Hurricane Sandy was easily the big news story of the week, so it’s only natural that the storm also tops this week’s food news. And there’s no need to be flip now, when so many are suffering.

Today, food trucks gave away free food in some of the New York and New Jersey areas hardest hit by Sandy. 

 Are you planning on eating out this weekend? Restaurants around the country are donating a portion of their sales to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

While many restaurants were without power and closed their doors, others worked by candlelight and carried on.

Employees at one restaurant set up a grill in the front of the restaurant and prepared $5 lobster and steak sandwiches.

And finally, a quote from American farm worker, civil rights activist and labor leader Cesar Chavez:

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food, give you their heart.”

Here’s a smattering of some of the more interesting food news this week… as well as an image of a frighteningly realistic cake!

 There’s a huge war raging right now… that I bet you didn’t even know about!

Food culture is really seeping into our consciousness. As proof, check out some of the new words added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online. I’m surprised that “red velvet cake” wasn’t already in there!

Starbucks is going cashless. This is either very good… or very dangerous.

The ongoing drought is going to make you worry about how food gets to your table. Thirty million dollars in federal aid will help… but it won’t be enough.

Finally… this is easily the most incredible cake I’ve ever seen. It is an Amelanistic Burmese Python made by North Star Cakes in Kent, England. Check out what other enchantment they create!

This week was National Farmer’s Market week… find a market and go shopping! Have a great weekend!

A few interesting things happened in the food world this week that you should definitely know about:

1. The heat wave and drought are going to send food prices skyrocketing… look for the first increase (in poultry) in the fall.
2. The FDA has officially banned BPA from use in baby bottles and sippy cups.
3. Boston’s mayor says the fried chicken fast food chain Chick-fil-A isn’t welcome in his city because the company’s president has admitted he’s anti-homosexual.

Now, the really interesting stuff that’s FUN to know about…

San Diego Comic-Con showcased a new batch of nerd snacks to feed the zombie-costumed masses.

Soylent Green Crackers

Is your Greek yogurt a poseur?

A beverage company decided to try its hand at making air. What they came up with, sounds (and apparently tastes) like alcoholic water.

If you thought the idea of a sushi vending machine was weird, how about this mashed potato vending machine?

That’s it… have a wonderful weekend!

Here are this week’s food headlines… a few interesting tidbits to drop at your Cinco de Drinko Derby party.

Now finish making those Mint Julep Margaritas and I’ll share the news…

Meat melded with Transglutaminase, aka "Meat Glue"

Is the controversy over “meat glue” going to blow up like pink slime did a few months ago? Meat glue is an enzyme used to hold different kinds of meat together… everything from filet mignon to chicken nuggets to that fake crab you love so much in sushi.

Sir Richard Branson Ice Cube

The billionaire owner of Virgin Atlantic Airlines has found a way to fly with all of his passengers on every single flight: the ice cubes served aboard are now shaped like Sir Richard Branson’s head.

Very disappointing news this week that Type 2 diabetes, the kind linked with obesity, progresses much faster and is harder to treat in children. The bottom line: You can’t medicate your way out of a bad diet!

Image by Marlin E. Rice for Iowa State University

People were all freaked out about the beetles in the Starbucks Strawberry Frappacino. Well, here are some bugs that you’ve probably ingested without even knowing about it. Oh, and the Food and Drug Administration says they’re fine with it.

Finally, an interesting social experiment in this video from CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Have a great weekend (and wait your turn in line for those tequila shots!).