Mr TBTAM and I saw Food, Inc tonight in a packed audience at the Film Forum, and we’ll be taking the kids to see it as soon as we can. But this movie needs to get out of the art houses and into mainstream movie theaters. Because every American needs to see it.
If, like me, you’ve read books like Fast Food Nation, the Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Animal, Vegeatble, Miracle, you already know what Food Inc is going to tell you – that we’ve lost control of our food supply to the interests of multinational corporations. That government subsidies have driven food production from healthful farmed foods and meats to corn-based high sugar and high fat mass produced foodstuffs whose low upfront cost to consumers belies a much higher cost to individuals and society in terms of our long term physical and economic health.
But I think I hadn’t really grasped the power and wide reach of Monsanto until I saw this movie. Nor had I truly understood the struggles of families with limited means trying to feed their families until I watched a mom steer her children away from fruits and vegetables at the supermarket because they were too expensive. The most shocking moment for me was seeing the projected rates of diabetes if we don’t change this now.
What distinguishes this movie from other movies like Fast Food Nation and SuperSize Me is the message of hope and empowerment that comes at the end. We the consumers have the power to change this bad situation and to reclaim the food supply from the agricultural conglomerates who have hijacked the American diet. The recent introduction of organic and local foods into Walmarts supermarkets are just one example of how consumers can drive production towards healthy foods if that is where we decide to put our dollars.
The Food Inc website has 10 simple things you can do to change our food system. In my family, we are already doing more than half of these, but we could do more. For one, we are going to make Farmers Markets more than just an occasional shopping destination.
What can you do?
I have not seen Food Inc. yet, but I have heard of it. What I have seen is Supersize Me, and that really was an eye-opener. I'll try and find a copy of Food Inc. and watch it.
This is such an important point to make. Let's take as much time with this issue as we have with finance regulation – afterall they are linked in the end. It's about some corporate bottom line and investor returns.
I have data for PROOF, but I have had too many encounters with young people getting "Rare" cancers, and my personal belief is that the young boomers and old gen Xers are the first generations to be raised on processed foods from an early age. Too many antibiotics, too many steroids. Too many GM foods. TOO MUCH CANCER.
I have been told (again, no data here, just what I have heard/read. TBTAM, do you have data?) that the average age for girls starting their period is now a full 2 years younger than it was in the 50's and 60's. 2 years!
Whenever possible, we get hormone free, antibiotic free meats and dairy. Living where I do, this is not a huge imposition, but it is a huge cost difference.
We want better healthcare? Make this issue part of the cure.
Thanks for posting!
I saw this last Saturday in LA. It's only playing for one more day here. May I add the documentary The Corporation to your list as well as Real Food by Nina Planck and The Untold Story of Milk. I'm quite passionate about eating real food, and while I think this documentary doesn't cover a lot of new ground, it's critical for those who've not thought a lot about our food supply. Food corporations and agribusinesses will kill us slowly unless we fight back.
I've not heard of this – not surprising, it will take awhile to get here, but I think it's a crime that people can't afford to buy decent food but can get junk. I think the Europeans are a little stricter about production standards… but probably not enough. If you get AOC foods, it's very controlled
I shop at the best supermarket in the UK, Waitrose. I haven't found a huge difference in my bill and my children eat all the food I put in front of them so there's no waste. We also have a fantastic local farm shop.
In the UK we have Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who is a pioneer in educating the public about eating good food. He's started up the Land Share scheme in conjunction with the National Trust so that people can start growning their own vegetables.
I don't food shop in supermarkets that have extras such as DVD's, clothes (as horrible and nasty as the cheap meat they pile on the shelves), TV's etc. Their vegetables don't taste the same either.
I did this after I read Fast Food Nation. It shocked me to the core. I couldn't eat fast food after that. It's all about education and I do feel for people who see eating meat as a more substantial meal rather than a dish with vegetables. Bring back cookery classes in schools.
important correction…I intended to say that I have NO proof…just anecdotal evidence.
Sorry about that!
Although never published in movie format, The China Study published by T. Colin Campbell in 2006 is also powerful, reminding us of the food-disease connection, as well, those core tenets of good human nutrition (not apt to be red meat, apt to be fruit-veg-nut-grain). Good-bye Key Food, hello Farmers' Markets! PJG
I've only seen the preview, but that particular part? where they drag the girl away from the pears? I wanted to cry. It is a huge problem that the food one needs to eat to remain healthy costs more than the food that makes one sick. Huge. And I don't see it changing quickly, though I do see some things that give me hope, such as WM carrying non-BSt milk.
*sigh*