What Doesn't Kill You

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 1 - Cookbook Authors Kathy Gunst, Katherine Alford, and Libbie Summers

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:46:50 -0000

Straight, No Chaser debuts! Tune in as Katy Keiffer starts the show off right with three talented food personalities and cookbook authors. Hear from Katy Gunst, author of "Notes from a Maine Kitchen: Seasonally Inspired Recipes", Katherine Alford, director of the Food Network Test Kitchen & Libbie Summers, author of "Whole Hog Cookbook". Find out what it takes to write a successful cookbook and how recipe testing, "irreverence" , and finance all play in to the final product. All three guests remind listeners why food and cooking should be fun above all else. This episode was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 2 - Catskill Mountain Keeper Wes Gillingham, Hydrofracking

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:38:35 -0000

The hydrofracking debate is as important as ever and host Katy Keiffer speaks about our water supply with Wes Gillingham of Catskill Mountain Keeper on the 2nd installment of Straight, No Chaser. Listen in and get caught up with recent developments surrounding flowback water and open storage containers. How long do gas wells last? Will drilling affect our water supply and health? Tune in to find the answers to these questions and more. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 3 - Occupy Against Big Food

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:03:39 -0000

On this week's edition of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by food activists Erika Lade and Kristin Wartman to discuss yesterday's Occupy Against Big Food Rally. Tune in and find out more about the growing movement to change our food system in this country. Can things be fixed by venture capitalists and corporations or do we have to take things into our own hands? Tune in and get inspired! This episode was sponsored by Fairway Market.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 4 - Brooklyn Grange; Urban Ag

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:28:13 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by one of the founders of The Brooklyn Grange, a one-acre rooftop farm in Long Island City. Tune in to hear how the farm was started and how vertical and rooftop farming can play a huge role in the future of agriculture in urban areas. Find out what the guys at The Brooklyn Grange are up to right now, and make sure to vote for them in the BBC's World Challenge. Vote here! This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 5 - Author Ben Hewitt;" Making Supper Safe"

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:14:51 -0000

Food Safety is the theme on this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser hosted by Katy Keiffer. Listen in as she speaks with Ben Hewitt, author of "Making Supper Safe: One Man’s Quest to Learn the Truth About Food Safety", who dispels many food safety myths relating to acute foodborne illness, bacteria and pasteurization. Learn more about the pressing issue of drug resistant bacterium and find out why sub therapeutic antibiotics used to promote growth in livestock are so dangerous. This episode was sponsored by Heritage Foods USA.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 6 - Author Alex Prud'homme, "The Ripple Effect"

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:28:46 -0000

Water is the defining resources of the 21st century. Learn more about our water supply and why the issues surrounding our reserves are so important on an informative episode of Straight, No Chaser with Katy Keiffer and guest Alex Prud'homme, author of "The Ripple Effect". Tune in to learn about everything from Dick Cheney's Halliburton Loophole and how it's affected the Clean Water Act, how Eastern water law differs from ours, and why climate change and population growth play an important role in how we think about our water. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

Straight No Chaser - Episode 7 - Food Safety Attorney Bill Marler, Food Borne Illnesses

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:03:26 -0000

This week Straight, No Chaser takes on foodborne illness when lawyer Bill Marler joins host Katy Keiffer. Marler began representing victims of foodborne illness in 1993, when he represented the most seriously injured survivor of the Jack in the Box E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Since then he has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness, including Stephanie Smith, the subject of a Pulitzer Prize winning story in the NY Times magazine, about E. coli contamination. So tune in to get the latest news on apple juice and arsenic, the American Meat Institute and new screening processes, and finally the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics. This episode is sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 8 - Nrdc And As You Sow, Nanotechnology In Food

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:19:58 -0000

What is nano technology and how does it relate to food? Tune in to a scientific episode of Straight, No Chaser and find out about how things like nano silver in food packaging can potentially be harmful if it gets in our food. The FDA's existing regulations do not require nano technology to be tested for in food, and Katy speaks with Michael Passoff, Senior Strategist on Environmental Health Issues for As You Sow & Dr. Jennifer Sass of the Natural Resources Defense Council to learn more about nano particles and how they relate our food safety. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"The FDA's existing regulations do not require nano technology to be tested for in food" - Michael Passoff on Straight, No Chaser, 12/11/11

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 9 - Author Sam Fromartz; Food And Environmental Reporting Network

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:19:48 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy is joined by the new Editor-in-Chief of the Food and Environment Reporting Network. Sam discusses how food writing and blogging has changed over the years and what it takes to create an interesting online publication in today's digital landscape. Hear his thoughts on waste management, industrial agriculture and the issues facing the dairy industry. This episode was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"The most important thing about food, agriculture and environmental health is the fact that they are connected."

"Farmers are in-tune to climate, more than anybody else."

--Sam Fromartz on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 10 - Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Farm Bill

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:50:30 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of the great state of Maine. Tune in for a lively discussion on all things related to food, agriculture, policy and the way we feed our nation. Find out what Congresswoman Pingree is trying to achieve with her Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act including incentives for fisheries, value added producer grants and improvements to school food programs. Hear more about the 2012 Farm Bill and find out how young farmers are changing the landscape of food production in our nation. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Kids have a great palate, we just don't give them the opportunity to develop it."
"Patriotism used to be supporting family farms and communities, not shipping tomatoes on a truck from Florida across the country."
--- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 11 - Michael Conard Of Urban Design Lab : Food Systems And Urban Agriculture

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:35:52 -0000

You may think you've had extra virgin olive oil, but there's a good chance you haven't. Tune in to an informative episode of Straight, No Chaser as Katy Keiffer chats with Tom Mueller, author of "Extra Virginity", about the process of making and distributing olive oil. Learn what makes true extra virgin olive oil so expensive and how some labels are completely misleading. Hear about the many different varieties of olive oil and find out how the range of varietals are very similar to wine. Experts and novices alike can learn something new about one of the most integral ingredients in our culinary landscape. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Real extra virgin olive oil is a fresh squeezed fruit juice. It's expensive to make, you have to take good care of the trees. Harvesting costs alone can be staggering."
"There is no such thing as second pressed extra virgin olive oil."
"Olive oil is a bit like wine, each varietal is completely different."
--Tom Mueller, author of "Extra Virginity" on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 12 - Chuck Jolley, Cattle Industry Expert, Pink Slime

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:47:39 -0000

You've heard about it, you've seen it, but what IS "pink slime"? This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by meat industry expert and president of The Meat Industry Hall of fame Chuck Jolley. Chuck explains what makes price points so sensitive with ground beef and how the industry has adapted with products such as the aforementioned "pink slime". With the slime now being tossed aside in the industry, what's next? Will things get better or worse? Find out all about some of the truths and misconceptions behind big meat from a true insider. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"A lot of people in the industry object to the pink slime moniker. It's not slimy, it's meat."
"When meat is deboned, there's always a little trim left over and there was never a good use for that trim. Eldon Roth decided that if we could make this perfectly clean and sanitary, it would be perfect for ground meat."
"Jamie Oliver is the single biggest culprit in [the misrepresentation of the meat industry]. He spoke in almost complete ignorance of the process and the product. There was no scientific basis."
"Most people buy ground meat based on cost. The industry has known for years that ground beef is the most price sensitive product."
"The vast majority of antibiotics used in feedlots are not the same products as are used on humans. At this point my gut reaction is that the industry may be using too many antibiotics but not nearly as much as some say."
--Meat industry expert Chuck Jolley on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 13 - Michael Conard Of Urban Design Lab : Food Systems And Urban Agriculture

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:42:11 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by Michael Conard, the Assistant Director of the Urban Design Lab. Tune in for an intense discussion on re-imagining regional and nationalized food systems and implementing improved infrastructure into these systems. They also explore the links between food and health and the potential for venture capitalism in creating more regionalized food hubs. Hear about some of the change that could be possible with an overturn of many of the systems and political models when it comes to food in the United States. This episode was sponsored by Fairway Market.

