Food for Thought
I spent yesterday afternoon watching Food, Inc., a documentary about America's food supply. The film features interviews with Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) as well as various farmers and food producers. While it didn't say anything I hadn't heard before in some capacity, hearing the farmers speak and seeing the visuals definitely helped emphasize the importance of its overarching message: eat organic, eat local, support your farmers, and take the time to find out where your food comes from.
Other than than our meat supply, the film touches on America's corn crop, and the issue of the Monsanto Company which produces genetically engineered seeds. Coincidentally, I came across this investigative piece by the AP that was released only a couple of days ago, questioning Monsanto's (a multi-national corporation) strong-arm tactics toward smaller seed companies. Here is an excerpt:
''We now believe that Monsanto has control over as much as 90 percent of (seed genetics). This level of control is almost unbelievable,'' said Neil Harl, agricultural economist at Iowa State University who has studied the seed industry for decades. ''The upshot of that is that it's tightening Monsanto's control, and makes it possible for them to increase their prices long term. And we've seen this happening the last five years, and the end is not in sight.''
Not only that, but to me it's frightening to think that one company could control the seed supply, and thus the crops, for the entire world.
If you have the time to spare, I definitely suggest you set aside a couple of hours to watch it. There are fewer decisions of more import than what we decide to put into our bodies. My mother has been grinding her own meat as long as I can remember with one of these doodads. Food, Inc. confirmed for me that making your own hamburger is worth the extra five minutes.
--StellaCadente*
Cicciolina on December 17, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Very interesting.........will check out the film.