Just watched "Food Inc"

[Curt]

If you get the opportunity, rent "Food Inc.
It's truly an eye opener.
It's NOT about vegetarians vs meat eaters.
It's about what the massive food industry is doing to our food.
You'll never look at store bought chicken, steak, or tomato the same way.

5eKYyD14d_0

[ando]

thanks, i've been meaning to check that out...another one i'd highly recommend is 'king corn'...

[neastguy]

I'm afraid to... I'll never eat again

[DonW]

Saw it awhile back, changed what I eat as a result. Pasture fed beef is pretty dang good.

[Darkburst]

I'm afraid to... I'll never eat again

Nah, you'll just be more careful about what you eat.

[EelEye]

Saw it last weekend. Haven't changed my diet...yet.

I thought the soybean segment was interesting and completely monopolistic on the part of Monsanto--pushing people out of ancillary businesses (seed cleaning) by suing them on specious grounds is just plain wrong. Too bad those farmers didn't have the funds to fight them.

I also don't care if a tomato is a "notional" tomato or not. Why does it matter when or how it is grown if the end product is fine?

[Cap'n Fingers]

It's been sitting by the BD player for couple of weeks waiting to be viewed.
I bet it causes my grocery bill to go way up. Coop producers cost more.
It wasn't to many decades ago that the average household food bill was about 50% of our income.
If you want the good stuff you have to pay for it.

[neastguy]

Nah, you'll just be more careful about what you eat.

ah.. maybe I'll watch it then:dude

[Dave Klausner]

Great documentary. It not only shows you the "what" of what is happening now, it shows you the historical "why" of how it came to be.

Yes, my food bills went up a bit after seeing it, but it also makes you realize that a big part of the reason food is as cheap as it is has to do with farm (particularly corn) subsidies, so we're really all paying a higher price than we pay at the market, and in turn, are getting a far less healthy product.

[rjpilot]

I read Fast Food Nation...Is it anything like that? That was a good book...got to be a bit political but good.

FWIW I saw "Supersize me" and I still eat MCd's every once in a while.

MODERATION!!!

[harryjmic]

I think I saw both, if Food Inc is largely about the genetic manipulation of seed crops then I saw that one. I also saw King Corn which explains to a large degree why we may have the illegal immigration issue we do.

[Butterfly]

The whole chicken raising industry is screwed up IMO. The woman in the move who agrees to let the cameras in was making like 15-20k a year or something, but had debt and overhead of >300K. It's nuts.

[mge80]

That's why I love living out here. The beef and bison I get come from small farms where they are grass fed. The chickens and eggs come from this one small farm where they are cage free and processed by hand. The produce comes from local gardens (mostly Hmong). The honey and maple syrup is also from local producers.

It has definitely been one of the best by-products about moving out here. One I hadn't considered until after the fact.

[Scott Peterson]

That's why I love living out here. The beef and bison I get come from small farms where they are grass fed. The chickens and eggs come from this one small farm where they are cage free and processed by hand. The produce comes from local gardens (mostly Hmong). The honey and maple syrup is also from local producers.

It has definitely been one of the best by-products about moving out here. One I hadn't considered until after the fact.

I'm coming over for dinner. And lunch. And breakfast. ;) :D

[Hacksaw]

The whole chicken raising industry is screwed up IMO. The woman in the move who agrees to let the cameras in was making like 15-20k a year or something, but had debt and overhead of >300K. It's nuts.


I saw that, I was a little shocked since my neighbor owns one of these chicken farms and is clearing over 5x that amount. Feed is provided by the contracted processing plant which saved a large amount of my neighbors overhead.

Still amazing how the feed can grow a chicken so fast. :tapedshut

[Curt]

I saw that, I was a little shocked since my neighbor owns one of these chicken farms and is clearing over 5x that amount. Feed is provided by the contracted processing plant which saved a large amount of my neighbors overhead.

Still amazing how the feed can grow a chicken so fast. :tapedshut

What's even more amazing, is how grossly obese our children are becoming from eating commercially grown, hormone pumped, crap like this.

[Hacksaw]

What's even more amazing, is how grossly obese our children are becoming from eating commercially grown, hormone pumped, crap like this.

Agreed, and I wonder how is it effecting us older folks. Very freaky when I think about it. My father told me when I was a kid food would be chemical processed and finding real food would be hard to do one day. Dad was right, again.

[Curt]

they will definitely not be as delicious as they used to be. :worried



There still pretty good if they're marinated overnight.:)

[halcyon85]

I've meant to watch this, but still haven't.

