Food, Inc. Will Move You…And It Should.

ATLANTA — My wife and I watched the documentary film, Food, Inc. this week. I’m now calling out Perdue Chicken…gobble gobble. I’m also calling out its cousin, Tyson Chicken… Bawk Bawk Bawk.  

Food, Inc. is a harrowing expose about America’s industrialized food system in the last 50 to 60 years and its effect on the environment, economy, on workers’ rights and their health. It’s eye-opening, sad and disturbing. It’s also important and optimistic because there are solutions; it’s that sort of film. The information will blow your mind; the images within it will stick with you for some time. My wife and I have been talking about it all week.

Perdue and Tyson were called out in the movie, hence why I’ve “outed” them. The clucking outfits declined to be interviewed for the film (CHICKENS!), which is slightly creepy considering accusations were directed against Tyson and Perdue for being “factory farmers.” Some might ask why would a company like Perdue or Tyson decline to be interviewed for a movie like Food, Inc.? Wouldn’t they want to defend their practices for feeding the masses? It’s this failure to answer questions on camera about factory farming that disturbs me most.

My guess is, these companies don’t even want you to see the parts of the food industry on display in Food, Inc., nor do they want to talk about it. It’s just something they’d rather sweep under the table. And with billions of dollars at stake, who can blame them? Why would they want to spoil a good thing where they make a sweet profit even if it’s really rotten at the core? If it “ain’t” broke, don’t fix it, or so the saying goes.

I’m certain these two companies are not alone in their actions. But using them both as examples, have you ever seen thee companies’ chicken breasts packaged together in the grocery store? Or the multipacks of legs, wings and thighs? Tell you what, next time you’re grocery shopping, take a close look at these multipacks when you get a chance. After close inspection, you’ll notice all the chicken parts are about the same size. That’s done on purpose, folks, because they’ve all been engineered to look that way. Food, Inc. says science is to thank. In theory, you might as well call ALL of these chickens Perdue, or Tyson. The name difference really signifies nothing, just who pays who, who employs who, who gets to stick their name on what label, who kills what chickens. But the chickens are all the same, and the same could be said of certain cows and pigs, too. And Americans eat lots of ALL of them!

To get an idea of the subject matter, Google ‘factory farming.” The results will direct you to some quick facts, one of which is the companies that factory farm try to hide who they are. But think about it, why would these companies want to be discovered? I mean (and read this slowly) THEY GROW ANIMALS MEANT TO LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME IN ORDER TO FEED HUMAN BEINGS.  Read what’s in caps again. SLOWLY! When you think about it, that is sort of a gross, strange, necessary subject, no? If I were that company, I’d want to keep that hat in the bag, too.

But what’s shocking about factory farming are the lives – or lack thereof – the animals live. It’s quite a different life from that of regular farm animals. Matter of fact, farm factory animals are treated like no animal I can think of. Inhumane doesn’t even describe their treatment. Unbelievable is more apt. Or sick, and disgusting. And when you see Food, Inc., AND YOU SHOULD SEE IT, you’ll never think of Perdue or Tyson’s chickens the same again. Same could be said for hamburger meat. If you even care remotely about what you put in your body and eat as food, you’ll think twice the next time when those chickens or cows or pigs come out on your plate as chicken wings, cheeseburgers or bacon,… especially if it’s at a national fast-food chain.

In terms of getting its message out, Food, Inc., hit a home run. As a society now, we need to follow that film’s advice the best we can.  If everyone does their part, we can affect change. One aspect of the message is really simple, too. It’s go organic if you can. It’s also if you’re not going to be a vegetarian (kudos to you if you are!), then you must COMPLETELY support and demand the humane treatment of farm animals. If you don’t, you might as well just eat farm animal peewee and doo doo, because these animals you’re eating have certainly been laying in it. Yes, you’re reading that right, these animals sometimes lay in their own feces. Hmmmm, yummy chicken.

What I’d also tell you is that if consumers demand organic, sustainably produced products from suppliers, the industrialized food industry will be FORCED to supply them. Organic prices then come down and that becomes the norm for all.

Look, there are not many films in existence where I’d say, “You REALLY must see this.” But Food, Inc. is that rare exception.  Hopefully after you’ve seen it, you’ll tell someone else about it because it moved you, just like I am. That’s how movements are born, and the organic movement has already begun. It’s now time to take it to the masses, and that starts at home and in our communities. We can continue to grow the trend. We just have to demand organic as consumers, one food product at a time.

In Georgia today, I know farmers’ markets exist all over metro Atlanta at various times of year. I know there are other places to purchase organic products year round. Buy from these outlets if you can. When you purchase food from large, national chains and restaurants, ask for and read the labels and know what you’re buying and where the food comes from. When voting for your elected leaders, vote for those who support oversight, accountability and transparency from the entire food industry. After all, this stuff you’re buying – food – it goes in your body. If anything deserves the best, it’s you!!!

But hey, if you don’t want to listen to me, then go ahead and enjoy the fecal matter (a.k.a. doo doo) on your leafy green lettuce and spinach. I myself am going to pass. I prefer my food doo doo-free, thank you.

That means choosing organic.

No related posts.