Food, Inc., the movie

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

If you eat, you should see this film… even though it is said to be slightly disturbing. We need to be aware of some truths about our food system… truths big agribusiness doesn’t want us to know, and some laws they hope to enact to keep us from knowing. Somehow I think it is appropriate to post this just before we Americans celebrate our Independence on July 4th.

The film closely follows books like “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan, and “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser — to the point that its own voice becomes somewhat muted. But as Mr. Kenner [the director] explained when interviewed in New York last week, he made it for people who will never read the books.

Featuring interviews with such experts as the authors of the books above, and with forward-thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin, “Food, Inc.” reveals surprising, and often shocking, truths about the safety of what we eat, the often horrifying way it is produced, and the corporate powers that actually control our food supply.

As “Food, Inc.” demonstrates, the corporate control of our food has given us a new strain of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that cause illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually; widespread obesity, particularly among children; and an epidemic level of diabetes and heart disease among adults. The film also describes the abusive persecutions and prosecution of farmers around the country by Monsanto as it attempts to push its genetically engineered crops.

There has been lots of press about this movie, and I certainly intend to see it. I doubt it will ever play in my small burg, but the DVD will be available at some point. Meanwhile, here’s the trailer…
Edit: Sorry, the trailer code doesn't seem to work. Try Here