Ryan McNeil
Ever wonder how your food gets from the farm to your fridge? Ever wonder why food keeps a little longer and tastes a little better? Ever wonder why you can buy a bag of chips for eighty five cents but a bunch of carrots costs two fifty? If you want to get the scoop on the situation surrounding much of what we eat, might I suggest FOOD, INC. – a documentary from 2009 which is currently up for an Oscar.
I can’t say why exactly, but much of what FOOD, INC. outlines wasn’t exactly news to me. Maybe I keep up with current events more than I used to, but I was quite aware going in of all the tricks and shortcuts the meat industry has started taking to give us the food we want. What I wasn’t aware of, is the amount of corruption that currently exists within the food industry. I had no idea that 90% of the meat Americans consume come from the same four suppliers…and how those four suppliers are dictating instructions to their farmers. I also wasn’t aware just how many former executives from these suppliers held/hold very important positions in Washington.
What FOOD, INC. does best is question our shopping habits. For instance, ever wonder why it is that you can get a ninety nine cent burger from Burger King…but a head of broccoli costs a buck seventy nine? Why would a family struggling to make ends meet go grocery shopping for healthy ingredients when they can feed their family at the drive-thru for a fraction of the cost?
This doc is informative and entertaining, but might well put you off your dinner. The spread of disease is mapped out in no uncertain terms, and if you’re swayed or upset by such things, you might want to give this a skip. If you want to learn more about what’s really going on with what you’re eating and why you’re eating it – give this a look.
The picture of the cow with the bar-code on it is just nice and subtle.
Just reviewed this today, too. Pretty sure you're stalking me.
Good movie though. Quite certain I'd kill myself on the spot if I worked in one of those factories.
Looks like this is going to be one of those movies that will make me hate the way things are even more.
Everything is such a lie, everything is trickery, theres nothing pure, nothing just, theres only greed and love for money. BARF.
I will see this anyways because I like to keep up to date with all the tricks and lies the pull on society.
While I love the poster, was one of my tops of the year, I just struggle to want to see this. I feel like I've seen it before in other documentaries and movies, and I just don't feel like revisiting that.
@ Andrew… Yeah – as a fan of great movie posters, I'm very drawn to one as graphically interesting as this.
@ Aiden… Funny thing is that I waited four days to write about it. What are the odds that we post on the same day?
@ TFC… Not sure if this is going to fan the flames of your hatred or not. It's informative, that's for sure. Give it a look and let us know what you think!
@ Univarn… It's actually rather fresh (pardon the pun). I was afraid that I'd be watching a doc version of FAST FOOD NATION, but it was very focused on the business of food supply.
I'm unsure about watching this…I do want to keep enjoying my dinner. But its true that vegetables are unbelievably expensive in the US (I dont know about Canada but Im always thinking twice about buying an apple in NY cause it can easily cost me $1.20). Its so much cheaper to buy fruit and veg in Europe! And chocolate…what does that mean? 😉
I have not seen this yet, I think I may have to add it to my Streaming Queue on Netflix.
Jim (From MovieMobsters and Napiersnews)
I pass on movies like this. I would likely never eat again if I knew some of the trade secrets. LOL! I did watch Fast Food Nation and it did me in for fast food. Ewww. Of course that isn't a bad thing really. 🙂
Like the site. Glad I stumbled over here.
PS Loved the podcast with you and MovieMoxie ("The Movie Queen")! Really good. Fun.
The poster is cool but wait until you see the cow with a built access door on its side. Oh Lord, what have we done…
@ Vanessa… Damn – There's no normal grocery store here in Toronto that charges that much to keep the doctor away. I do suspect that some of the organic food shops can ratchet the price up that high.
I don't know if it will scare you off your food or not, but I still say that it contains information that you might want to be aware of.
@ Napier… Do add it – it's up for Best Doc at The Oscars if that means anything to you (PS – Thanks for reading!).
@ Melly… Welcome! If it helps, I was deeply upset by FAST FOOD NATION, but didn't find this to be as much of a kick in the gut. Between the two, I'd much rather re-watch FOOD INC.
Thanks for reading – and for listening!
@ Castor… See, I'd seen that before, so that didn't shock me. Judging by the amount of comments this post has got, I'd say people are curious at least!