Academy Award nominated "Food Inc." documents America's capitalistic consumerism and the resulting consequences to our environment and food nutrition. Previous to watching this film I had some understanding about the food business. We have all been made aware animal cruelty exists and the fight to stop this violence, stories of large companies suppressing the small business, and other issues. This film highlights these problems and more. "Food Inc." unveils the underbelly of the corporate American food industry and the environmental injustices they practice. The average supermarket holds 47,000 different products presenting them as though they all come from some "pastoral fantasy". The supermarket has no seasons. One can get plump, red tomatoes year around. "Food Inc." rips away the superficial coating companies want us to see and dives deep into the actual inner workings of food production.
"Companies don't want farmers talking. They don't want this story told.", a quote taken from the film. Carole Morison, a Perdue Grower, was one to tell her story. She says, "This isn't farming. It's mass production like an assembly line in a factory." Morison was a chicken farmer disgusted with Perdue for leaving her in perpetual debt. She goes on to explain how companies lend small time farmers money to start small businesses. All is going well until these corporations come back demanding upgrades, new equipment, costing these farmers more money, leaving them in debt for as long as the Big Man want them there. It is degrading, "Like being a slave to the company" - Morison.
Smithfield Hog Processing Plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina is the worlds largest slaughterhouse in the world. It is located in an economically depressed area, discriminating and targeting a lesser community. This is a prime example of structural violence that in the end, will result in historical trauma. The slaughterhouse has mastered the art of picking a work force they can exploit. They hire a local work force of poor white and black individuals and bus them from their homes to the plant. Smithfield has the same mentality towards the works as they do the hog. Employees get diseases because of proximity to the dead animals, are treated as human machines, and the company isn't worried about the longevity of the worker because everything is going to end at some point. People can't afford to leave the company and know this. It is a perpetual cycle of oppression and "company slavery".
Large companies like Tyson need laborers and they get cheap work from illegal immigrants. Majority used to be African American, but there has been a shift to Latino undocumented workers. These people feel they have no rights, so they aren't going to complain. The "perfect" worker. These companies and the government have an understanding so production is unaffected. Every week law officials get to arrest x amount of individuals and they call it even. Workers are being arrested, not managers/companies who had their hand in the hiring. Corruption behind every chicken and every banana bought. If the government is already in cahoots with these unjust corporations who will put an end to the injustice?
"Food Inc." goes on to say "You can change this system. Three times a day. Buy from companies that treat workers, animals, environment, with respect. Buy foods that are grown locally. Shop at farmers' markets. Plant a garden. (even a small one)". This film is worth sparing two hours to watch. You can check out http://www.takepart.com/foodinc for more information about the movie and ways to help the cause.
Great post Sarah!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I have a critique for the potential 'solutions' for this food crisis. You go on to quote that the video mentions buying from companies that treat their workers, animals and environment right, buying locally grown foods, shopping at farmer's markets and even planting your own garden. Yet, I consider low income marginalized communities that lack the education to go out there and do their own research as to companies whom they should avoid buying from. To address the low income issue, produce at a farmer's market is expensive compared to your local large food store. Which would you go for if on a limited budget and needing to feed X amount of family members?
I love the fact that films such as this one bring out the food issue out into the open. Yet, I argue more feasible solutions are needed, especially for those that have unequal access to food sources deemed by this film as better and more appropriate for our bodies and for the environment.
Jose what you bring up is a very valid point. When you watch the movie a family is interviewed who feels the same way you do. They do not have the money to buy fresh produce. The family wants to live such a lifestyle, but can't afford to. Instead they go for the $1 cheeseburger.
ReplyDeleteI agree, more feasible solutions are needed. Why should a head of lettuce be 100% more expensive than a cheeseburger? That's where we need to start making changes.