I did, however, get into a heated argument today with one of my bosses over pasture fed cattle vs. factory farm cattle. I said the beef is more tender and all around just tastes better when they're allowed to live as nature intended. Happier cows make better beef.

He patronized me, mocked me, and laughed at me. I told him I hoped he was reincarnated as a milk cow on an industrial farm.

[Jube2550]

This thread is making me hungry for something healthy. Will have to check it out.

[PSaulino]

As a follow up, read "Eating Animals"
http://www.eatinganimals.com/

The information is vital to anyone who gives a (crap) about what (crap) they stick in their mouths on a daily basis.

Also see here: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=652974&highlight=Eating+animals


Good luck,
Paul

[dividedsky]

I've meant to watch this, but still haven't.

I did, however, get into a heated argument today with one of my bosses over pasture fed cattle vs. factory farm cattle. I said the beef is more tender and all around just tastes better when they're allowed to live as nature intended. Happier cows make better beef.

He patronized me, mocked me, and laughed at me. I told him I hoped he was reincarnated as a milk cow on an industrial farm.

Good rule of thumb: Don't talk about food at work. If I did I would get fired lol. I just nod my head and smile.

You would think food would be something people could talk about without wanting to strangle one another but I've found it's far more heated than religion or politics.

[LHanson]

What's even more amazing, is how grossly obese our children are becoming from eating commercially grown, hormone pumped, crap like this.

First, I haven't seen the movie the OP mentioned.

However, in relation to the quoted poster....

*Bullshit flag*

There are no hormones "pumped" into U.S. raised chicken. It's illegal. In fact, most "growers" don't use even antibiotics, just probiotics. My best friend lived, for a time, on a chicken farm in East Texas. The chickens were well fed, well watered, housed in a "coop" larger than nearly any human house, and were "encouraged" to develop faster than nature allows by a very simple expedient of manipulating the light in the coop. They darken the coop, and the chickens go to sleep; they light the coop, and the chicken eat. They repeat this cycle 3x a day, so the chicks eat 3x the feed they would normally eat.

[PSaulino]

First, I haven't seen the movie the OP mentioned.

However, in relation to the quoted poster....

*Bullshit flag*

There are no hormones "pumped" into U.S. raised chicken. It's illegal. In fact, most "growers" don't use antibiotics, just probiotics. My best friend lived, for a time, on a chicken farm in East Texas. The chickens were well fed, well watered, housed in a "coop" larger than nearly any human house, and were "encouraged" to develop faster than nature allows by a very simple expedient of manipulating the light in the coop. They darken the coop, and the chickens go to sleep; they light the coop, and the chicken eat. They repeat this cycle 3x a day, so the chicks eat 3x the feed they would normally eat.





Oh, but they ARE force fed an unatural diet.. corn and soy AINT what they were born to eat. They have been bred to grow at a pace twice what is normal and at 2 x the size. And they are housed in a space that allows ZERO movement. ANd they shit all over each other. And yes they are pumped full of chemical agents to counteract disease that occurs from this treatment.

Woops, PUMPED is the wrong word, it's part of that feed they get - the "natural" diet.

But hey- the TASTE is all that matters to most people!!!

P.

[Curt]

First, I haven't seen the movie the OP mentioned.

However, in relation to the quoted poster....

*Bullshit flag*

There are no hormones "pumped" into U.S. raised chicken. It's illegal. In fact, most "growers" don't use even antibiotics, just probiotics. My best friend lived, for a time, on a chicken farm in East Texas. The chickens were well fed, well watered, housed in a "coop" larger than nearly any human house, and were "encouraged" to develop faster than nature allows by a very simple expedient of manipulating the light in the coop. They darken the coop, and the chickens go to sleep; they light the coop, and the chicken eat. They repeat this cycle 3x a day, so the chicks eat 3x the feed they would normally eat.

These chickens are grown to maturity in weeks. They are too fat to support their own weight. They cannot stand.
That's a fact.
Before you put up the bullshit flag, you might want to watch the movie.

[scottlr]

I tried the Free-range chicken our local market sells. It was very good, but maybe 3 times the price of the regular chicken. Gordon, I'd assume if you buy directly from the farmer the prices are less? I am sure we have farms like that around here, but I don't know where to find them, and then I'd be going to 4-5 different farms to get stuff every week. The farmer's market is handy, but they are not much cheaper than the grocers for organic stuff.

Oddly, I grew up in a time when butcher shop meat was great, but at the same time, we ate a lot of processed stuff that was starting to get really popular.

