The documentary film, Food Inc., directed by Robert Kenner and released in 2009, takes a frightening look at the global food production business and the real, hidden costs of the foods we eat. The production of food has concentrated into the hands of a few multinational corporations, and their primary goal, as a business, is to make money. Their main goal is produce large quantities of food at a very low cost. As such, they often have little concern for the health and safety of the food, their employees, consumers, or the animals they use for their products, cutting corners to reduce overhead and provide cheap food. This movie shows that the old saying is true: You get what you pay for. The changes we make to the food production process have other negative consequences, as well. There is a global food crisis and our methods of food production and enormous levels of consumption simply are not sustainable.
This movie will make you think more about what you eat and how it got to your table (or to your car, given the popularity of Americans' love for convenient yet health-harming fast food). Keep in mind you vote with every dollar you spend at the grocery store, which is why it is so important to support local farmers if possible.
The voice in the intro is that of Michael Pollan, author of "In Defense of Food" and the WSU 2009 common reader, "The Omnivore's Dilemma".
Read the NY Times movie review for Food, Inc.at http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/movies/12food.html
