Movie Review Friday: Food, Inc.

Escape to the movies with one of our Movie Review Friday selections. Each week we review a film with an environmental theme that’s currently in theaters or available on DVD. Seen a good eco-flick lately? Send us a short review and look for it in the next Movie Review Friday.

Food, Inc. (2009)
Now playing

The latest documentary to highlight America’s transition from a country of plant- and animal-producing farms to food-producing factories, Food, Inc. stars several outspoken whistleblowers, including Eric Schlosser, who wrote Fast Food Nation, and Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

Interviews with these journalists, combined with disturbing footage of factory farms and slaughterhouses, proves that the food we have come to think of as cheap is actually quite costly. While watching, we learn that, in addition to contributing to food poisoning, obesity, and diabetes, our increasingly corn-based diet is fueling a staggering loss of genetic diversity and an unsustainable oil addiction. Petroleum runs every stage of the modern agricultural system, from driving tractors to transporting cows to fertilizing fields.

However, the filmmakers do try to show that the situation isn’t all gloom and doom; they profile major players in the mainstream move toward sustainable foods (including the CEO of Stonyfield Farm, an organic dairy producer that sells to Wal-Mart). The film ends optimistically, with a reminder that people can vote for a better, healthier future whenever they buy food.

--Natalie Gaber

Comments

[Alyssa]

One thing Pollan points out in Omnivore's Dilemma is how equally fuel-guzzling the industrial organic model is. Sure it's keeping tons of pesticides out of the ground and our waterways, but it's taking just as much fuel to transport all that Calorganic broccoli from Cali. to New York.
What Food, Inc. does to really point out that not all is lost, is show how the reckless cigarette industry was forced to change its evil ways. If we can just wake up and demand healthy foods, we'll get them.
A Bic Mac is cheaper than a head of romaine for a reason.

[Leslie Bauer]

The most important message that needs to be acted on is EAT LOCAL! Vote with your FORK! WE have the opportunity, 3 times daily (aren't we SO blessed!)to choose foods that are healthy, locally produced and seasonal. This means that right now, when the Summer bounty is here, that people learn to 'put up' their extras for the winter months as once our grandmothers did. LEARN, TEACH, SHARE your skills and information; we are all in this together. Support the farms and people that are producing REAL FOOD and learn to cook it. Compost your scrapes by finding a community garden, even if you do not have the space yourself or the skill to do it. The resources are endless and the food revolution is NOW. Pay attention and get active. Every choice you make that lessens the load is wonderful. No GUILT, just ACT. WE all can make ONE change-NOW. There is nothing else that we have but the present. And it is not too late....aloha.

[GreenGirl]

Every choice we makes helps when we choose local over out of region, or out of country. Start now, with one little thing, then add on to it every day that you can.

[Judy C.]

I was disturbed that this excellent documentary was pulled from our theaters very early. It was given just one week showing at our local theater, and then went downtown to an obscure movie theater for a week. I am not a conspiracy theorist, but the content of this movie directly flies in the face of major corporate conglomerates, including McDonalds, Monsanto, Tyson.... etc. I wondered if this might be the reason it was pulled so soon? Everyone that I recommended it to, appreciated seeing it. Actually, I think that it is a MUST SEE for anyone who eats! (Although after seeing, it you may not want to eat as much! After viewing this movie,
many left in a conundrum about what to eat. We went home to a tranquil vegetarian meal, but I imagine that movie-goers eating popcorn and drinking Coke,or planning to leave the theater and go out and eat a carnivore's delight, would gag on their food. I also recommend the older movie King Corn which is available on DVD. If you haven't seen these both... then you shouldn't put that fork to your mouth.

[new york hotel]

Does someone remember the song? "Hershey's chocolate..." the first i visited the factory i was 8 years old. now i booked a trip for me and my son. lets see if something has changed during those years..