IF I could afford it, I'd go organic. But food prices are so high as it is. I hear some of you saying food is cheap. You must be way younger than me. I recall a butcher selling really good bacon for $0.49 a pound. The same quality bacon, if you can find it here, is at least $5 a pound, while the store brand is normally around $3.

Eggs are around $1.77 for extra large regular store brand. If you get the free range chickens' eggs, they are at least $1 more a dozen.

[Jube2550]

I can't afford organic either. I have a great all natural grocery joint down the road but it cleans my wallet out for the few things I do purchase on occasion.

30 years ago one of my uncles had a farm (don't sing it) with live chickens. We did a organ and overall meat quality comparison of a packaged store bought chicken vs. one I watched him slaughter. Only then did I see what everyone here is speaking about. The organs looked different, the meat was not quite the same in taste, and we enjoyed the farm fresh one more. The packaged one wasn't horrible tasting it just made you think more about eating it. I still eat store bought chicken but that experience was an eye-opener.

[GovernorSilver]

I will someday drive down to that Virginia farm featured in the movie to buy their chicken and beef. I cut down a lot on my meat intake after watching the film - I'll still eat meat but try to avoid the "factory farm" stuff.

[Devi Ever]

Buy organic. Buy local.

Improves the quality of your life via health and by strengthening the local economy.

[Butterfly]

I saw that, I was a little shocked since my neighbor owns one of these chicken farms and is clearing over 5x that amount. Feed is provided by the contracted processing plant which saved a large amount of my neighbors overhead.

Still amazing how the feed can grow a chicken so fast. :tapedshut


It didn't make sense to me either. If that's the way the industry is structured, the growers need to get some power. And if that happens, I guess the price of chicken is going to go up significantly. I suppose that is the bottom line--"we" like our chickens yellow, plump and cheap.

[LHanson]

These chickens are grown to maturity in weeks. They are too fat to support their own weight. They cannot stand.
That's a fact.
Before you put up the bullshit flag, you might want to watch the movie.

I was commenting on the "hormone" claim that everybody seems to make. They don't give the chickens any hormones- it's illegal in the US to give poultry hormones.

I have seen a chicken farm. I have only seen one, so I don't know if it was typical of most farms. I was told it was typical of East Texas farms. The chickens weren't in a tiny cage or anything like that. They weren't so crowded that they were constantly in contact with the other birds. EDIT: I don't recall if the birds were "mature" when I saw them, but if they were too fat to stand, they wouldn't be able to eat or drink, so I don't think that was happening at this farm.

I'm not defending the industry at all. I'm simply reporting what I saw. I'll also add that I'm not currently eating meat, aside from fish. It seems like a good way to lose weight.

[jetydosa]

My wife works for one of the largest poultry growers in the US. She has toured many, many chicken farms has says they (at least her companys) are nothing like the ones depicted in these types of films.

[kludge]

IF I could afford it, I'd go organic.

There's a difference between "can't" and "won't". I'm sure you could afford to eat it, if you were willing to not spend money on other things. Most of us here aren't literally on the edge of starvation. We eat cheap food because we choose to eat cheap food, not because we're too poor for better food.

I'm guilty of it sometimes as well, although I'm trying to get better.

Most things in our lives are a matter of priority, but it's comforting to treat our low priorities as impossibilities, so we don't feel so guilty about not doing the things we should.

[Curt]

My wife works for one of the largest poultry growers in the US. She has toured many, many chicken farms has says they (at least her companys) are nothing like the ones depicted in these types of films.

If I worked for one of the largest poultry growers in the US, I'd say the same thing.............
Especially if I wanted to keep my job. :)

[jetydosa]

If I worked for one of the largest poultry growers in the US, I'd say the same thing.............
Especially if I wanted to keep my job. :)

She would not lie to ME about it, though.

[Ultron]

I call bullshit for a different reason.

Grossly obese kids has as much to do with lack of exercise, not enough time outside, too much tv/video-games/computer, poor diets and eating habits as it does with what's getting pumped into chicken.


HFCS is probably the biggest cause of this....people have no idea no bad that shit is for you, and it's in pretty much everything.

[jetydosa]

but would you lie about it to us?

that was meant to be humorous.

Maybe :D

[hellbender]

What did I read recently?

"It's difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

[mge80]

Gordon, I'd assume if you buy directly from the farmer the prices are less? I am sure we have farms like that around here, but I don't know where to find them, and then I'd be going to 4-5 different farms to get stuff every week. The farmer's market is handy, but they are not much cheaper than the grocers for organic stuff.


