There are few topics more important in this country than the health of our children, and this week on Straight, No Chaser host Katy Keiffer chats with Jessica Donze Black, project director for the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project at the Pew Health Group, The Pew Charitable Trusts. Together they discuss some of the efforts being made to ensure that all of the food choices available to kids at school are healthy choices. Find out how vending machines can be used for good and why standards like snacks and bake sales need to be re-imagined to achieve food safety at our schools. Learn more about healthy school food here. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"What we want to do is set minimum standards so that all children have access to healthy food choices. We want parents to be comfortable knowing that ALL of the food choices that their children would have at school would be choices [the parents] would be comfortable with."

"The beverage industry has agreed to stop selling full sugar-sweetened beverages to schools, such as full-sugar soda."

"New York is a place that has made some significant changes in the school environment and in early childhood development. So far the results are really encouraging."

--Jessica Donze Black, project director for the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project on Straight, No Chaser

Leah Eden calls Patty Lovera from Food & Water Watch to talk about the new federal legislation that was introduced that would require the labeling of all genetically-engineered foods. Tune into this HRN Community Session to learn more about what food products would be labeled under the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. Patty talks about the possibility of genetically-engineered fish entering the market, and how that affects certain food regulations. Learn a little history about health labeling for food in the United States, and hear why GMO products can so easily sneak their way into your otherwise healthy meal. To find out more information about the bill check out www.FoodandWaterWatch.org and to show your support for this bill head over to Center for Food Safety’s online letter. This program has been sponsored by Route 11 Potato Chips. Thanks to Obey City for today's sounds.

"A lot of the genetically-engineered foods that we come across are hidden... sugar from GMO sugar beets, or oils that might be genetically-engineered." [14:00] -- Patty Lovera of Food & Water Watch

This week's guest on Chef's Story is Robert Surles, better known as Chef Bobo, Executive Chef at The Calhoun School and a leader in the school food revolution. Tune in to hear how he discovered cooking and went from a freelance chef at ING to cooking for Derek Jeter. Chef Bobo explains how he tries to transform the way children eat in cafeterias at schools, and why it's not always easy to break bad food habits. From fresh pasta to salad bars to chicken etouffee, Chef Bobo has dedicated his career to making sure kids are introduced to the highest quality foods and learn about healthy eating. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"Kids [actually] love vegetables!"

"Our chefs not only cook the food, they serve it. They encourage the kids. There's something magic about that white jacket we take out there."

"High school seniors that have eaten my food at the school for 10 years can't even eat at fast food restaurants anymore. The overlying taste has become offensive to them."

--Chef Bobo on Chef's Story