Whole Foods Brings ‘Dark Rye’ to TV

Austin, Texas-based natural and organic food retailer Whole Foods Market is joining forces with the Pivot network to launch a television series called "Dark Rye.” The first episode, hosted by Kirk Lombard, a Bay Area fisherman and forager, airs Jan. 22 at 9:30 p.m. EST.Dark Rye was created as an online magazine by Whole Foods in 2012.

The publication, through stories, recipes and creative projects, explores the realms of food, health, sustainability, design, technology and social enterprise.

"We are really excited to bring the stories of Dark Rye to television, and Pivot is a great partner for this,” said Jacob Ellenberg, “Dark Rye” executive producer. “Participant Media and Pivot’s ethos is similar to that of Whole Foods Market, and we are honored to be working with a company that has already made such a mark on the film community.”

The first season of “Dark Rye” will highlight topics ranging from artists seeking social justice, to entrepreneurs rebuilding Detroit, to culinary masters maintaining sustainable food traditions.