"There people who are thinking about [venture capital]. It's just beginning to be directed and invested. We're working with people talking about regionalized food hubs attached to health care facilities. "
--Michael Conard, Assistant Director of the Urban Design Lab on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 14 - Author Timothy Pachirat: "Every 12 Seconds Industrialized Slaughter And The Politics Of Sight"

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:37:48 -0000

Katy Keiffer has a deep discussion about slaughterhouses and transparency with the author of "Every Twelve Seconds: Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight", Timothy Pachirat. How do people deal with the routine slaughter of animals? How can we successfully compute and understand the practice of animal processing on a human and emotional level? Tune in and get an insiders perspective on transparency, morality and the many implications of eating meat. Carnivores and vegetarians alike can learn something new from this show. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"I do think there is something significant to the act of taking life...What happens to the way we think about these practices if we begin to collapse some of the distances that shield us from having to confront the realities that they demand?"
"What I really want to get across is that there's absolutely something that happens in the act of taking another life. The current industrialized meat model allows people to eat meat without confronting that something. I believe that is deeply problematic."
--Author Timothy Pachirat on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 15 - Food Safety Attorney Bill Marler: Raw Milk

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:49:59 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer has an in-depth conversation on raw milk and food borne illness with Bill Marler, the managing partner of the Seattle law firm Marler and Clark, and a nationally recognized expert in food safety. Tune in and learn about some of historical context behind raw milk and some of its inherent risks. Can we find a safe way to distribute raw milk? Is the risk worth the reward? What other problems do we face concerning food borne illness? Find out the answers to these questions and more! This program was sponsored by Fairway Market.

"People read studies the way they want to read them. There are some nutritional enzymes that are denatured during pasteurization, but those are things that can be picked up in other food items that don't carry as high a risk as raw milk."
"The difficulty with food borne illness analysis is that most people don't report mild illnesses."
"You have to look at raw milk from a historical perspective. The rational for pasteurization was that in the teens and twenties, the major causes of food borne illness and death was consuming raw milk."
"I think you will see a continued development of states dealing with the raw milk issue."
--Food borne illness lawyer Bill Marler on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 16 - Organic Seed Growers Vs Monsanto

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:44:42 -0000

In this very important and very timely episode of Straight No Chaser host Katy Kieffer talks with farmer Jim Gerritsen who is the President of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, which is currently battling the agriculture giant Monsanto in federal court. Learn how this group of farmers is seeking protection from contamination of their crops by Monsanto transgenic (GMO) seeds by litigating in the very complicated the arena of patent law. Find out what exactly is at stake not only for farmers but also the state of U.S. patent law as a whole when the verdict is handed down. This insightful episode is sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons

"What we're going to the court for is to try and receive court protection from abusive behavior from Monsanto. . should we become contaminated by Monsanto seeds, not only do we suffer harm by the contamination of our crops, but in a perverse situation Monsanto's view is that we possess that technology through that cont episode and we would be liable for patent infringement."

"Part of our argument will be that transgenic agriculture, or commonly known as GMOS, that these lack 'social utility' "

"The expectation of the [organic seed] market is that good quality organic seed is free of GMO content. So if our crops become contaminated by GMO their value becomes extinguished with that contamination and that obviously then threatens our livelihood."

--Jim Gerritsen on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 17 - Jessica Donze Black, Pew Health Group: Healthy School Food

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:42:54 -0000

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

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 18 - Brooklyn Grange Returns! : Urban Agriculture

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:53:15 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with Ben Flanner, Anastasia Cole Plakias, Chase Emmons & Michael Meier of Brooklyn Grange, a community oriented commercial organic farm located on New York City rooftops. Hear what the crew has been up to and what plans they have in store for the new rooftop farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Learn more about storm water management, beekeeping, seed saving and the educational components of the farm. This program was sponsored by Fairway Market.

Photo by Cyrus Dowlatshahi

"We're living in a city who's sewer system was built well before a period of rapid development. With all these non-porous surfaces that have been added, there's a lot more water entering the sewer system. Now people are looking for creative ways to manage storm water, such as green roofs, and a farm like ours can store much more storm water than a normal green roof."
--Anastasia Cole Plakias of Brooklyn Grange
"In the new farm at the Navy Yard we will have between 20-30 beehives. Part of that project is genetic-oriented. In three years or so we hope to end up with New York City genetics, bees that are adapted to their environment. We want people to purchase bees from us, not just honey."
--Chase Emmons of Brooklyn Grange on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 19 - ALBC And Farmers Veteran Coalition, Returning Vets In Agriculture

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:56:22 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with Jeannette Beranger of the American Livestock Breed Conservancy and Chris Ritthaler of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Tune in and hear how the ALBC helps set up veterans who are interested in taking up farming after serving for their country. Learn why heritage livestock appeals to these vets and how they adapt to life on the farm even if they have no background in agriculture. Also learn more about the unemployment epidemic that veterans in our country face and why the general public should learn more about what veterans actually did when they served. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"There's been a huge upsurge in interest in traditional breeds over the past few years."
--Jeanette Beranger of the American Livestock Breed Conservancy on Straight, No Chaser
"There are a few reasons you're seeing vets interested in heritage breeds. Because a lot of the vets don't have a background in agriculture, they are taking a real close look at their situation and financials and realizing they have to be smart. Heritage breeds fit a niche market and don't require a large level of infrastructure."
"The unemployment rate for veterans is significantly higher than the national average. The unemployment rate for vets in the post 9/11 era is over 10%."
"Less than 10% of the US has ever served in the military. There's a huge disconnect between the knowledge base of what a veteran does."
--Chris Ritthaler of the Farmer Veteran Coalition on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 20 - Steve Jenkins: Fairway Market, Michelle Buster, Forever Cheese

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:52:12 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer sits down to chat with Steve Jenkins of Fairway Market and Michele Buster of Forever Cheese to have an in-depth conversation on the import/export process as it relates to foreign and domestic artisanal cheese. Find out why Steve thinks the government has made it impossible through regulations and restrictions to price domestic artisanal cheese competitively and how some of the product that gets imported to our country is destroyed for reasons as silly as label misprints. Also find out why Steve believes government mandated testing for olive oil is a nightmare. This program was sponsored by Fairway Market.

"Meat actually has a sturdier life than cheese does. You have to use kid gloves to bring cheese in [from abroad]."
"We've always believed that, as a whole, it's best to promote all cheese, not just imported cheese."
--Michele Buster of Forever Cheese on Straight, No Chaser
"The truth is, the stuff that we import is the most precious and unforgettable food items you could possibly want to get your hands on as an American."
"The [FDA] makes us destroy things with simple labeling errors, not because there was anything wrong with the food. Then they charge you to destroy it! It's big-mamma government just waltzing around, sitting on everybody's face and I've had it up to here with it."
--Steve Jenkins of Fairway Market on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 21 - Mark Dunlea of Hunger Action Network Of Nys: Farm Bill

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:57:05 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with Mark Dunlea about everything current in US Food Policy. Mark is Executive Director of Hunger Action Network of NYS, for which he has worked for 26 years. For the last 11 years he has helped coordinate the Faith and Hunger Network with Bread for the World. He is a co-convener of the NYC Food and Farm Bill group. Tune in to learn more about the Farm Bill and why it is not necessarily helping family farms as advertised. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"[They] promote things like corn, which gets turned into corn syrup, and soy, that gets turned into fat, rather than provide incentives for fresh foods and vegetables."
"If farmers don't exist in America, then food prices will be through the roof. We need to create a sustainable food system that provides both an adequate wage to the farmer while providing us healthy food at a reasonable price."
"If one looks at almost any community and sees how much money is being spent on food in that community, it's often the single largest part of the economy. Everybody, rich or poor, has to eat three times a day."
"Most farmers in America get almost nothing out of the Farm Bill."
"The problem isn't what people buy with food stamps, the problem is with what American people buy overall."
--Mark Dunlea, Executive Director of Hunger Action Network

