FOOD, Inc........ MUST SEE!!!

[CityChicker]

It's funny to me that this thread is *already* turning into some of what the other one did.... people that have never seen the film spouting off about what it *must* be about. LOL. I guess that is somewhat understandable, but the film is not even remotely what some people seem to think. It is not about animal rights (at least not as a primary focus) and it is not even the slightest bit about being pro vegan/vegetarian.

The main point of the film is anti factory farming. It is extremely PRO-farming. It is extremely sympathetic to farming and those producing food outside of the factory farms. I would venture a guess that probably 99% of the people on this website would agree with almost everything in the film.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Haven't seen this film but just read "The Omnivore's Dilemma", also very illuminating re food. If I remember correctly, injecting hormones is a thing of the past. It's the antibiotics that are of greater concern. The book maintains that because cattle are so densely maintained on feed lots and fed corn instead of grass, they are pumped with antibiotics to prevent illness, which contributes to the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten us.

Very interesting reading. The author also devotes a section of the book to Joel Salatin's Polyface farm in Virginia, where a more traditional method of farming is practiced on a smaller scale which he submits is healthier for the animals and the humans.

 

[CityChicker]

Joel is interviewed in the film and is painted in a very positive light. He was one of the best parts of the film.

 

[Wifezilla]

Yup...those crowded conditions lead to the need for all the anti-biotics. I am also a big fan of Joel Salatin. I recently read his book "Everything I want to do is illegal".

 

[Q9]

Quote:
HAHAHAHAHA!!! Totally off topic, but when I glanced at your post the first time I could have sworn that you said you were "a big fan of Joe Stalin!"

 

[Buster52]

This is indeed an excellent film. It does a good job of displaying the problems with the current food production system that treats farmers like hired hands and animals like machines. I would encourage those who are criticizing it to see it before doing so. Your comments may then bear more weight.

And no, it isn't a pro-vegan film. In fact, it ignores that lifestyle and vegetarianism altogether, much to the irritation of folks who promote those lifestyles.

I will say, however, I wish they had spent more time on solutions rather than so much time on the problems. I also didn't like how little time was spent with organic farmers and so much with Big Organic. A much better film in that regard is FRESH (the movie), which spends much more time with people like Joel Salatin and Will Allen and other in the sustainable agriculture movement. I left Food, Inc. depressed and angry. I left FRESH filled with hope and enthusiasm.

However, they they do complement one another. And they are excellent bookend films and should be seen as close together as possible. Food Inc is being released on DVD this month. FRESH was never released to the theaters, but can be screened from your home for a modest fee. It will be available for purchase soon.

 

[mjdtexan]

I have not seen it. I have to admit we buy all of our meat. I am growing most of my vegetables now. Of course the chickens are making eggs.

 

[SportTees]

I watched it finnally- DH wouldnt let me watch it without him. Very informative good movie! They stress the facts and that makes me want to go buy a cow and raise my own beef! All the science and chemicals involved in our food is disgraceful.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I spend last night looking at Michigan Milk laws. I found out that you can sell pasteurized milk and was wondering what exactly I'd have to do to do it legally. Quite a bit, it turns out. At least I was heartened to read that dairy animals in this state cannot be exposed to or given certain chemicals, can not eat animal offal or food from a landfill and other things along that line. Then again, Michigan's always had pretty high food standards, but most of the dairy farms around us either grow their own feed or have cows on some pasture. A few organic farms are near us

 

[lilwhispers]

Good movie, cant wait to see Fresh. I also am a fan of Joel Salatin have read "Everything I want to do is illegal" and "Salad Bar Beef" and should be getting the pastured poultry one (forget the title) soon. I am trying to convince My dad to allow me to try some of Joels approaches on our farm. There is a new bill that Congressman Ron Paul has introduced that would repeal the FEDERAL ban on raw milk sales. It wont force individual states to change their laws but will keep feds from having a problem with it. Here is a link to the petition for anyone who would like to sign it http://www.ftcldf.org/petitions/pnum987.php .It is a step in the right direction for the right to choose what we want to eat.