new report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs aggregates crime statistics from 2022, indicating an overall rise in crime. Executive Director Steven Strachan says it’s not clear what the data signals as a long term trend. He stresses that it’s important victims feel comfortable to file a report.
Homicide and car theft rates are up in Washington
Why you can trust KUOW Ruby de Luna Reporter Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities. More stories from Ruby de Luna »
The little Kitsap co-op that could
Only a handful of companies dominate today’s grocery landscape. And that could shrink even more if regulators approve the Albertsons-Kroger merger. Increasingly communities like Bremerton, where stores are already scarce, are looking to food co-ops as an alternative model. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Kahala Pantohan is paying for her purchase at Kitsap Community Food Co-op. Pantohan has lived in the area for three decades, but this is her first time at the co-op.
Tukwila workers will see a big bump on their next paychecks
Tukwila will soon join Seattle and SeaTac in raising its minimum wage. Beginning Saturday, July 1, thousands of workers will earn just under $19 dollars an hour. Last fall, Tukwila voters approved an initiative to raise the minimum wage by more than $3 in the city. “That will certainly help,” said Katie Wilson of the Transit Riders Union, one of groups that helped campaign for the raise.
Kids in this small Washington town worry about food when school is out for summer
Summer can be tough for low-income students who depend on school for most of their meals. But it’s especially tougher for kids living in rural Washington. That’s because the hurdles to addressing food insecurity here are often more complicated, compared to urban areas. E ach week Shelley Acuña tows her trailer full of bagged food to Concrete, Wash. Her first stop is Concrete Elementary School. Soon after she parks the truck, a handful of students come by to help her unload.
King County Council to vote on bill requiring businesses to accept cash
Many businesses have gone cashless, especially during the pandemic. But that may not be an option in unincorporated King County. Members of the King County Council are slated to vote Tuesday afternoon on a bill that requires retailers to accept cash. Many retailers have stopped accepting cash for various reasons — to avoid handling costs, prevent theft, or to help speed up transactions.
Federal debt ceiling deal shrinks spending, but critics warn food bank lines will grow
Both the U.S. House and now the Senate have approved the federal debt ceiling agreement. But not everyone’s happy about the deal. A dozen Washington organizations that work with low-income families are decrying cuts that are critical to food and anti-poverty programs. “Bottom line, this agreement is going to increase hunger,” said Christina Wong, public policy and advocacy director at Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit that supports food banks across the state.
Seattle introduces legislation to protect gig workers from abrupt termination
Network companies such as Uber and GrubHub use the term “deactivation” to describe workers being effectively fired and no longer able to accept new work orders. This week the Seattle City Council will introduce a bill aimed at protecting gig workers from sudden deactivation, which will provide transparency guidelines for companies that engage in the practice. Triny Hernandez was making a delivery last October when DoorDash sent notice that her account was being deactivated.
What to expect when you're expecting a grocery merger
How much do you love your local grocery store, and what would you do if it went away? In October of last year, executives at grocery store chains Kroger and Albertsons announced they had come to a merger agreement: Kroger was seeking to buy all of Albertsons' outstanding shares for an estimated $24.6 billion. Though the deal is far from done, the announcement caused a bit of an uproar. The companies have faced multiple lawsuits challenging the merger, as well as scrutiny from Congress.
State of the Cart
Grocery shopping is something we all do, and it's highly personal. People have strong feelings about where and how they get their food. The proposed $25 billion merger of two of the nation's largest supermarket chains has the potential to affect how millions of customers buy their groceries.
South Lake Union businesses welcome Amazon workers' return to office
Thousands of Amazon workers are slated to return the office, after three years of working remotely. It’s the news that downtown Seattle businesses have been waiting for, particularly shops that cater to lunch crowds. Beginning this month, thousands of Amazon workers are expected to be in the office at least three days a week. There is hope that the presence of more office workers signals a return to life as it was before the pandemic. RELATED: Seattle employers beckon workers back to the office.
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