Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 11/1/11

U.S. Representative for Illinois's 9th congressional district

I never think about wanting something at the store that I can't get, except maybe because it's too fattening, but never because I can't afford it. That's the point of the challenge -- to get a glimpse into what the 48 million "food insecure" Americans experience day in and day out.

Rebecca Gerendasy, 11/2/11

Co-founder, Cooking Up a Story

David Korten argues that both "peak oil" and climate change makes it imperative that we transition to a more localized food economy to insure continued access to adequate food supplies.

Rebecca Dolan, 11/2/11

"Vegetarian food in Seattle? That's going to be easy." Such was the common response I received upon telling East Coasters about my plan to dig into Seattle's vegetarian food. In fact, I had no idea just how easy it was going to be as I wound up never having a bad meal in the Emerald City.

Munier Salem, 11/1/11

Graduate Student, Columbia University

It was 1 p.m. on a Saturday in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. Six friends gathered at an outdoor bar near Battery Park. Our goal for that day was simple: have a drink each borough of the city.

André David Halston, 11/1/11

Executive Chef, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club

There are 2 things my holiday guests always talk about, one being my Holiday Stuffing and the other myCitrus Cranberry sauce. I promised to share the recipes for both and do it here.

Marcus Samuelsson, 11/1/11

Chef; Author

Thei Zervaki, 11/1/11

Food writer, fullybooked.biz

One For The Table, 11/1/11

oneforthetable.com

Persimmon's are finally in season and they are all around us. I am a late bloomer when it comes to this overly delicious fruit and it wasn't until last year that I was introduced to them.

Terence Clarke, 11/1/11

Novelist and filmmaker

Bright sunlight flows across the tables. The light reaches the counter, where patrons sit enjoying their coffee, the pastries and the 1970s London coffee-house chic that informs the design of Amanda Michael's café Jane.

Linda Novick O'Keefe, 11/1/11

Founding Executive Director, Common Threads

If you're lucky, you're not one of the 23.5 million Americans living in a "food desert." Food deserts are urban and rural areas that lack access to grocery stores.

Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., 10/31/11

Deputy Director for the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University

TV for dinner? Fast-food restaurants are taking hold of this trend by putting televisions in plain view for their diners. McDonald's recently launched its own TV channel. Why might this be a problem?

Ellen Kanner, 10/31/11

syndicated columnist, the Edgy Veggie

Frankenstein waited too long to make things right. It's not too late for us.

Sara Waxman, 10/31/11

Publisher, editor in chief, DINE Magazine

Find a truffle and it's like finding money buried in the ground. Depending on quality, white truffles the size of a walnut to a grapefruit sell for about $200 per ounce. The dealer has disappeared. Deals are consummated outside, around the corner, out of view. I did not see either truffle or euro change hands.

Laura Carlsen, 10/31/11

Director, Mexico City-based Americas Program of the Center for International Policy; Columnist, Foreign Policy In Focus

Corporate control of the food system locked in by NAFTA not only starves people in Mexico. It locks in a profoundly unhealthy food system for the entire region. No one expects the situation to get better by itself.

Meg Wolff, 10/28/11

One-legged Two-time survivor healthy cook

When asked for a recipe that was healthy or "a better version" for Halloween, I immediately thought of a mouthwateringly delicious, raw-food dessert I'd had at a potluck, made of nuts, dried fruit and a little coconut.

Maria Rodale, 10/31/11

CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc. and book author

Food52, 10/31/11

food52.com