Food Inc and You

by Nia Shanks | Follow her on Twitter here

This weekend I made time to watch Food Inc. I have heard about it for a while now, and it never played at any of the theatres in or near my town so I didn't have the opportunity to see it sooner. Now it's finally available for purchase and rent.

I'm not going to give a full review of Food Inc here. That's what I originally planned on as I watched the movie, but I think you are better off taking my recommendation to just watch it for yourself.

Not only do you have a right to know how your meals reach the dinner table, but now more than ever we all need to know how it happens.

Every time we make a food purchase, whether it's at a grocery store, fast food place, or a dine in restaurant, we are making a vote. We are telling the food industry what we want, what we think is acceptable, and what we want them to do/not do.

Now I'm not telling you to watch Food Inc because I think “you should eat is” or “you shouldn't eat that.” I simply believe that we all need to be made aware of the food choices we make, how it affects us as individuals and how it affects our world.

Do yourself a favor and watch Food Inc. Yes, some of it is shocking, and don't say “I won't watch the movie if it's going to make it hard for me to eat dinner.” That's not a good excuse.

After watching that movie, I'll admit, it reinforced some personal decisions I have made about the food choices I make . . . but I'm thankful for that.

Also, another great resource when it comes to being aware of how our food reaches our dinner tables is The Food Revolution, by John Robbins. You can find this book used for less than five dollars on Amazon (I just checked).

Like I already said, I am not telling you to watch Food Inc or read The Food Revolution because I think you should or shouldn't eat a certain way. I just think every person deserves to know, and should know, how food reaches their tables.

Watch the movie and leave your thoughts below.

http://Website(optional) Jack

Hey Nia:

Haven't seen it yet, but my friends tell me how brilliant and scary it is. Going to put it on top of my list. My wife just got back from the “Western Price” food conference. Are you familiar with them?

Jack

ps – love the interview with M. Roberston!
http://thefatsolutions.com Nia Shanks

Jack-

Definitely let me know your thoughts once you see the movie. It really brings to light the reality that the food industry is just out for profit, and nothing else.

No . . . I have never heard of the Western Price food conference. Feel free to give me some information. ; )

Thanks! The interview with Mike was fun – that guy is incredible. Tony Gentilcore interviewed me last week, and that one should be on his site some time this week.

Thanks again, Jack!
http://beeskneeslife.blogspot.com Bree

I just wrote a post about the movie on my blog last week. I also read Ominvore's Dilemma by Micheal Pollan. I completely agree with you – everyone should see the film and read books about this topic. I am not convinced myself whether to eat a certain way or not yet, but it was nice to see like you, a lot of the things they mention to help the cause I already do. If anything, it was refreshing to learn something new about the foods we eat and where they come from. My take on Pollan was that he isn't trying to persuade, but rather inform. At least that was what I got out of it.
Jill

Hi Nia-

I was really blown away by the film and think it should be required watching in all public schools.

It made me feel a sense of responsibility about the food choices I make and how every dollar I spend can support those inhumane and greedy business practices or help weaken them.
http://Website(optional) Jack

Hey Nia: Looking forward to reading the interview with Tony! He's very funny!

ps – here's a link explaining the foundation – http://www.westonaprice.org/

It's about traditional foods and eating. Very interesting stuff, even if you are a vegan.

pss – I'm writing a paper on the Time magazine article on fitness. Did you write a rebuttal on this site? I know Tony wrote one, but can't seem to find it. If so, can you send me the link? Thanks
Jill

Hi Nia-

I was really blown away by the film and think it should be required watching in all public schools.

It made me feel a sense of responsibility about the food choices I make and how every dollar I spend can support those inhumane and greedy business practices or help weaken them.
Jill

Hi Nia-

I was really blown away by the film and think it should be required watching in all public schools.

It made me feel a sense of responsibility about the food choices I make and how every dollar I spend can support those inhumane and greedy business practices or help weaken them.
http://thefatsolutions.com Nia Shanks

Bree-

I haven't read Omnivores Delimma yet, but that one is on my list too.

Yes, I do think it's best that people get educated on this matter as well. Thanks so much for the comment!

Jill-

Yeah, that movie definitely reinforced, to me at least, the responsibility we all have about the food choices we make – how they affect us and our world.

I personally follow a vegetarian diet because I can't stand to see how those animals are treated. Also, even if I know they are treated well (as was the case with the farmer in Food Inc) I STILL can't bring myself to eat those animals because I couldn't personally kill them.

I feel a since of guilt if I eat an animal that I know I couldn't kill peronsally . . . but that's my stand on the subject.

Thanks for the comment!

PS – Didn't you think it was strange how the family in the movie said they couldn't buy vegetables and fruit because they are “too expensive” but they could by several 2 liters of coke???

Jack-

Thanks for the link – I'll check that out.

As for the Time's article, I didn't write a rebuttal, and I'm not sure where Tony's is.

Definitely let me know when you get yours posted. I'd really like to read it.

Thanks!

Food Inc and You

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