Over the summer I went to see Food Inc., a national documentary exploiting the food industry’s contribution to various health, government, environmental and ultimately ethical issues. Food Inc. employs personal narratives alongside shocking statistics and facts to expose the discrepancy between the food we consume and the truth behind its production. While many of the statistics and stories were new to me, the documentary’s b-roll was in true PETA tradition. The documentary floods viewers with images of slaughter, filthy conditions, exploited workers from impoverished areas, all contrasted to images of open plains and independent ranchers. The food industry’s character is painted vividly and made all the more grotesque by its access to technological innovation, embodiment of mass production and backing by corrupt legislation. It was no wonder that upon leaving the theater, I felt I was walking out of the dark and seeing the light for the first time… or was it the first time?
Six years ago, my sophomore year in high school, an animal rights activist in my T.V. Production course showed me a documentary called Delicacy of Despair by an organization called Gourmet Cruelty. The video discussed foie gras, or duck liver, that is made from a duck who has been specially fattened through forced feeding. After viewing the final scene of the documentary, where a group of ducks are rescued, I asked the student how he did not get in trouble for participating in stealing the ducks, even though his face was shown multiple times. He told me that the factory they rescued, or stole, ducks from did not want to admit it was their farm due to the dire conditions shown on the film. This introduction to the mass production of meat was an introduction into what has become an interest in not only food but also issues of environment, labor rights, poverty and legislation. Among the oldest concerns of life lies food, so it is no wonder food has become a source of political debate and societal concern. If we are what we eat, what have we become?
Food Inc. is among many examples citing the increased interest people have in answering this question. Eric Schlosser, who co-produced Food Inc., is also writer who has contributed to Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. In 2001 he released his book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, a look into the fast-food industry, through topics such as marketing, obesity, farming and slaughterhouses. The book has since been placed on the New York Times Best-Sellers List and turned into major motion film. Food Inc. also features Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma which has been named one of the ten best books of the year by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. Pollan and Schlosser, both investigative journalists, understood and capitalized among this growing interest in the source of our food and it’s various consequences. Similarly, Michelle Obama recently started a vegetable garden on the White House’s south lawn to promote buying sustainable and local produce. Marie Claire featured an article called, “The Girl’s Guide to Eating Green” in their last issue. The New Republic’s cover story, “Aquacalypse Now: The End of Fish” discusses the decline of fish populations.
If the median is a message in itself, the increase of literature, film, news coverage, and celebrity statements concerning food attests to the importance of examining what we eat from a critical lens. My interest in food has led me through many stages, from being a vegetarian to eating tripe… I have been a pesca-tarian, poultry-tarian, back to vegetarian, stopped eating only pork, eaten bacon only when in Georgia, only eaten meat my Dad will cook, and so forth. And, this was before the green, organic movement. I have since supported and protested Whole Foods. I have shopped at produce stations but cursed them for their expensive prices. I have gone from eating eggs, to only eating free-range eggs, to eating only vegetarian-fed, free-range eggs, to not caring because I am in college and don’t have money or time to think that much about eggs…The more I learn it seems that my preference is no longer about just being "picky”, but about politics.
Throughout the course of the semester I hope to examine the various topical issues associated with our food system through research, interviews, and ultimately experience. My first experience comes from PETA’s website where I pledged to be a vegetarian for at least 30 days. I will try to be as honest as possible and also provide recipes, resources and advice that I receive during this time.
**Note to readers: I will create links to various videos and articles when I learn how to. Thank you for your patience!
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