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 22 - Amanda Hitt of The Government Accountability Project: Agricultural Gag Laws

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:48:37 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, host Katy Keiffer discusses the Ag Gag Laws with Amanda Hitt is the Director of the Food Integrity Campaign (FIC) for the Government Accountability Project. Amanda oversees FIC operations and is responsible for ensuring that FIC fulfills its mission of enhancing food integrity by facilitating truth telling. Iowa and Utah have just enacted new Ag Gag Laws, and clearly there is an increased interest in the industry to enact more of this type of legislation. Ag-gag bills remain pending in Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Tennessee. Is transparency a good idea for the livestock and farming industry or will people get the wrong idea with the curtain pulled back? This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"The whole business of agriculture as we know it requires a certain veil of secrecy."
"We need to change our relationship to the industry itself, and how they present themselves with regards to food safety and wholesomeness. More than often that presentation is not grounded in reality."
--Amanda Hitt, Director of the Food Integrity Campaign

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 23 - Author Marion Nestle, "Why Calories Count"

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:42:27 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with one of our generations great food thinkers, Dr. Marion Nestle. Marion's latest book, "Why Calories Count", explores the essential measurement of energy in food and how it affects our nutrition and diets. Find out why food addiction troubles Marion, and how she thinks tackling problems like obesity can be much simpler than it's made out to be. Learn why portion size is to blame for most weight-related problems and why the days of sensible farming and blue chip stocks are long gone. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"Calories are involved in the two most important public health problems we face right now - starvation and obesity".
"Nutritionists are not comfortable talking about food as addiction. People talk about food as if its addictive... but we have to eat to live. We can't live without eating food. The question is, what foods do we choose?"
"Food labels were implemented in 1993. Up until that time, the FDA said that food companies could not make health claims about their products. When congress passed the Nutrition Fact Label law, the industry complained if they had to disclose what's bad about their product, they should be able to advertise what's healthy about their product."
"Any diet will help you lose weight if it helps you reduce calories."
--Dr. Marion Nestle on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 24 - Greenmarket NYC & Farmers Market Coalition

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:06:50 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined by Michael Hurwitz, Executive Director of Greenmarket NYC and Stacy Miller, Executive Director of The Farmers Market Coalition. Together they discuss the current state of farmers markets and how the recent growth of these markets has impacted urban life. Find out more about how immigrant populations are being considered at farmers markets and cultural gaps are being bridged through communities. Learn about everything involved in getting food from our farms to our tables. This program was sponsored by Fairway Market.

"More and more farmers are realizing that the industrial system is not working for them. 90% of our farmers would not be in production if they didn't have the ability to sell directly to consumers."
--Michael Hurwitz, Executive Director of Greenmarket NYC on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 25 - Author Jennifer Cockrall-King, "Food And The City"

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:44:18 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer talks urban agriculture with Jennifer Cockrall-King, author of "Food and the City: Urban Agriculture and the New Food Revolution", a tour of urban agricultural centers in Canada, the US, Cuba and Europe. Tune in as they discuss the viability of growing food in cities and highlight some particular cities that are helping to make agriculture sustainable again in an urban setting. Learn how beekeeping and urban chickens were once commonplace and how the recent explosion of homesteading and self sustenance is a throwback to the way things once were. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

"Urban farming is one single activity that can cure a host of other urban problems."
"We haven't invented urban agriculture, we've just re-discovered it."
--author Jennifer Cockrall-King on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 26 - Associated Press Food Editor J.M. Hirsch: Food Media

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:35:44 -0000

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

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 27 - Public Health Advocate And Attorney Michele Simon

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:41:48 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with Michele Simon, a public health lawyer who has been researching and writing about the food industry and food politics since 1996. She specializes in legal strategies to counter corporate tactics that harm the public’s health. She is the author of Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back. She is also president of Eat Drink Politics, an industry watchdog consulting firm. Tune in as Katy and Michele discuss the many issues we face as Americans in trying to improve our public policy surrounding food and health. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"We're contaminating the environment to such an extent, that it's become harder and harder for farmers who want to engage in ethical and organic practices to do so."
"Transparency isn't really something the food industry is interested in."
--public health lawyer Michele Simon on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 28 - Dr. Dickson Despommiers: Vertical Farming

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:40:20 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser Katy Keiffer has an in-depth conversation about vertical farming with Dr. Dickson Despommier, the author of The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century. A professor emeritus at Columbia University, Dr. Despommier spent thirty-eight years as a professor of microbiology and public health. Hear some radical ideas including underground farming without daylight and plasma arc gasification. From wind power in Holland to seed banks in Japan, hear about some of the concepts being integrated into new agricultural models across the globe. This show was made possible by Fairway Market.

"Vertical farming is simply tacking high tech green houses on top of each other and integrating the systems."
"The concept of vertical farming is not new. If you look back at history you can find hanging gardens of Babylon and references of urban gardening and agriculture - but the timing was wrong."
--Dr. Dickson Despommier on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 29 - Author Peter Kaminsky: "Culinary Intelligence"

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:51:54 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Peter Kaminsky, food writer and author of Culinary Intelligence. Peter defines "culinary intelligence" and discusses his weight loss process by eliminating "white foods": sugar, flour, potatoes, etc. Tune in to hear Katy and Peter discuss the cost effectiveness of eating seasonally, the importance of eating home-cooked meals, and why portion sizes in restaurants are causing the country's waistbands to expand. Hear about how the Food Network has turned cooking into a sport, why a petroleum-based agricultural economy is not sustainable, and how the Western fast-food diet has spread internationally. Listen to this episode of Straight, No Chaser to learn more about health and sustainable eating! This episode has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"If things don't have flavor, they're not going to satisfy you. And if they don't satisfy you, you're going to compensate with a lot of sugar, salt, and fat."
"They ain't gonna change the portion size just because you walk in with health on your mind."
"We have blazed a path, [people across they world] picking up our Slurpees and french fries."
-- Peter Kaminsky on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 30 - Tim Fitzgerald of The EPA : Sustainable Seafood

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 19:31:30 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is on the phone with Tim Fitzgerald. Tim currently directs EDF’s sustainable seafood program, and specializes in the intersection of environmental sustainability and public health. He is also a senior member of EDF’s National Policy team, advocating for more sustainable federal fisheries management policies. Tim serves on the conservation board of Ecofish LLC and is an advisor to SeaWeb’s KidSafe Seafood campaign and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Coastal Sharks Board. Tune in to hear Tim discuss the My Gulf Wild program, which uses tagging methods to provide traceability for customers and protect them against "fish fraud". Tim and Katy also talk about the state of Gulf seafood. Is it safe? How is seafood being tested for contaminants? And who is doing the testing? Finally, Katy and Tim discuss the Whole Foods Sustainable Seafood initiative, and the dichotomy between supporting local fisherman and trying to preserve certain fish species. Also, HRN's own Jack Inslee calls in with a report live from Bonnaroo. This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch.

