HW 10 - Food, Inc. Response

Précis: Food Inc. investigated the food industry’s harmful effects on our health and environment. The director, Robert Kenner focused on the discrimination and repression of men and women who are working for the meatpacking and fast food industries as well as the farmers. The movie also highlighted the need of reform in industry due to its widespread monopolies, problematic interpretations of laws and subsidies. There was also large focus on the political corruption between the government officials and the fast food executives.

The movie was able to offer a better sense of tone and emotion then Fast Food Nation provided. A good example of this is during the movie when Kevin’s mother was discussing the death of her son, and they had the mini montage, although I don’t think it was exactly necessary it definitely made me feel heartbroken and helpless that the child was so innocent and was killed by something that could have been avoided. I don’t think that Fast Food Nation did a very good job of making the reader feel helpless and regretful for not taking action with in the food industry sooner. But Fast Food Nation was better able to convey social concepts such as the fallacy of composition, the tactics used by the fast food industries to make more of a profit and the idea that if the consumers demand healthier food or better safety standards the industries will provide them with their desires.

I think it’s important for the public to be informed little by little about where their food really comes from and who is producing it and what will happen to society, the environment, Americans health, and the economy if things don’t change. Its important that all this information isn’t thrown at the public because it will surely be way to overwhelming and it will create fear, instead more campaigns should be constructed to have posters on the subway and at bus stops that give facts about how what we (as a country) eats is harmful. It’s going to be difficult because the first steps will require essentially giving up fast food, non-organic meats and produce in order to send the message to the industries. But once the public’s needs are heard I believe things will change. This summer McDonalds released a smoothie promotion which contains on average about 330 calories which is very similar to the calorie count of the high class Jamba Juice. I feel awakened to now know how my food affects so many other people I am only going to buy organic meats, and I plan on telling my friends the effect that their hamburger has on not only them selves but also the rest of the country.