I first became interested in the ethical quandaries of the food business when a good friend of mine decided to become vegan. It wasn't until I saw the movie Food, Inc. though, that I decided to put my knowledge into action and change my diet.
This movie is informative and alarming, shattering preconceived notions about the practices that comprise farming in the 21st century. While people may not be surprised by images of industrial feedlots, or even the instances of animal abuse that the film documents, the human cost of big business feeding is often infuriating.
In an interview with a mother of two whose family is overweight, the woman notes how due to the economics of the food industry, fast food is simply the more affordable option. She says, "I feel guilty giving it to my kids," but can't see any way to provide a healthier alternative.
Director Robert Kenner also documents how difficult it is for farmers to advocate for better practices when the nation's food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations. He shows how secretive these companies are about revealing their practices: One farmer he interviews loses her contract with a giant food corporation after allowing reporters to document the abusive methods used to transfer chickens to their factories.
While the film only briefly touches on solutions (and there aren't many), its overall message that it's important for us to understand where our food comes from and how it's made makes it a must-see.
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