Food Inc.

In class, we watched Food Inc.  This movie really opened my eyes on food production and food in general.  In Food Inc., it stated that many urban shoppers are not aware of the food they are eating.  They ignore questions that relate to the cost and quality of the food; for example, where are the farms located? How pure or clean is it, how free of dangerous chemicals? How far was this food transported?  When the food has been manufactured or processed, how has that affected its quality or price or nutritional value?  Etc.  Many people overlook these questions that they should be curious about because they are consuming foods without any background information on these foods.  As well, I learned that most of the animals that we eat today take part on a diet of corn.  For some animals, corn isn’t part of their natural diet.  People feed these animals corn because it’s the cheapest thing you can feed any animal and they get the animal fatter quicker than let’s say a grass diet.  Cattle’s natural diet is grass, not corn.  So when they are fed corn their digestive system becomes weaker, now farmers are giving them antibiotics to prevent off infections and illnesses.  This is quite remarkable to me that big food companies will do anything they can to make more product, which will bring in more profit for them.  All they want is money.  This movie also stated to buy from companies that treat workers, animals, and the environment with respect. In addition, when attending the market, choose foods that are in season, buy foods that are organic, know what is in your food that you are consuming, and read labels.  It suggests to buy foods that are locally grown, shop at farmers markets, plant a garden, and cook and eat a meal with your family. Personally, I only do a couple of these things.  After watching this movie, I am determined to do more of these things that the movie suggested.  In the end, I enjoyed watching Food Inc. because it made me realize and understand the food industry better than before.