I just watched the documentary "Food, Inc." The information in it wasn't news to me. Most of the information covered was in Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivore's Dilemma." It was, however, eye-opening because they showed limited footage of the conditions in which factory farmed animals live, as well as the terrible conditions for the workers.
The best thing about the film is that it is far more accessible to the average American than a book. I know that most people aren't as gung ho about reading as I am, and many people don't like much at all. "Food, Inc." was an hour and a half, and I think that everyone should watch it.
Most of us are completely ignorant about where our food comes from, yet food is the most fundamental building block for life. Unfortunately, the majority of food available comes from just a few giant corporations, and they are not interested in our health. They are interested in making a profit. It turns out that the FDA and the USDA tend to be on the side of the corporations rather than the farmers and the people. This is not OK.
At the end of the film, they said that every time you purchase food, you are voting. If you purchase organic, local, non GMO (genetically modified), sustainably grown and raised food, you encourage your supermarket to continue offering those products, and to offer more in the future. Yes, it costs more out of pocket to buy organic, but the rewards to your body, your community, and the planet are substantial.
I have found that it can be difficult to start dialogue with people about food. They don't want to hear it. There is a sense of security in doing what is familiar. If people learn the truth about the industries they support with their eating habits, it's uncomfortable, and let's face it, no one wants to be uncomfortable. Food, Inc. isn't a feel-good movie. It is painful to watch at moments, and I'm not ashamed to admit that parts of it made me cry. Even so, if I could, I would have everyone watch it. Hopefully, it will make viewers stop and think. Every time someone chooses organic - even if it's not all the time - it is a step in the right direction.
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I've noticed this, too. What especially aggravates me is how some people act so self righteous, as though they really cared...but when you try to engage them in a dialogue about it, they turn their ears off. Case in point: I was getting out getting some food with friends, in law school, and this one girl started attacking my choice of meal (veal). "I don't eat dead baby cow", she said. So I--ever the shrinking violet--replied, "but you do drink milk, and eat milk products; you should see how dairy cows are treated". It's not like we only treat one animal badly; we treat all animals badly.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading a lot about self reliance and sustainability; this is, to me, a good place to start. Growing some of your own food (which is entirely possible, even in an urban environment) is a good step toward, if nothing else, appreciating two things: 1) the work involved in creating food, and 2) your own personal power over the food chain and, likewise, your responsibility to treat it--and by extension yourself--with respect.
Most of us aren't consciously voting with our wallets, because most of us don't perceive ourselves as having that power; we're so disconnected with the fruits of our labors, literally and metaphysically, that we feel totally disempowered.
PS: there's a blog you might find interesting, Feminist Mormon Housewives (www.feministmormonhousewives.org). Despite the title, religion is actually a secondary issue (and appears in a cultural context); the blog (which always gets fascinating comments) addresses all kinds of second wave feminism issues. I think a Wellesley alum would find it interesting :-)
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