I Saw Food, Inc. Now What?

It's hard to see Food, Inc. and not be inspired. Okay, so most people might not be selling their house and quitting their office job to become full time farmers, but the movie certainly inspires people to change something in their lives. There's a lot of super simple but highly effective things you can do to transition off of a corn-based diet, lessen your carb(on) food/footprint, support local farmers and choose humanely raised meats. We are thrilled by the deluge of emails we've received from people across the country who are inspired by the film and want to make changes but are looking for some help.

Below is a list to some of the most commonly asked questions.

1. Where can I buy organic food? The Eat Well Guide is a handy resource which lists local farmers markets, farms, restaurants and Community Supported Agricultural programs in your area, all of which offer organic and sustainable foods.

2. Where can I buy sustainably raised meat? Eat Wild is a user-friendly resource with listings for grass-fed meat and dairy near you. Do you need some clarification on all of those confusing terms used to describe meat products, such pasture-raised, non-confined or natural? If so, Sustainable Table's wallet-sized glossary of meat production will help you better understand what these each mean.

3. What is the status of Kevin's law? Unfortunately, nothing right now. However, you can support the ongoing work of Barb Kowlacyk and her mom, Pat Buck, for safer food standards nationwide through their organization, Center for Foodborne Illness, Research and Prevention.

4. How can I get in touch with Michael Pollan? Yes, he's a hot commodity right now, but you can chat with him! There will be live-chat with him this Thursday at 3PM PST on Facebook. Click here for details.

5. I didn't see Food, Inc. When is it coming to my town? We're constantly adding new cities and theaters, but if yours isn't listed here, tell your local theater that you want to see it! And, stay tuned for the DVD release date.

Assuming these actions whet your appetite, don't forget to check out the official film site which offers lots of juicy resources. The 10 tips will help to jump start some lifestyle changes you can make now. Learn more about issues raised in the film, ranging from workers rights to genetic engineering and connect with organizations leading efforts to reform our industrial food system. The enthusiasm generated by Food, Inc. is evidence that it is helping to galvanize people across the country who are all committed to making sure we all have access to safe, healthy and sustainable foods.

Sarah's Social Action Snapshot originally appeared on Takepart.com

 

Follow Sarah Newman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahNow

Comments

[angry expat]

Thanks for this posting, it's very much needed!
Americans need to learn how to prepare and eat food.

1. Eat organic, responsibly farmed meats ONCE per week at most.
2. Eliminate all dairy products from your diet. Veal need cow milk, not humans!
3. Don't fry - instead pan-sear using canola or peanut oil, then season with raw olive oil before serving.
4. Aim to have dinner by 7pm and then switch to water or a soothing herbal tea.
5. Avoid quick-fix diets, aim for long-term change in daily habits.

[cucumber]

organic etc. animals still go through the same ho.rrific sla.ughterhouses as every other animal.

[kkdc]

In San Luis Obispo, CA we have local Farmer's Markets in several locations during the week. In our town we have Thursday nights, where the main street is cordoned off, and local organic ( and some not organic) fruits, nuts, eggs, vegetables, flowers, etc. are sold. Live entertainment and restaurant, and food concession booths, make it entertaining and social. We have another on Friday evenings in Avila Beach, where fish is also sold. Then another at a local shopping plaza on Saturday mornings; the list goes on, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, and towns in the North County as well. We are lucky to be a rural, agriculturally rich area. We have several ways to have boxes of organic vegetables delivered to our doorsteps, and there are several ways to get grass fed beef for those wanting to eat higher on the food chain. My recent favorite in helping inspire patients to learn how to cook tasty foods, with better nutritional content, and lower in calories, is the quarterly magazine "Fine Cooking" which you can get at the checkout stand of Vons, one of our local big grocery stores. It has some great uncomplicated seasonal recipes. So many people I talk to don't know how to prepare food, and don't know how or why to cook for themselves and their families. We have a local grocery store, New Frontiers that carries organic fruits and veggies.

[RMankovitz]

Here is my wish list for sequels to "Food, Inc."

Next should be "Corn, Inc.", which has actually been tackled in part with the DVDs "The World According to Monsanto", and "King Korn". I don't eat corn.

Follow that with Soy, Inc. If soy lovers actually knew how soy milk, tofu burgers, and similar Frankenfoods were made in chemical factories, they would be horrified. For those that can't wait for the movie, read "The Whole Soy Story" by Kaayla Daniel. I have yet to meet a client that has read this book and continued to eat soy. I don't eat soy.

Follow that with Plants, Inc. The idea is to educate plant eaters as to which plants and which parts of plants nature intended predators such as humans to eat, and which she intended us not to eat. It would also cover the unsustainability of planting annual monocrops such as grains. Finally, it would educate the public on the sentient nature of plants. For those who can't wait for the movie, here are some references: "The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith, "Against the Grain" by Richard Manning, "Plows, Plagues and Petroleum" by William Ruddiman, "the Original Diet - The Omnivore's Solution", by me, "The Lost Language of Plants" by Stephen Buhner and "The Secret Life of Plants" by Tompkins and Bird (film version available on YouTube). I am very careful about which portions of plants I eat.

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[roseau]

For someone who saw this movie, had an 'aha moment', but was not already a foodie or environmentalist I would make some simpler suggestions. Go about your regular routine with a little bit more awareness. If you grocery shop, look for local and organic products. If you eat out, see if your favorite places are using local and organic. Start to ask questions, look for opportunities. Pick up a foodie magazine like Saveur or bon Appetit. Take small steps to raise your awareness and learn all the time. Lasting change is gradual, and when it involves food...enjoyable!

[Sarah Newman - Huffpost Blogger]

great suggestions! we've gotten tons of requests though for where to find organic foods, grass fed meat, etc. there's so much that we can all do to change our habits-both big and small!