HW 10 - Food, Inc. Response

#1-

Our purpose in making this movie was to remove the curtain that is shielding us from learning what is actually in our food. Industrial food companies put up this veil because they know if consumers knew what was in the food they were purchasing, they probably wouldn't want to buy it. Most of the food American’s buy in grocery stores have been processed with chemicals, pesticides or have been genetically modified. They also abuse the animals that are used with unfair living conditions and unfit diets. This movie shows all of this corruption that happens behind the scenes of the food industry and contrasts it with local and completely organic farms as well as huge organic companies. The dramatic changes made to agriculture in the passed 50 years has only caused economic, environmental, and physical health struggles but when it comes down to it, we have the power to change all of this. The consumers as a whole have the authority to demand change because the food industry has to supply our needs if they are looking for a profit.

#2-

I believe that this movie and the book  “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan offered very different things. The movie informed me more about the governments influence on modern Agriculture. Because the food industry pulls in so much money, it seems like the government stands out of its way. In fact, they support these major food companies despite the major health concerns regarding some of their product.  The government does this by creating the FDA, which agrees to conceal where food was made and how it is made for these companies sake.  Major food corporations’ even abuse the law making it illegal to criticize their food.

The book on the other hand offers more first hand experiences from the author.  Pollan shares many facts about the food industry but he also shares his reactions to many different types of food, and his encounters with farmers who raise and grow food for a living. He also puts himself in the shoes of an actual hunter gather which is important for him to do because he argues that agriculture was the downfall that led to the food industry.

#3-

I know that one of the main reasons why people in America get sick is because of what we eat.  A government that doesn’t immediately ban a food product that causes death is not a government I think I can look up too. Obesity is a clear epidemic in this country and what these corporations argue is that it is the nations choice to eat how they do. This is true for some people but for those who can’t afford healthier food, there is no alternative but to starve. It isn’t fair that the poor who cant afford any better get sick and on top of that have to pay so many hospital bills and get poorer. It is a vicious cycle. But if the nation changed its food ways, would this cycle be ended? Would it be possible to have free health care in this country if eventually there were a drastic decrease in the amount of sick people? It seems as if everything revolves around the food we chose to eat and if we make positive changes then there would be a chain reaction of progression in other aspects such as the environment, the economy and our health.