With food occupying such a significant part of our lives, understanding the implications of our food choices can create a real sense of empowerment and self-determination.

Produced and recorded in the studios of Kootenay Co-op Radio in Nelson, British Columbia, Deconstructing Dinner was created to address current food issues. The program assists listeners in making more educated choices when purchasing food either for the kitchen or at restaurants.

The media plays a key role in keeping Canadians informed, yet the most important stories about our food supply are not receiving the attention they deserve. Nevertheless, there are countless groups, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, businesses, individuals and various levels of government that are pushing towards creating more responsible food systems.

Deconstructing Dinner reports on current issues throughout the world of food but maintains a focus on local food systems. The show is not restricted to only current affairs, but probes into the processes and actions to which we have all become so accustomed throughout our daily routine, and "deconstructs" them to achieve a more discriminating awareness.

In late 2010, the show went on an indefinite break and a future return remains uncertain. At that time, the show was being broadcast on 40 radio stations across Canada and on stations around the world. All episodes continue to be accessible through the Internet in archived and podcasting formats.

Taste Awards (2012). Nominee for Food or Drink Radio Broadcast

Jack Webster Awards. Finalist in the 2011 Community Reporting category (Local Food Fraud? An Investigation)

Honourable Mention at 2010 National Campus & Community Radio Association's (NCRA) annual awards - Syndicated Show or Podcast

Honourable Mention at 2009 National Campus & Community Radio Association's (NCRA) annual awards - Best Syndicated Show

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Natural Life Magazine - May/June'08

Nelson Daily News - 04.18.08

WMRW-LP (Warren, VT), The Dinner Hour - 02.19.08
LISTEN HERE

Kootenay Western Star - 02.01.08

CFUV, University of Victoria, Gorilla Radio - 01.21.08
LISTEN HERE

Nelson Daily News - 01.21.08

The Tyee - 01.11.08

Nelson Daily News - 11.27.07

Express News - 11.21.07

Kootenay Western Star - 10.26.07

Kootenay Western Star - 10.19.07

CBC, Daybreak South - 09.07
LISTEN HERE

Synergy Magazine - 09/07

The Morning Star - 07.13.07

Nelson Daily News - 07.12.07

CFUV, University of Victoria, Winds of Change - 07.12.07
LISTEN HERE

Cowichan Valley Citizen - 06.22.07

NDP MP Alex Atamanenko/Kootenay Western Star - 04.10.07

Exclaim!/earshot - 04.07

here - 03.01.07

University of Winnipeg - CKUW - 02.15.07
LISTEN HERE

The East Shore Mainstreet - 11.06

The Navigator - 09.29.06

Vancouver Co-op Radio (Wake Up With Co-op) - 08.18.06
LISTEN HERE

Radio Waves - 04.06

Express News/Pennywise - 04.26.06

Nanaimo News Bulletin - 02.18.06

Nelson Daily News - 01.06.06

Vancouver's Georgia Straight - 01.05.06

Castlegar News - 01.04.06

The East Shore Mainstreet 02.06

Jon Steinman

Upon arriving in the city of Nelson, Kootenay Co-op Radio (CJLY) was a young but established member-owned community station who welcomed Jon as part of their award-winning morning news programme, Nelson Before Nine. Having been no stranger at the time to sharing his views through his weekly food & beverage columns in PULSE Niagara and Off-Centre Magazine, Jon became inspired by the potential of radio as a medium to communicate information about our food that the mainstream media was not. The groundwork was laid for what would become the weekly one hour radio show Deconstructing Dinner, airing on radio stations across North America between 2006-2011 and was distributed weekly as a podcast.

Jon has been involved in and coordinated many food initiatives including G.E. Free Kootenays, Community Food Matters, and the Kootenay Grain CSA. He's a Board Director of the Kootenay Country Store Co-operative - Canada's largest independent consumer food co-op. Jon most recently authored a report which has been intended to help build capacity in the West Kootenay region of B.C. to develop a regional food system alliance.

Jon is an established writer, having been published in Orion Magazine, Briarpatch Magazine, Small Farm Canada, and Synergy Magazine among others. He's also in increasing demand as a public speaker and he speaks at many food security and agricultural conferences and events.

Book Jon to speak at your next event!