"One of the most frustrating things from my perspective as a scientist and trying to look at the scientific and ecological ramifications of the spill is that there's just so much information that is still being guarded or not being released to public because of this whole legal process. BP hired a bunch of scientists and consultants to collect data to support their case." -- Tim Fitzgerald on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 31 - Raoul Baxter ; Cattle Industry Expert

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 20:24:21 -0000

Welcome to another episode of Straight, No Chaser! On this week's installment, Katy Keiffer is talking with Raoul Baxter of R.J.B. World Wide, and formerly of Smithfield Foods Company. Today's theme is the commercial meat industry; topics range from health regulation to growth promotion. Tune in to hear Katy and Raoul discuss the need for transparency in the beef industry, the phenomenon of 'stress meat', and the pink slime controversy. The discussion also touches on antibiotics in commercial cattle feed and ethanol production, as well as the need for the beef industry to turn a profit while considering public health. Will cuts to subsidies from The Farm Bill cause beef prices to rise? And is there a way to meet the demand for beef internationally without feeding cattle grain? Find out the answers on this week's Straight, No Chaser! This program has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.

"As you look at all the programs that go on, from different groups...it seems like you're having a government convention at each plant everyday. The question becomes, 'How much information do you need to make a decision [about beef safety]?'"
"Humanity and good business go hand in hand."
"It's the most difficult thing to do - raising cattle on grass."
-- Raoul Baxter on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 32 - Benjamin Solotaire And Caitlin Salemi Of The Nyc Food And Farm Bill Working Group ; Farm Bill

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:18:58 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, we're talking about the 2012 Farm Bill. Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Benjamin Solotaire of the Brooklyn Food Coalition and the NYC Food and Farm Bill Working Group, and Caitlin Salemi of the Urban Rural Alliance Building Committee, and also the NYC Food and Farm Bill Working Group. Tune in to hear discussions concerning cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and what it means in terms of food security for low-income families. Learn about the budget dedicated to crop insurance subsidies, and how these affect commodity crops such as corn, sugar, and soy. Why it is so important for an agreement to be reached concerning this year's Farm Bill? Learn more about the process in the Senate and the House of Representatives that determine what the final bill will look like. This program has been brought to you by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"One in five kids in the United States are at risk for food insecurity". -- Benjamin Solotaire on Straight, No Chaser
"Farmers who grew commodities were paid regardless of what the price of the commodity was on the market, and regardless of whether or not they actually had that commodity planted. It was based on historic base acres, or what they could have planted. So the fact that that was eliminated and replaced with a much smaller commodity support system is a big deal."
"The largest farms will not be eligible for the same amount of subsidies on what they pay as a premium. Now, farmers- regardless of income or size- the government subsidizes 62% of their premium that they pay for that crop insurance. That's almost a reverse of what it was in the year 2000." --Caitlin Salemi on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 33 - Paul Lightfoot, Ceo Of Brightfarms Urban Ag

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:56:04 -0000

What could be more 'local' than buying produce that was grown at your supermarket? On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Paul Lightfoot, CEO of BrightFarms. BrightFarms designs and builds greenhouses that use hydroponics to grow produce such as tomatoes and leafy greens at supermarket retail locations. Because there is a lack local food to fill the demand, Paul is taking a large-scale approach to create a system to provide healthy, local food at a reasonable price. Hear about how terms like 'locavore' have entered the mainstream lexicon, as well as the importance of creating an avenue for local food in poorer communities. Hear about BrightFarms recent business deal with A&P, and how Paul hopes it will provide healthier food for a larger section of the population. To learn more about BrightFarms, tune into this week's Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.

"If you put a tomato on a truck starting in Mexico and it bounces all the way to Chicago, that's about the worst thing you can do to a tomato."
"In most supermarkets across the country, 'local' is a hugely successful strategy in the marketing departments, but isn't getting any traction in the produce department." -- Paul Lightfoot on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 34 - Jean Halloran Of Consumers Union: Antibiotics In Food

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:36:59 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Jean Halloran. Jean has worked on food safety and sustainability issues at in the Yonkers Office of Consumers Union for the last 25 years. She also works with consumer organizations globally and helped develop international standards for safety assessment of genetically engineered food at the Codex Alimentarius Commission. How do different strains of bacteria become resistant to antibiotics? And what does resistant bacteria mean in terms of food safety? Tune in to this episode to learn about sub-therapeutic antibiotic use in confined animals, and how this practice affects the food that we eat. Learn why antibiotic usage is profitable for meat producers, and why so many people in the meat industry are resistant to change. This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.

"We have a crisis, and the people who should be doing something, like the FDA or the USDA, are not stepping up to the plate."
"You are what you eat, and what you eat is formerly you."
"Of the antibiotics produced and sold in the United States, only 20% of are used on humans, and 80% are used on animals."
-- Jean Halloran on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 35 - Author Lynne Curry, "Pure Beef"

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 22:24:41 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking cattle and beef with Lynne Curry, author of Pure Beef: An Essential Guide to Artisan Meat with Recipes for Every Cut. Hear Katy and Lynne trace beef from pasture to package, and how all of the processes involved with producing beef alter the way it tastes. Learn about the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef in terms of taste, texture, and look. Lynne explains the differences between the commodity cattle industry and independent, artisan meat providers, and how independent producers have a lot more control over the diet of their cattle and the taste of their beef. Hear about some of Lynne's educational beef tastings that aim to teach consumers about the different flavors present in varieties of beef. Lynne also discusses ground meat, and why it is not necessarily of low quality! This episode has been brought to you by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"Cows on grass produce muscle very well. They're naturally designed to do that. But muscle becomes meat through human intervention, and all those steps in the production system I've described: from raising, to slaughter, to the processing, to the handling, to the butchering, to the dry-aging (or not dry-aging), to the consumer and how they cook that piece of meat. Every step in that supply chain determines the quality of meat." -- Lynne Curry on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 36 - St. John's Bread and Life

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:34:09 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser host Katy Keiffer takes on the crisis of hunger with guest Anthony Butler, Executive Director of St. John's Bread and Life. Learn about how the federal cuts of the Reagan years left many people in a state of food insecurity that still lingers today and how the current Farm Bill is working its way through the Senate and could leave millions of people hungry with looming cuts to the SNAP program. Tune in to find out how, despite these challenges, Anthony and St. John's Bread and Life are helping millions of hungry New Yorkers by integrating technology, such as their innovative digital food pantry, to streamline costs and get more people fed the right food. This program is sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

" What's happening right now to SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] is that the Senate is proposing over 10 years to cut over $4.5 billion dollars in SNAP money. 40% of those who are hungry will be affected by that, that's around 800,000 families who will lose $90 a month on groceries. The biggest people who will be hurt are people who are receiving other federal subsidies, so the biggest people who will be hurt are working families and seniors."

"Food stamps supports farmers-- that's the purpose of it! This money goes back into farms. Food stamps also dramatically support local economies. "

--Anthony Butler of St. John's Bread & Life on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 37 - Season One Recap

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 22:58:30 -0000

This marks the end of Straight, No Chaser's first season! Congratulations to our host, Katy Keiffer! Each week, Katy offers insight into the world of food politics and policy, focusing on topics like the cattle industry, The Farm Bill, and urban agriculture. Tune into this episode to hear some highlights from shows thus far, and to learn what Katy has up her sleeve for upcoming episodes. This program has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.com.

