This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by J.M. Hirsch, Food Editor for the Associated Press. Get an insiders view on how food media has grown over the last decade and how Americans are starting to care more about their food and where it comes from. Hear J.M.'s thoughts on culinary education, food stamps and the sustainable food movement. How can we get people back in the kitchen and away from processed foods? Tune in and find out! This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"It is possible to eat really well without blowing the budget. Often, there's a knowledge gap. Those of us who best know how to make a food dollar stretch are the people who least need to to it."

"Once people get back in the kitchen and start cooking, basic skills will be learned and come back."

--J.M. Hirsch, food editor for the Associated Press on Straight, No Chaser

Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil, and food writing are the topics of the day on A Taste of the Past! Linda Pelaccio is joined in the studio by food writer Nancy Harmon Jenkins. Nancy has written for The New York Times, and is the author of books such as The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, The Essential Mediterranean, and an upcoming untitled book about olive oil. Hear how Mediterranean food changes from region to region, and learn why authenticity in food and food writing is so nebulous. Listen in to hear about Nancy's upcoming olive oil excursion, and how to determine olive oil quality. What food cultures excite Nancy? Visit Nancy's website, and find out on this week's installment of A Taste of the Past! This episode has been sponsored by 360 Cookware.

"What I resent more than anything else are people who go to a place and spend three weeks, and grab a bunch of recipes, and go home to write about it or set themselves up as an expert. [20:00]

"One of the worst things that has happened in the world of food media has been the entrance of the blogger." [22:00]

-- Nancy Harmon Jenkins on A Taste of the Past

Propaganda creates reality. Foodiness exists because we continue to consider it real food. Erica is here to continue in her quest to destroy all things foodiness, and convince listeners that real food is real food - and nothing else. Tune in for an exploration into the stranglehold Hollywood and television has on our decision making when it comes to food, and find out how her appearance on Dr. Oz helped move things just so slightly in the direction of what's right. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"You can't have art without enduring suffering." [7:30]

"The turnip growers of America aren't sponsoring shows like the "Biggest Loser" or "The Voice" - foodiness companies are." [11:30]

"Yogurt is a living thing. If you powder it - it's not yogurt anymore." [19:30]

-- Erica Wides on Let's Get Real