The Future of Food...

Milliechel67

DH and I watched half of it on hulu last night and I am so disturbed.  Has anyone else watched it?  Any thoughts?  If you haven't watched it, please do!  I want to talk about it!

munkii

I watched it last year.  If you haven't seen it yet, I also recommend Food, Inc. 

Here's a potpurri of my thoughts: It's maddening that big agribusiness controls legislature to the extent it does.  Monsanto is evil.  It sounds childish to word it that way, but is there a better way to put it?  On what planet or in what universe is it acceptable to patent genetic codes?  I was hoping the BRAC analysis decision made a couple months ago would have more impact on other genetic law issues, but I haven't heard or seen much.  It bothers me that because people refuse to educate themselves on where food comes from, big corps will continue to take over farming communities and dictate legislation.

Milliechel67

munkii:

I watched it last year.  If you haven't seen it yet, I also recommend Food, Inc. 

Here's a potpurri of my thoughts: It's maddening that big agribusiness controls legislature to the extent it does.  Monsanto is evil.  It sounds childish to word it that way, but is there a better way to put it?  On what planet or in what universe is it acceptable to patent genetic codes?  I was hoping the BRAC analysis decision made a couple months ago would have more impact on other genetic law issues, but I haven't heard or seen much.  It bothers me that because people refuse to educate themselves on where food comes from, big corps will continue to take over farming communities and dictate legislation.

Food, Inc!  That's actually what we were looking for last night but couldn't remember the name and ended up finding this one. 

I can't think of anything better to say about Monsanto -- but I'm sure they'll be in our school books in 100 years (hopefully showing the wackness... although I'm afraid otherwise).

I am BLOWN AWAY by the patenting issue.  I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that someone would allow that.  It makes me want to go and shake someone.  Hard.

Munkii -- anything you've done as a result of watching it?  I'm trying to decide what steps are called for now that I have some information on the subject.

munkii

Milliechel67:

munkii:

I watched it last year.  If you haven't seen it yet, I also recommend Food, Inc. 

Here's a potpurri of my thoughts: It's maddening that big agribusiness controls legislature to the extent it does.  Monsanto is evil.  It sounds childish to word it that way, but is there a better way to put it?  On what planet or in what universe is it acceptable to patent genetic codes?  I was hoping the BRAC analysis decision made a couple months ago would have more impact on other genetic law issues, but I haven't heard or seen much.  It bothers me that because people refuse to educate themselves on where food comes from, big corps will continue to take over farming communities and dictate legislation.

Food, Inc!  That's actually what we were looking for last night but couldn't remember the name and ended up finding this one. 

I can't think of anything better to say about Monsanto -- but I'm sure they'll be in our school books in 100 years (hopefully showing the wackness... although I'm afraid otherwise).

I am BLOWN AWAY by the patenting issue.  I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that someone would allow that.  It makes me want to go and shake someone.  Hard.

Munkii -- anything you've done as a result of watching it?  I'm trying to decide what steps are called for now that I have some information on the subject.

I wish I could say changes have been made as a result, but I can't.  We're growing some of our own produce this year--what we don't grow my parents can always give us since they always plant.  I wish there were a way to help local farmers since I live in the cornbelt, but I'm at a complete loss as to what I could do other than educate others as much as they'll let me. 

The one thing I worry about is when will Monsanto start attacking and starting litigating against home farmers: those who grow purely for self-reliance and sustainability.  I can just imagine their argument would be, "The defendant did not purchase and plant Monsanto seeds, but Monsanto seeds, due to the course of nature, cross-pollinated with the seeds the defendant planted.  Because of this, the defendant indirectly stole Monsanto seeds and is causing a substantial loss of profit to Monsanto!"

What changes do you plan to make?

Milliechel67

munkii:

The one thing I worry about is when will Monsanto start attacking and starting litigating against home farmers: those who grow purely for self-reliance and sustainability.  I can just imagine their argument would be, "The defendant did not purchase and plant Monsanto seeds, but Monsanto seeds, due to the course of nature, cross-pollinated with the seeds the defendant planted.  Because of this, the defendant indirectly stole Monsanto seeds and is causing a substantial loss of profit to Monsanto!"

What changes do you plan to make?

I was wondering the same thing! 

DH and I haven't really talked about changes yet but I'm sure we will after we finish watching it (we both had to make ourselves stop watching and go to sleep last night because it was so late).  I know try to watch the seeds/plants we buy from now on.  I'd also like to try to find the producers that Monsanto bought out and try to avoid brands that are associated with them (althought I know that's going to be tough).  It's such a big issue that it's honestly overwhelming to me.

KatieintheCity

I will have to watch it! We've seen Food, Inc. and read all of Michael Pollan's books (if you haven't read them, I highly recommend - start with Omnivore's Dilemma!)

Our eating habits have actually gotten a LOT better as a result. We cook at home much more often and buy organic/whole foods where our budget allows. When we compare items in the grocery store, we actually go by how long the ingredient list on the back is - and definitely try to stay away from artificial sweeteners, especially HFCS. We were so repulsed by what we learned from the books/movie, it wasn't even up for discussion, we just kind of automatically started doing it.

On the subject of Monsanto (shudder), I listen almost exclusively to NPR and it really steams me up that Monsanto is one of their patrons, and even more that the little announcement about them talks about how they're the future of healthy food, yadda yadda yadda. I love NPR and I know they need funds, but that just really makes me wonder about their organizational ethics.

Milliechel67

KatieintheCity:

I will have to watch it! We've seen Food, Inc. and read all of Michael Pollan's books (if you haven't read them, I highly recommend - start with Omnivore's Dilemma!)

Our eating habits have actually gotten a LOT better as a result. We cook at home much more often and buy organic/whole foods where our budget allows. When we compare items in the grocery store, we actually go by how long the ingredient list on the back is - and definitely try to stay away from artificial sweeteners, especially HFCS. We were so repulsed by what we learned from the books/movie, it wasn't even up for discussion, we just kind of automatically started doing it.

On the subject of Monsanto (shudder), I listen almost exclusively to NPR and it really steams me up that Monsanto is one of their patrons, and even more that the little announcement about them talks about how they're the future of healthy food, yadda yadda yadda. I love NPR and I know they need funds, but that just really makes me wonder about their organizational ethics.

My reading time is so limited but I will tell DH about the books!  He reads a ton.  Our eating and purchaing habits are pretty good already but I'm sure this will instigate some new steps. 

 Ew.  I listen to NPR occasionally... definitely makes me wonder too...

munkii

KatieintheCity:

On the subject of Monsanto (shudder), I listen almost exclusively to NPR and it really steams me up that Monsanto is one of their patrons, and even more that the little announcement about them talks about how they're the future of healthy food, yadda yadda yadda. I love NPR and I know they need funds, but that just really makes me wonder about their organizational ethics.

It's terrible!  Everytime I hear Monsanto has underwritten a portion of the show, I just turn it off.  Turn it off!