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 38 - Andrew F. Smith and American Tuna

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:19:02 -0000

Katy Keiffer is back with more Straight, No Chaser! In the beginning of the episode, Katy outlines some of the topics and guests for the upcoming season. So don't miss a single episode; tune in for Straight, No Chaser every Sunday at 1pm! Katy's guest on this week's episode is Andrew F. Smith, professor of Food Studies at the New School. Andy's newest book is called American Tuna: The Rise and Fall of an Improbable Food. Learn about the reasons for the culinary evolution of the tuna. Once a "trash fish", tuna has become a staple in American households. Hear more about the threat of methylmercury in commercially caught tuna, as well as the reason for so many dolphin deaths in tuna fishing. This program has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"How do you convince Americans to buy a fish that they have never bought before?"
"When this first came to light, it is estimated that they [Yellowfin tuna fisherman] were killing 1 million dolphins per year."
-- Andrew F. Smith on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 39 - Animal Handling with Dr. Temple Grandin

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 22:12:33 -0000

Katy Keiffer continues her investigation of the cattle industry on this week's Straight, No Chaser with Dr. Temple Grandin. Dr. Grandin is a leading expert in animal handling and psychology, a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, and a best selling author. She is also well-known for her design of livestock handling facilities. Recently, Dr. Grandin worked on a film documenting and touring the inside of a beef packing facility. Tune into this episode to learn why it is important for third parties to audit meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses to ensure food safety and good animal treatment practices. Why are there so many misconceptions about animal treatment due to biological reactions to slaughter methodologies? Learn what to expect during the slaughter process, and hear Dr. Grandin give an overview of a slaughter facility in terms of equipment and animal corralling. Learn more about third party auditors, and how they ensure the safety of hospitals and other services. Don't miss this informative episode of Straight, No Chaser! This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"If you stress cattle with electric prods five minutes before slaughter, you get tougher meat. If you stress pigs with jamming, squealing, and electric prods five minutes before slaughter, that can make pale, watery meat. That last five minutes before slaughter is very critical because if you stress the animal during that period, you can have bad meat quality."
-- Dr. Temple Grandin on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 40 - Barf Blog with Professor Doug Powell from KSU

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:38:40 -0000

Food borne illness is the theme on this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser as host Katy Keiffer welcomes Doug Powell to the program. Doug is a food scientist and creator of an online repository of food-safety related information called barfblog.com, a forum for information about current food safety issues where he has written more than 5,000 entries since 2006. He is a professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Listen in for a great conversation on food safety. Why are sprouts and raw milk so unsafe? Tune in to learn more about how immune systems, contaminated water systems, and more all contribute to our health and safety. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Cross contamination is a much bigger issue in food safety than we all thought."
--Doug Powell of BargBlog.com on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 41 - Jean Halloran of Consumers Union: Trader Joe's, Antibiotics, & MRSA

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:44:49 -0000

Jean Halloran rejoins Katy Keiffer on this week's installment of Straight, No Chaser. Jean has worked on food safety and sustainability issues at in the Yonkers Office of Consumers Union for the last 25 years, and also works with consumer organizations globally. She helped develop international standards for safety assessment of genetically engineered food at the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Once again, Katy and Jean are talking about antibiotic usage in meat production. Recently, Consumers Union has urged Trader Joe's to stop selling antibiotic-laden meat with a petition of 557,772 signatures from consumers. Learn more about the campaign and its outcome on this episode. Later, Katy and Jean talk about MRSA in pork, and other forms of resistant bacteria. How do antibiotics in meat affect antibiotic resistance in hospitals and medical treatment? Find out on this week's Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"MRSA has become disturbingly common in hog production and among hog workers. How it got there, we're not exactly sure...but there is evidence of Staph Aureus at a very low level in about half of the samples they [Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy] looked at. About 6 percent was antibiotic-resistant MRSA."
"The treatment of sick animals accounts for only 5% of antibiotic use as indicated by how many animals are injected with antibiotics. The remaining percentage of usage has been traditionally thought to be for growth promotion, although now they are calling it disease prevention..."
"'Natural' has nothing to do with how the animal was raised. 'Natural' only means that there was no coloring added to the meat after slaughter." -- Jean Halloran on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 42 - Author and Food Stylist Libbie Summers

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 17:50:12 -0000

Libbie Summers returns to Straight, No Chaser! Libbie is an accomplished writer, culinary producer and stylist for television and print media. She is the author of The Whole Hog Cookbook and a forthcoming baking book called Sweet and Vicious. Tune in to hear Libbie talk with Katy Keiffer about the decline of good food in France, and why Southern cuisine has become so fashionable. Learn more about Libbie's work as a food stylist, and how her styling work informs her everyday life. Libbie and Katy also talk about the upcoming Sweet and Vicious, and how it deviates from the traditional format of baking cookbooks. Hear how food styling has changed since Libbie started working in the industry, and learn what makes a great stylist and designer. This episode has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"I always reference something with food- if it's the color of my dress, or a wallpaper I want to use...I realize that food informs everything creatively in my life." [24:20]
"Forget the look- the look needs to be the client's look." [31:37]
-- Libbie Summers on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 43 - Dr. Richard Raymond of the Food Safety and Inspection Service

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:16:47 -0000

Today on Straight, No Chaser Katy Keiffer is on the phone with Dr. Richard Raymond. In 2005 after a long career in family medicine, Dr. Raymond was appointed Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the next 3 years, Dr. Raymond was responsible for overseeing the policies and programs of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). In semi-retirement now, he writes several blogs on food safety, has consulted with law firms on foodborne illness cases, is a consultant with the Nebraska Medical Association helping build public health advocacy, is a frequent lecturer on food safety and public health, and is a food safety and public health consultant for Elanco, the Animal Health branch of Eli Lilly. Tune into this episode to hear Katy and Dr. Raymond discuss low-dose and sub-therapeutic antibiotic usage in the meat and poultry industry and the prevalence antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Learn more about bacteria contamination in produce, and why poor meat-handling practices may be to blame. Katy and Dr. Raymond also talk about the inspection procedures of poultry plants and how it has affected salmonella levels in our food. This program has been brought to you by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"Consumers have some responsibility. They need to understand that raw meat should not be considered sterile... The meat industry does not often come out and say, 'Raw meat should not be considered sterile- you need to do a better job of handling it.' They don't like to say that about their product." [18:50]
-- Dr. Richard Raymond on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 44 - Erik Cutter on Hydroponics and Vertical Farming

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:56:10 -0000

On this episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Erik Cutter of Alegría Farms and EnvironIngenuity. Tune into this episode to her Eric discuss the water retention benefits of certain drip hydroponic systems. Learn why Eric prefers hydroponics to organic row farming, and what the differences are between hydroponic and row crop seeds. At what point does vertical farming become as cost-efficient as vertical farming methods? Learn how hydroponics can be used as an educational tool for today's youth, and how hydroponics can increase local food production in desert areas such as the American Southwest and the Middle East. This episode has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch .

"We've got to get to a decentralized urban environment with may hundreds of small farms... We're talking farm-to-table in minutes!" [16:45]
"We're not short on oil... we're short on two resources: soil and water." [23:20]
-- Erik Cutter on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 45 - Antibiotics in Food Animal Production with Dr. James Johnson

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:51:32 -0000

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Dr. James Johnson. James R. Johnson, M.D. is Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, Director of the Infectious Diseases T32 Training Program and Senior Associate Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program (both, University of Minnesota), and Director of the Minneapolis VA Molecular Epidemiology Unit. Dr. Johnson is a frequently invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings, has presented at Capitol Hill briefings and hearings, and has served on multiple national task forces, committees, and grant review panels. He serves as an Attending Physician for the VA Infectious Diseases Consult Service and Infectious Diseases Clinic, and sits on multiple hospital committees, including (currently) the Antimicrobial Subcommittee, Space Committee, and Institutional Biosafety Committee. Tune into this episode to learn about the spread of resistant strains of bacteria, and how mere contact can cause extreme contamination. Hear how nations abroad have curbed antibiotic use food animals, and how it has affected food safety. Listen in to hear Dr. Johnson and Katy discuss the measures that consumers can take to protect and educate themselves from the ever-prevalent problem of food contamination. This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.