Scott. I buy a LOT directly from the farm. Which is why they sell to me at all. I get around 400 lbs at a whack, most of which honestly goes to feed the dogs. I get it all, from the good parts (mainly breast filets that we eat), to wings, necks, livers and then the carcass, that the dogs get. All in all, it comes to about $1.25/lb.

The beef and bison is obviously more expensive, but not a lot. Maybe just under $2/lb for ground, again in bulk. Typically 50# at a time.

The fruits and veggies come from whoever has what and when. This time of year, no one has anything...so what I have is frozen from the summer/fall. During late spring and summer, my immediate neighbor, has a tremendous garden, and he just drives up in his Gator and drops off whatever he has. In return, he grazes his cattle on some of my land. It's funny that I don't get my beef from him...but he "finishes" with corn...which most people around here prefer. The other stuff comes either from the lady I work with, but she only grows potatoes, onions, peas and carrots. Or, the farmers' market...where it is almost all Hmong farmers selling what they grow on their small farms.

I don't really know how the produce prices compare, because the alternative is either WalMart, where I couldn't imagine buying produce, or the one other local supermarket...where I would if I had no other choice. But, since I rarely have to, I don't go often enough to really comparison shop. This is a very small "community", and everyone either knows everyone, or knows someone who does. So, you need something, you just have to ask. Cost really doesn't factor into it. Often, people just barter other goods and/or services.

[Darklight]

I saw this last summer at the Maui Film Festival. The thing that concerned me most about it was how these huge food producers are buying off every level of Congress to pass laws to prevent consumer awareness regarding how our foods are produced and brought to market. I think there are already laws in a few states that make it illegal to even take photos at slaughter houses and factory farms. If what big Agri business does is so ethical, what are they trying to hide?

[seafoamer]

I recently I watched THIS Documentary (http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/genetically-modified-food/) on genetically modified foods, free online.

[nondeplume]

ah yes, "The Trilogy of WTF" as I call them, worth every minute of the family sit down.

King Corn http://www.kingcorn.net/
Food Inc
The Corporation. http://www.thecorporation.com/ (especially after last week).

see them all, see them now.

[fetishfrog]

If what big Agri business does is so ethical, what are they trying to hide?

Careful with this, it's a dangerous stance with a very slippery slope.

Just because people/businesses don't want to be photographed doesn't necessarily mean they have something to hide.

People tend to overreact to images of animals being slaughtered, even though they'll go out and eat a cheeseburger 15 minutes later without a care in the world.

That said, it's unfortunate that some big agri companies have and will likely continue to engage in ethically questionable behavior. I wish they wouldn't, but money can corrupt those who are weak willed.

[Spudman]

The food industry is in the business to sell food, lots of it, and make a lot of money. They don't care if it's healthy or not. They exist to make money. There is no incentive to make a healthier product until we demand it.

There is an organization that takes a different stance. It is called the Council For Responsible Nutrition. http://www.crnusa.org/ At least these guys are interested in quality.

[dividedsky]

food talk, like revenge, is a dish best served cold.

oh, and please remember to destroy your garnish.

Afraid I'm not following you here.

[SouthernShred]

I watched it...I'd already made some serious changes in my diet over the past few years but this really pushed it to a new level...

[imguitardan]

I just finally saw this. I work in a kitchen that does local, free range meat but this was still an eye opener in some respects. It should be required watching. Do it!

[Blindspot]

...This time of year, no one has anything...so what I have is frozen from the summer/fall. During late spring and summer, my immediate neighbor, has a tremendous garden, and he just drives up in his Gator and drops off whatever he has.

Why doncha just shoot n eat the gator? Tastes like chicken!:eeks :0 :)

[fugot]

you are what you eat and play.... all my money goes to quality food,


rule of thumb, you can eat as much junk food as you want,....as long as you make it yourself....... and another good rule...if you see the food avertised on TV, leave it alone-mostly only the corporate food companies (processed food with corn fructose syrup and wheat) can afford tv commercials)-use common sense here, but.....


slow down, cooking is cool, and actually meditative...like cleaning a guitar and giving her new strings.... there really isn't very far to go....

[hangten]

this is a good watch too - narrated by Sir Paul.

nDPKvfSuXYw

[James M]

I watched it...I'd already made some serious changes in my diet over the past few years but this really pushed it to a new level...

Me too....I've been a vegetarian since I watched it....going on a month now.

[loudboy]

Saw it on PBS two weeks ago.

We immediately went and found a local meat market which raises its' own beef/pork.

Same price as the supermarket, and it's amazing how much better it tastes.

