Location
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
School
Kent State University
Expertise
Ancestral food traditions, Garden-to-table cooking, Kid-friendly recipes
- Sam first developed an affinity for cooking and family food wisdom at five years old while shadowing her grandmother, who taught her to always keep a stocked pantry.
- In 2020, she purchased a share from her local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share program and received surprise fruit and vegetable deliveries for 13 weeks. She challenged herself to use all the ingredients, developing new recipes—some of which she still uses today.
- She homeschooled her son for a year of pre-kindergarten, incorporating age-appropriate garden chores, cooking (measuring), and foundational nutrition into his curriculum.
Experience
Sam began her career as a student journalist writing for the Daily Kent Stater in 2008. During her time working as a reporter for Sun News and cleveland.com, she covered restaurant openings and their cultural impact in the suburbs as well as how community gardens provide opportunities for generational food education. Most recently she's written for The Bucks County Beacon, covering women's issues with a focus on reproductive rights. She also self-published a children's book, "The Light Inside Your Heart," in 2021. She currently splits her time between freelance writing and mothering. She takes pride in being hands-on with her family's food—from planting spinach and broccoli in her backyard garden to trading crops and recipes with neighbors to preparing and serving meals with her son learning alongside her. She hopes to showcase this passion and inspire readers through her writing for Mashed.
Education
Sam earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University.
Mashed’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to inform and engage our readers, telling them things they need to know, things they want to know, and things they didn't know they wanted to know about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, whether that’s the news of the day or a new original recipe you can try making at home. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our editorial team constantly reviews and updates articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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A new bourbon variety has joined the ranks of Costco's already impressive liquor section. Discerning shoppers eager to size it up wait with bated breath.
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Beverages
By Sam Schroeder
When you need your drink to get cold quickly, there are a handful of ways to do this within 15 minutes. Chances are, you have the necessary tools already.
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Despite being friends with some millennials, overall, Martha Stewart's feeling on the generation 10 years ago wasn't great. Has it changed?
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Beer has a foothold in American drinking culture, but does that mean that a U.S. brand outsells the rest? Quantity-wise, this brew is a national sales leader.
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On a segment of "The View," Whoopi Goldberg expressed her distaste for lobster. It's not about the flavor — instead, a strange dining incident is to blame.
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Anthony Bourdain's legacy lives on through this TikToker, who's so convincing, he'll have you believing he's tapped into the late celeb's soul.
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Keystone Light beer was once offered with lime flavoring, as well as raspberry and lime flavoring. But what happened to these fruity light beers?
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The Rat Pack crafted a brand of mischievous cool that proved to be influential. To drink like Sinatra and friends, you'll need to get cozy with these beverages.
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Saying you can save money at Aldi is like sharing that water is wet. However, there's allegedly a way to buy baked goods at even lower prices than usual.
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Costco shoppers generally praise the chain's food offerings, but a key ingredient in the Canadian version of its blueberry bagels is giving some folks pause.
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We all know honey is the bee's knees, but if you're wondering what the difference is between raw and regular honey, we break it all down for you.
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McDonald's
By Sam Schroeder
The snack wrap returned to McDonald's in 2025, and there are plenty of ways to customize it. We spoke to an expert about how to boost its protein content.
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Casual Dining
By Sam Schroeder
Unique comfort foods are par for the course on "Drive-Ins, Diners and Dives," but when Guy Fieri visited East Indianapolis, this Reuben really surprised him.
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COVID-19 left massive scars on the food world in the form of lost jobs and closed businesses. It also got in the way of this grocery store perk.
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Costing a mere $1.50, Costco's famed hot dog-and-soda combo is absurdly cheap. However, if you replace that drink with bottled water, it might seem overpriced.
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This is the state that has two Costco outposts that are double the size. Learn about where you can experience the unconventional floor plan.
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Redditors have aired their grievances when it comes to this incredibly trashy habit at grocery stores. See what everyone's talking about and if you can relate.
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Melania Trump doesn't spend her days devouring gold-covered chocolate and foot-high bacon sandwiches. Instead, she often opts for these classic healthy foods.
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Meat is practically synonymous with protein, and chicken is undeniably one of the most popular types. But which meats can surpass this poultry's protein?
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If you're an experienced Costco shopper, you know the store doesn't offer single-use shopping bags. You can bring in reusable totes, but there's a catch.
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work alongside Rachael Ray? One former employee knows, and she spilled all the surprising details.
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McDonald's
By Sam Schroeder
Fuller, go easy on this Pepsi competitor! Learn what this Oscar-winning actor ordered from Mickey D's the morning after Hollywood's biggest night.
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Fast Food
By Sam Schroeder
See which fast food spot has customers raising concerns on social media when it comes to its menu pricing and how they're trying to DIY it at home.
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In America, high food prices are a major issue. If the cost of Costco's hot dog and soda combo rose in tandem with inflation, this is how much it would be.
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It's impossible to discuss cowboy cuisine without acknowledging the profound influence of Mexican flavors. Without vaqueros, we wouldn't have these dishes.
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Braised cabbage is a classic dish that works well with a variety of flavors, including this bold and versatile liquid that you can even DIY at home.
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Costco fans have plenty of strong opinions about the warehouse retail chain, and that includes which stores are the best. These five have come out on top.
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