"The U.S. uses more antibiotics per animal per pound of meat that comes to market than any other industrialized country for which we have data." [10:00]
"To suggest that one needs growth promoter to have a healthy agriculture industry is patently false as demonstrated by the totality of Europe." [23:50]
-- Dr. James Johnson on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 46 - Disaster Relief with Christy Robb of St. John's Bread & Life

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 18:51:13 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Christy Robb, the Director of Food Services at St. John's Bread & Life in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Today, Katy and Christy are discussing disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy. Tune into this episode to hear how St. John's Bread & Life has been serving hot meals in affected areas such as Coney Island and The Rockaways since the storm hit the city. Hear about the differences in services provided by large organizations like the American Red Cross, and smaller community organizations like Occupy Sandy. Is New York City prepared for another major storm? Hear Katy and Christy weigh in on what measures need to be taken to prevent a crisis in the case of another disaster. Preparedness is key; tune into Straight, No Chaser and learn what you can do to help the victims of the storm, and how to be prepared for the next one! This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures.

"Now is the time to figure out next time... we need lights, water, sanitation... How many port-a-potties are in New York? How hard would it be to put those out in areas that don't have flushing water?" [18:15]
-- Christy Robb on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 47 - Lily Kelly of Global Green USA & the Coalition for Resource Recovery

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:46:36 -0000

Today on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Lily Kelly. Lily Kelly is the Interim Director for Global Green USA's New York Office and the Coalition for Resource Recovery. Prior to joining Global Green USA, she contributed to various environmental and social stewardship projects with both for- and non-profit agencies, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Majora Carter Group, and The Earth Institute. Tune into this episode to learn about greenhouse gas that occurs in landfills, and how recycling reduces greenhouse gases. Listen in to hear Lily talk about her work with wholesale retail packaging. How does Global Green USA affect corporations and legislature for environmental good? Find out on this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser! This program has been brought to you by Heritage Foods USA.

"Methane is a 25-27 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO2." [5:00]
"How can we maximize the infrastructure we have, the technology we have...and recover more of it [consumer waste] now?" [13:35]
-- Lily Kelly on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 48 - Pesticides, Herbicides, and Genetics with Dr. Charles Benbrook

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:41:38 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is geeking out with Dr. Charles Benbrook. Dr. Benbrook is a research professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University. He is the program leader of “Measure to Manage: Farm and Food Diagnostics for Sustainability and Health.” His career has focused on developing science-based systems for evaluating the public health, environmental, and economic impacts of changes in agricultural systems, biotechnology, and policy. He has worked extensively on pesticide use and risk assessment, and the development of bio-intensive Integrated pest Management. He played an important role in the evolution of the 1996 “Food Quality Protection Act,” and has produced multiple reports on agricultural biotechnology. Tune into this episode to hear about herbicide-resistant crops, and whether or not they will be a solution to extravagant herbicide usage. Learn the differences between GMO crops and hybridized plants. Are resistant insect populations a worry for farmers in the United States? Hear about some commonly used herbicides, and their health and environmental concerns. Click here for a study concerning toxicity and Roundup-resistance. This program has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"This largest group of GE crops that have been planted around the world since 1996, they really don't have anything to do with increased yields. In fact, the evidence suggests a small yield drag as a result of the genetic transformation that renders them tolerant to applications of this Roundup herbicide..." [4:55]
"I'm just trying to keep the industry honest. You will still find claims by so-called experts that today's GE crops are reducing pesticide use. It's just not true!" [32:00]
-- Dr. Charles Benbrook on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 49 - Poultry & Public Health with Amanda Hitt

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:57:24 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking poultry and public health with Amanda Hitt, the Director of the Food Integrity Campaign for the Government Accountability Project. Amanda oversees FIC operations and is responsible for ensuring that FIC fulfills its mission of enhancing food integrity by facilitating truth telling. Founded in 1977, GAP is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization. Located in Washington, DC, GAP is a nonpartisan, public interest group. In addition to focusing on whistleblower support in our stated program areas, we lead campaigns to enact whistleblower protection laws both domestically and internationally. Tune in to learn about the microbial swabbing of poultry, and why it is likely to be less effective in locating disease than prior methods of inspection. Hear how antibiotic resistance has affected the poultry industry, and how poultry often escapes criticism when compared to beef. What are some alternatives to industrial poultry, and what should the consumer expect to pay for safe, quality birds? Find out on Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch.

"When the going gets tough, and the government wants to save money, they go after inspectors." [8:40]
"It's hard for consumers to 'keep the faith' when the industry isn't doing the right thing in [poultry] production." [12:45]
-- Amanda Hitt on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 50 - Sugar with Cristin Couzens & Dr. Marion Nestle

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:59:31 -0000

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by guest co-host Dr. Marion Nestle! Dr. Nestle is Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, which she chaired from 1988-2003. She is also Professor of Sociology at NYU and Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell. Katy and Dr. Nestle are talking sugar with Cristin Couzens, a senior consultant at the University of Colorado Center for Health Administration and an instructor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Hear about Cristin's experiences digging up the dirt of the sugar industry! Find out how the sugar business has attempted to hide the facts and abscond responsibility from the increase of Type 2 diabetes. How do sponsored studies alter scientific progress? Tune in to hear Dr. Nestle talk about some poorly-controlled scientific studies involving pomegranates, and learn just how many studies are influenced by outside corporate money. This program has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

"I'm all for suggesting that people cut down on the sources of sugars in their diet, especially through soft drinks because soft drinks have no redeeming nutritional value at all... The body is not equipped to handle that amount of sugar." [32:15] -- Dr. Marion Nestle on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 51 - Coming Up in 2013

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:14:05 -0000

Katy Keiffer rings in 2013 by talking about the upcoming season of Straight, No Chaser! Tune in to hear about recent studies on hydraulic fracturing, and how its methane byproducts make it no more environmentally sound than burning coal. Hear about nanotechnology in cosmetics and the food chain, and why the label of "generally regarded as safe" doesn't actually mean that it's safe. Katy talks about how she hopes to delve deeper into antibiotic use in food, and hear about her recent conversation with a physician concerning superbugs. Support local fisherman! Support local wineries! Listen to Straight, No Chaser in 2013! This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch.

"Hydro-fracking releases 9% methane... The whole argument for hydraulic fracturing has gone out the window!" [2:00] -- Katy Keiffer on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 52 - Fracking & Health with Elizabeth Royte

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:41:02 -0000

Katy Keiffer's guest on today's Straight, No Chaser is Elizabeth Royte. Elizabeth is the author of Bottlemania: How Water Went On Sale and Why We Bought It; Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash; and The Tapir's Morning Bath: Solving the Mysteries of the Tropical Rain Forest. Her writing on science and the environment has appeared in Harper's, National Geographic, Outside, The New York Times Magazine, and other national publications. Elizabeth is on the show talking about the negative effects of hydrofracking on livestock in drilling areas. Hear Elizabeth share a devastating story about a cattle rancher's losses in North Dakota. How have farmers been silenced on the issue? Why is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backing fracking? Find out on this week's Straight, No Chaser. This program has been brought to you by The International Culinary Center.

"There are so many unknowns- there's industry secrecy and there's a lack of funding for these long-term, peer-reviewed studies to show the fate and transport of these chemicals." [19:00]
-- Elizabeth Royte on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 53 - Nanotechnology with Heather Millar

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:40:45 -0000

What is nanotechnology? Find out with Heather Millar, an award-winning freelance magazine writer and author who has covered science, health, and technology for twenty years, contributing to magazines such as Sierra, Smithsonian, and The Atlantic. Tune in and learn how these microscopic particles could bring on the next industrial revolution. From solar panels to medicinal purposes to whitening agents in food - take a trip down the rabbithole in the world of nanoparticles and technology. Discover the potential health risks as well as the potential for good with this new frontier of science. This program was sponsored by Route 11 Potato Chips.