[buddaman71]

I've meant to watch this, but still haven't.

I did, however, get into a heated argument today with one of my bosses over pasture fed cattle vs. factory farm cattle. I said the beef is more tender and all around just tastes better when they're allowed to live as nature intended. Happier cows make better beef.

He patronized me, mocked me, and laughed at me. I told him I hoped he was reincarnated as a milk cow on an industrial farm.

I grew up on a small, hormone-free, steroid free, grass fed free-range ranch. I GUARANTEE you that typical store beef tastes NOTHING like grass-fed free range beef.

It's like the difference between a fresh homemade cherry pie and a Hostess packaged abomination. Most people don't even know what real food tastes like anymore. It's sad.

[starfish]

What you should really be informed about is genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) and harmful chemical additives like aspartame, now known as AminoSweet.

An excellent resource:

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

[starfish]

Here is an award-winning documentary on Monsanto's unethical practices:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3OedIuaZto

The same could be easily said of the other agra giants - Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland.

[gomez1856]

My wife and I just watched it a couple weeks ago and loved it. I actually learned a lot from it.

The topic that resonated with me the most was the one of cattle being feed corn and the impacts of it. Summary: Cattle don't eat corn naturally. They are not designed to digest it. They are fed it by ranches because 1) it makes the fatter faster and 2) it's ridiculously cheap due to the massive subsidies of the corn farmers. That doesn't sound all bad until you hear about the fact that the strain of e-coli that has led to all the recent recalls came into existence in the bellies of these same cows because they can not properly digest the corn. It's a huge vicious circle that results in some extremely dangerous pathogens being passed into our food supply. Finally, the comment that "if all our cattle ranchers could feed their cows grass for 5 days, it would wipe out over 80% of e-coli" was just shocking.


Great documentary and one that I think everyone should watch so they can form their own educated decisions on what and where they eat.

Rick

[yomama]

I grew up on a small, hormone-free, steroid free, grass fed free-range ranch. I GUARANTEE you that typical store beef tastes NOTHING like grass-fed free range beef.

It's like the difference between a fresh homemade cherry pie and a Hostess packaged abomination. Most people don't even know what real food tastes like anymore. It's sad.


I lived in the NC mountains for a while... I totally agree. I wonder how many folks actually tasted a REAL streak!!

[Glowing Tubes]

Just saw it. It has changed my eating habits forever.

We do the 80/20 deal. Eat very well 80% of the time and do the best we can with what
we have the other 20% of the time.

All meat we purchase from now on will only be smaller ranch raised, grass fed beef.
Same with Chicken.
We will continue to demand higher quality naturally raised products, I hope some in the food industry will see this and change the way they produce our food.

[freedom's door]

Here is an award-winning documentary on Monsanto's unethical practices:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3OedIuaZto

Thanks for that. Easily one of the most vile entity's in history.

[davess23]

The real pity of it is that once you've had a chicken dinner featuring the real deal, it's hard to accept the flavor-poor fibrous crap that agribusiness calls "chicken".

The more I'm able to exclude the schemings and screwings of big business from my life, the happier I am.

[Elias Graves]

If you get the opportunity, rent "Food Inc.
It's truly an eye opener.
It's NOT about vegetarians vs meat eaters.
It's about what the massive food industry is doing to our food.
You'll never look at store bought chicken, steak, or tomato the same way.

5eKYyD14d_0

There are two sides to every story. This video (follow the money) only shows one.
I'm no fan of the food industry but neither am I a fan of propaganda.

EG

[James M]

There are two sides to every story. This video (follow the money) only shows one.
I'm no fan of the food industry but neither am I a fan of propaganda.

EG

Feel free to outline the other side of the story...it might make for interesting discussion. :)

[The Funk]

The real pity of it is that once you've had a chicken dinner featuring the real deal, it's hard to accept the flavor-poor fibrous crap that agribusiness calls "chicken".

The more I'm able to exclude the schemings and screwings of big business from my life, the happier I am.


Very true. I still remember when I first bought organic cage free eggs. I couldn't believe how much better they tasted. Just....cleaner.

Free range chicken is the same thing. Its DELICIOUS. We had some last week, and I swore off non-free range chicken right then and there.

We also get buffalo from a small farm. We try to only get grassfed beef, but that seems to be harder. We drink goat milk as well instead of cows milk and get that from a far too.

[yellowecho]

There are two sides to every story. This video (follow the money) only shows one.
I'm no fan of the food industry but neither am I a fan of propaganda.


watch the film and decide for yourself.
it's widely available- get back to us once you've seen it.