If you didn't read "Omnivore's Dilemma" or "In Defense of Food" then go read them. For the weak of stomach, the producers of this film put almost no visuals of animal abuse that is inherent in the food industry. They do spend lots of time on the death of one child (from an e-coli laced burger). My feeling is that the life of millions of factory farmed animals deserved more time but I know they have to make the film somewhat palatable or people won't see it. There are lots of people who get all misty about a human death, as they should, but don't even think about the hundreds of thousands of animals we torture and kill every day. If you want to really know what goes on in the "farms" of the meat industry you can always see footage on Peta's website. I Double Dare you to watch even one video of the kill floor of a slaughterhouse ( now called processing plants) that makes your McDonald's burger. If you can make it through that and still eat meat then have at it. I could not.
Anyway, the part of the film that is very interesting is the audience reaction when a real farmer actually slaughters his own chickens and then prepares them for sale. This is the owner of Poly Face Farms featured prominently in the second book of Michael Pollan's last book "In Defense of Food". It always amazes me that the same people who eat animals won't watch them being killed much less do it themselves. Anyway, this guy is doing farming and slaughtering the right way and by that I mean he grows all of the food and raises the animals who consume it without confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's). Hey, if your going to eat animals, and most people do, this is how it should be done. Meet your meat as they say.
Wanna save a buck? Go to Four Star Video on Cortland and rent "We Feed the World " Same message only global.
Which brings me to my next rant...er post.
Check out the 350 project. It's all about how and why we should be spending what dollars we have at small independent shops instead of big chains. If you know me at all, you know how I loathe big businesses such as Walmart, Home Depot and Blockbuster Video. Classic examples of how big stores ruin small business and kill the joy of city living. Yeah, it is cheaper at those stores but the price is just too high in terms of the effects they have on other businesses. Besides, just try to get an actual person to help you at Lowe's or Home Depot. My fave in the city for hardware is Cole Hardware at Mission and 29th st.
My other favorite alternative to the souless Safeway and the overpriced wanna be eco-friendly Whole Foods is the Alemany Produce market. Way cheaper than the Ferry Bldg and almost totally organic. Be sure to look for Bruce from Hooverville Orchards. If you call him by Wednesday and order a pie, he will have it by the Saturday. His family makes simply the best pie I have ever eaten. All his own fruit naturally and not too sweet.
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