"The problem with nano technology is that it's such an incredibly broad field. It's described as being the next industrial revolution - it has the potential to revolutionize solar cells for solar power, medicine for diagnostics, pretty much anything you can imagine." [4:00]
-- Heather Millar on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 54 - Superbugs with Maryn McKenna

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:43:32 -0000

Maryn McKenna is talking resistant bacteria with Katy Keiffer on this week's Straight, No Chaser! Maryn is an independent journalist and author who specializes in public health, global health and food policy, and a Senior Fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University. She is a blogger for Wired, a columnist and contributing editor for Scientific American, and writes frequently for national and international magazines including SELF, TheAtlantic.com, Nature, The Guardian, and more. Her work has also appeared in Health, China Newsweek, MSNBC.com, CNBC.com, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Boston Magazine, Chicago Magazine, the Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Heart Healthy Living and Georgia Trend among other publications. She is a regular contributor to the Annals of Emergency Medicine.She is the author most recently of SUPERBUG: The Fatal Menace of MRSA. Tune into this episode to learn how agriculture and human medicine are responsible for germs like MRSA. Hear why meat production facilities need to take more responsibility in the realm of food safety. How have today's active lifestyles encouraged increased medical antibiotic usage? Find out on Straight, No Chaser! Today's program has been sponsored by Tabard Inn.

"The bacteria (from raw chicken) can get onto things that you might not be cooking to death- lettuce, for instance... We are putting a big burden on the consumer." [9:45]
"The rapid rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is due to overuse in all areas of human life." [13:10]
"Is properly raised food only something that people with money can afford?" [25:00]
-- Maryn McKenna on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 55 - Michael Dimin on Sustainable Fishing

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:09:14 -0000

Michael Dimin is in the business of sustainable seafood. On this week's installment of Straight, No Chaser, Michael joins Katy Keiffer in studio to talk about the organization he co-founded, Sea2Table. Tune in to learn about the cod catch share in New England, and how recent restrictions are making some fisherman shake in their galoshes. Hear Michael and Katy talk about the history of fishing in New England, and why it's not just a livelihood, but a culture. Learn why fisherman are in favor of traceable supply chains, and find out some surprising facts about the Gulf oil spill. How will Sea2Table change the food world? Find out on today's Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Fisherman love to know where their fish is going to go. Traditionally, fish is a commodity, and they never know where their fish goes." [10:10] -- Michael Dimin on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 56 - Ag Gag Laws with Emily Meredith

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:55:08 -0000

Emily Meredith and Katy Keiffer talk about monitoring slaughter facilities and ag gag laws on this week's Straight, No Chaser. Emily Meredith is the communications director for the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Established in 1987, the Animal Agriculture Alliance includes individuals, companies, and organizations who are interested in helping consumers better understand the role animal agriculture plays in providing a safe, abundant food supply to a hungry world. Emily is also a blogger for the industry blog, Meatingplace.com. Tune in to hear Emily and Katy talk about third-party audits, and if they would actually make slaughter processes more transparent. Do organizations like the Human Society hurt the livestock industry? Does Emily believe that animal abuse is systemic? Find out on this week's Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been sponsored by Bi-Rite Market.

"There is a huge disconnect between the consumer and the producer. This country is fed by less than 2% of the population." [25:25] -- Emily Meredith on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 57 - "All Natural" with Nathanael Johnson

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:04:23 -0000

Will "natural" health and medicine practices save the world? On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer chats with freelance journalist Nathanael Johnson about everything from microbes to community gardens. Nathanael's first book "All Natural*: *A Skeptic's Quest to Discover If the Natural Approach to Diet, Childbirth, Healing, and the Environment Really Keeps Us Healthier and Happier", separates fact from faith when it comes to natural practices. Tune into today's program to get more insight into the themes and ideas explored in the book. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"I grew up in a family that believed it was better to embrace nature rather than using technology to protect ourselves against nature." [02:14]
"Scientists say humans are super organisms - we're not unique systems, we're an incorporation of our environment in a very fundamental way" [05:45]
--Writer Nathanael Johnson on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 58 - Waste Water with Jim Pynn

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:30:22 -0000

What happens to our waste water and how does it get cleaned? Find out on Straight, No Chaser as Katy Keiffer chats with Jim Pynn, Superintendent at the Newton Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Get down and dirty as Jim explains the three steps in waterwaste treatment, including a very interesting process of using microorganisms. Find out what kinds of regulations are in place for businesses to account for chemicals in wastewater and learn how the city dealt with the effects Super Storm Sandy had on our wastewater infrastructure. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Modern waste water treatment plants were not meant for metals and petroleums. NYC has an industrial pre-treatment program. anybody with a business in NY has to report their chimerical usage to DEP and we have the right to monitor it. Any excess chemicals are the responsibility of the business." [12:00]
--Jim Pynn, Superintendent at the Newton Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 59 - Food Waste with Gary Oppenheimer of AmpleHarvest.org

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:37:49 -0000

Gary Oppenheimer is connecting food producers with surpluses to food pantries across the world! This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Gary about his initiative, AmpleHarvest.org! Why is it so hard for communities to connect to food pantries in their area? Hear how AmpleHarvest.org plans to expand and reach more producers. Tune in to hear Gary talk about global food waste, and the percentage that can be attributed to the United States. Find out how local food can address the lack of fresh food in food pantries. Did you know that food waste creates three different environmental problems? Find out more about food waste, hunger, and the environment on this episode of Straight, No Chaser! Thanks to our sponsor, Fairway Market.

"The number of food pantries has grown significantly because the need has grown significantly." [5:20]
"Food waste starts at the farm and ends in the kitchen." [16:15]
-- Gary Oppenheimer on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 60 - Foodopoly with Wenonah Hauter

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:35:53 -0000

Tune in for an in-depth conversation on food politics as Katy Keiffer chats with Wenonah Hauter, the Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. She has worked extensively on food, water, energy and environmental issues at the national, state and local level. Her book Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America examines the corporate consolidation and control over our food system and what it means for farmers and consumers. She has worked and written extensively on food, water, energy and environmental issues on the local, state, and national levels. Katy and Wenonah chat about everything from anti-turst law to the industrial meat system on a jam packed 30-minutes full of insight into our American food systems. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"Food isn't even look at as food any more, it's looked at as money and something that can be traded." [05:00]
"I don't think Americans want to eat fecal matter - even if the bacteria has been killed!" [17:00]
--Wenonah Hauter on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 61 - A Place at the Table

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:05:37 -0000

49 million people in the U.S. - one in four children - don't know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. Today's guest on Straight, No Chaser is Peter Pringle, the editor of the Participant Guide for A Place at the Table, the recently released documentary about hunger in America. For 30 years Peter was a correspondent for The Sunday Times, The Observer, and The Independent, working in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union and the United States. He has also written for several US newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and The New Republic. Among his many books, the most recent, besides this project, is Experiment Eleven about the discovery of streptomycin, The Murder of Nicolai Vavilov, Food Inc, Day of the Dandelion, and Those are Real Bullets. Tune in and find out what prompted Peter to explore these issues of hunger, and hear about some of the alarming facts he discovered in his research. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"You should have a right to food. The government has a responsibility to make sure people are not hungry. It's a public health problem." [11:00]
--Peter Pringle on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 62 - Human Medicine & The Food Supply with Dr. Richard Raymond

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:23:09 -0000

In 2005, after a long career in family medicine and as Nebraska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Raymond was appointed Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the next 3 years, Dr. Raymond was responsible for overseeing the policies and programs of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). In semi-retirement now, he writes several blogs on food safety, has consulted with law firms on foodborne illness cases, is a frequent lecturer on food safety and public health, and is a food safety and public health consultant for Elanco, the Animal Health branch of Eli Lilly. Doctor Raymond serves as a Board member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, and is engaged in volunteer work with that organization. Tune into this episode of Straight, No Chaser to hear Katy Keiffer talk with Dr. Raymond about antibiotics in the food chain. Find out how Dr. Raymond defines sub-therapeutic antibiotic dosages, and learn how the different chemistry of specific drugs leads to antibiotic resistance. How do resistant bugs develop due to human and animal medicine? Find out on this week's installment of Straight, No Chaser! Thanks to our sponsor, Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"We're creating a problem as a human doctors. No one ever talks about over-prescription in human medicine!" [22:45]
"The people who want to eliminate antibiotic use in the meat industry are people who don't want us to eat meat and poultry!" [24:45]
-- Dr. Richard Raymond on Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 63 - Paul Shapiro, Vice President, Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:17:06 -0000

