The food we eat, what goes into it and how it arrives at our plate, has become an issue more and more people are concerned about these days, spurred on by books and films such a Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me. Deconstructing Dinner, a syndicated Canadian radio program that airs on more than 16 stations across Canada every week, examines these issues in a uniquely Canadian way.

Host Jon Steinman first became interested in issues surrounding food while in university I quickly discovered the politics and control behind our food studying Hotel and Food Service. Years working in the food industry only deepened his interest and his concern. “I quickly discovered the politics and control behind our food that the average Canadian would never see listed as an ingredient on a box of frozen pizza or a stalk of celery.“ But more than that he became “frustrated at how difficult it was to not only find food that tasted good and was grown and produced near my home, but how difficult it was for Canadian farmers/producers to create this food.” Deconstructing Dinner is about more than just the kitchen and the supermarket.  It takes a look at the entire food system and presents this information in a way that is accessible to the average consumer of the products of that system: you and me.

Deconstructing Dinner is produced at community radio station CJLY 93.5FM in Nelson, BC. Radio is the ideal medium for Steinman’s message. “Radio is most accessible and sustainable medium of information to the public” he says. “It’s time Canadians started taking advantage of independent radio. Commercial radio is a joke, and it’s scary to just rely on the CBC as the only place on the radiowaves to gather information.”

You can hear Deconstructing Dinner on 16 stations across Canada or as a pod cast available at the Deconstructing Dinner (www.cjly.net/deconstructingdinner/ )
 
If it's a more rock and roll take on your food you are looking for, tune in to “Let's Get Baked with Mat and Dave” originating from CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax and available on a dozen other stations from St John's to Victoria. Program times can be found on their website, along with a podcast version of the program (http://letsgetbaked.ckdu.ca/). Read !earshot’s profile of Let’s Get Baked.