The Secret Ingredient

I watched a documentary last nite. And was disturbed by what happens to my food,  "farm to fork. "

(Let me start out by saying that my blog does not reflect my company's opinion or voice. It is just my opinion and thoughts.)

Have you seen Food, Inc.? Well, you should.

What I expected to be a nasty expose' of kitchen food preparation similar to a Dateline story was on a higher level. Through a flowing, yet compartmentalized piece of key issues, the work surveys veggies from the farm to produce bin and livestock from hen house to bunker. It includes the food and those who eat it. And work on it. Before they eat it. No, we're not talking in the kitchen. Or maybe we are.

You may be mildly aware of the food processing process but may not have thought about it. I know I'm guilty of that. Some points to consider when you sniff that milk to see if you can drink it one more day.

• Fruits and veggies out of season got here somehow. What does it take to get them to your table in the middle of winter? Does that apple seem bigger to you?
  
  
• Washing your food only does so much to remove dirt and more. What about the chemicals inside that "protected" it from bugs or sped the growth process along? It doesn't go anywhere.  
  
  
• How many products do you have that contain preservatives? Do you know the basic names of common preservatives? Consider what they do. Extend shelf life. Raise boiling points. Lower freezing points. Might be good until you consider those preservatives also do not go anywhere. And yep. Don't break down.
  
  
• Corn is in everything. Even cows. Who don't eat it. Or at least, when left to their own devices with the exception of Little Boy Blue taking a union break, don't typically hang out in corn fields. Why are we feeding animals things they don't eat? How does that affect them and, down the line, us?
  
  
• Did your cow, pig or chicken get to run around before they gave up their life for your table? Why is this important? 
  
  
• How do you suppose the dollar menu got to be a dollar? Why does a dollar grease burger costs more than carrots?  Why should eating better mean spending more?
  
  
• Are regulations regulating anything or are they looking the other way toward said almighty dollar? 
  

And that is just the food aspect of things. Can you imagine that similar issues bleed over to those who handle the food? The film even explores this. And why not go a step further with all things manufactured? We may think we're helping out farmers but put yourself in their shoes. When they answer to the company that buys from them, they have no freedom (when under contract.) Or income. Do it or consider going out of business. The roles change but the result is the same for communities and workers who go to the factory job. No one benefits. No one can get anywhere. 

And to think this is America. Land of the free. Home of the brave. And exploited.

When discussing this documentary with the sister, I determined no matter what object or objects are in your house, dishonesty got it there in some form or fashion. Not telling the whole truth keeps many businesses going. Even thriving. And monopolizing. The business of business is all business. And life seems to be left out of that equation.

What can we do?

Vote with our feet. And dollars. Find local farmers. Buy directly from them! Go to farmers markets. Choose foods that are not preserved with salt or high fructose (sugar) corn syrup. Knowledge is power. Power to move those dollars and make a statement. A statement big enough to change product offerings at major retailers.


I still have a lot of research left to do and some decisions to make. If any of you have advice on how you did this, please share.

>;)