Paul Shapiro is Katy Keiffer's guest on this week's installment of What Doesn't Kill You to talk about animal welfare and ag gag laws. Paul is the Vice President, Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States. Shapiro's work has helped enact farm animal protection laws in California, Arizona, Michigan, Maine, Colorado, Oregon, and Ohio. He's also worked with dozens of companies, including some of the world's top retailers, to improve animal welfare in their supply chains. Find out why the meat industry is trying to blow the whistle on whistleblowers. Learn more about poultry farming practices on factory farms, and how the treatment of chickens offers many food safety considerations. Learn how the meat industry intends to stifle media outlets through ag gag laws! This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

"This is problem because routine practices in the meat industry have become inhumane. This isn't just a case of a few rotten eggs!" [7:05]
-- Paul Shapiro on What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You - Episode 64 - Hip4Kids

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:38:11 -0000

Chris Daly is getting parents and children in touch with nutrition! This week on What Doesn't Kill You, Katy Keiffer sits down with Chris to discuss his non-profit, Hip4Kids. Chris founded Hip4Kids, as in Hospitality Industry Professionals, 11 years ago. Hip4Kids Inc., a 501 c (3) company, is designed to educate parents and children on the fundamentals and ongoing importance of healthy eating and good nutrition. Hip4Kids’ primary components include multi-media learning programs and community outreach through innovative educational lifestyle programs for children and young adults. In this episode, hear about some of Hip4Kids' new initiatives, and how their curriculum has influenced schools and organizations across the world. Learn why it's important not to demonize foods with children, and how healthy eating encompasses more than just fruits and vegetables. Thanks to our sponsor, Tabard Inn, and thanks to Dead Stars for today's music.

"If you take basic culinary knowledge and relay it to people, you can really turn things up on it's end." [23:00] -- Chris Daly on What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You - Episode 65 - Hank Cardello on Obesity & Health

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:23:32 -0000

Hank Cardello mixes business and health. This week on What Doesn't Kill You, Katy Keiffer chats with Hank about calories and obesity. Hank is chief executive officer of 27ºNorth, a consulting firm which addresses societal issues that businesses play the largest role in solving. Over two decades, Hank was an executive at some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and General Mills. He chairs the annual Global Obesity Business Forum, an initiative sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Currently the Director, Obesity Solutions Initiative as a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, Hank is also author of Stuffed: An Insiders Look at Who Is (Really) Making America Fat. Listen in to hear Hank and Katy discuss realistic and practical measures that would curb the nation's obesity epidemic. Find out why demonizing opponents generally does not work towards progress or change, and why changes in the economy can ultimately lead towards better health amongst Americans. This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery. Thanks to Dead Stars for today's music.

"If you're trying to reverse obesity, get the calories off the street in a way that the companies will want to jump in head first!" [25:50]
-- Hank Cardello on What Doesn't Kill You

Straight, No Chaser - Episode 66 - The Way of All Flesh

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:45:47 -0000

What goes into meat inspection? Find out on another informative episode of "What Doesn't Kill You", as Katy Keiffer chats with Ted Conover, the author of five books, most recently The Routes of Man, about roads, and Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing, an account of his ten months spent working as a corrections officer at New York's Sing Sing Prison. Newjack won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2001 and was finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His other books are Whiteout: Lost in Aspen, Coyotes: A Journey Across Borders With America's Illegal Migrants, ( and Rolling Nowhere: Riding the Rails With America's Hoboes. In recent years he has taught at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the University of Oregon. He contributes to publications including The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, National Geographic, Virginia Quarterly Review, and many others. Most recently he published “The Way of All Flesh”, the cover story for this months Harpers Magazine about working as a USDA inspector in a meatpacking plant in Nebraska. This program was sponsored by Tabard Inn.

"They need inspectors at lots of small town slaughterhouses - these spots are not always easy to fill." [03:00]
"The machinery is all about the interface between industry and life." [15:00]
"The abscesses begin when the cattle's diet changes from grass. The bacteria that results from that makes ulcers in the cattle's stomachs and livers. The antibiotic is used to control those abscesses." [16:00]
--author/journalist Ted Conover on What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You - Episode 67 - Antibiotic Resistance in Ground Turkey Samples with Dr. Urvashi Rangan

Sun, 05 May 2013 20:11:24 -0000

Katy Keiffer is talking antibiotic resistance as seen in ground turkey on this week's What Doesn't Kill You with Dr. Urvashi Rangan. Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D. leads and directs the Consumer Safety and Sustainability Group for Consumer Reports. She is responsible for managing risk analysis, policy assessments, label evaluations and consumer advice for tests, reports, and related advocacy work. Dr. Rangan serves as a primary, national spokesperson for Consumer Reports in the areas of sustainable production/consumption practices, food safety, and product safety issues related to chemical and contaminant hazards. Learn about the differences between bacteria strains found in conventional and organic, antibiotic-free ground turkey, and what it says about antibiotic resistance. Hear Dr. Rangan talk about animal welfare standards in conventional livestock agriculture, and how sub-therapeutic antibiotic usage is only the first step for better food and health. Hear what proposed legislation could curb antibiotics in the food chain. This program has been sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery. Thanks to Dead Stars for today's music.

"We're not stopping at antibiotics; we need systemic changes to conventional agriculture if we want to see any long term changes." [21:00]
"We hope that we can treat sick animals for a long time, and sick humans, too." [26:15]
-- Dr. Urvashi Rangan on What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You - Episode 68 - Ten Years of Food Politics with Dr. Marion Nestle

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:58:43 -0000

Dr. Marion Nestle joins Katy Keiffer for this week's What Doesn't Kill You to talk about the tenth anniversary of her seminal book, Food Politics. Tune into this episode to hear Dr. Nestle and Katy talk about the inspiration for the book, and how cancer research influenced 'the food movement'. Why is Dr. Nestle optimistic about the future of health and good food? Listen in to find out Dr. Nestle's opinions about Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign, and why food labeling is duping consumers into believing that junk food is healthy. This program has been brought to you by Route 11 Potato Chips. Thanks to Dead Stars for today's music.

"When we started Food Studies at NYU in 1996, there was only one other school that had something like that, but now- everybody has some sort of food program." [7:50]
"That's where policy comes in; there's a reason why some foods cost less than others, and it's not because one is cheaper to produce." [12:00]
-- Dr. Marion Nestle on What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You - Episode 69 - Tom Colicchio on Antibiotics

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:36:38 -0000

Tom Colicchio, the face of Top Chef and Craft Restaurant, is talking antibiotics in the food system on this week's What Doesn't Kill You. Katy Keiffer calls up Tom to talk about how he good involved in the politics of food and activism. Listen in to hear Tom talk about the differences between charity and direct action, and their respective impacts in the realm of food policy. Hear how Tom's experience with staph has inspired him to tackle antibiotic usage in food production. How can the restaurant industry support antibiotic-free meat besides using their purchasing power? Find out how Tom's restaurants source their meat, and how they can afford humanely-raised, antibiotic-free meat. Tune into this episode to hear more about growth promotion, the environmental effects of livestock production, and CAFO conditions. Thanks to our sponsor, Fairway Market. Thanks to Dead Stars for today's music.

"If there is a food movement, it needs to encompass everything. We need to look at hunger issues, environment, farm safety, antibiotics... we really need to make a voting block that will vote on food issues." [9:50]
-- Tom Colicchio on What Doesn't Kill You