Did you know that McDonald’s is the largest purchaser of ground beef, potatoes, chicken, pork and apples in this country? So basically there are a hand full of companies that control our food system and the food they are producing may not be in our best interest.

Did you know that the United States Government doesn’t have the right to recall contaminated meat off the shelves; only a corporation can. Did you know there was a Bill (H.R. 3160) introduced to congress in 2005 called Kevin’s Law (after a child was killed by a contaminated hamburger)? Kevin’s mom has become an activist trying to pass a law that sets higher standards for food safety and gives the USDA the ability to shut down plants that are repeat offenders (it is unbelievable that the government can’t shut down these facilities instantly).

Did you know that there are Food Libel Laws making it illegal to talk bad about food (remember the beef lawsuit in Texas against Oprah)? These laws vary greatly from state to state, but they typically allow a food manufacturer or processor to sue a person or group who makes disparaging comments about their food products. In some states these laws also establish weaker standards of proof than are used in traditional American libel lawsuits.

It’s very telling that we are supposed to be a free nation, but we aren’t free enough to control our own food. Most of the foods that are bad for you are inexpensive and readily available at your local grocer. A typical family doesn’t realize the high price of these low cost foods to their health and our environment because it doesn’t show up at the check out line.

There has been a definite industrialization of food. It is no longer grown on farms but in massive factories; chickens are grown bigger and faster so that we can consume chicken nuggets; pigs are being…I am so upset about the pigs, I can’t express the horror they live through; the film Food Inc. tells the story so much better than I could in this post. The documentary also explains the controversy over corn and soy subsidies and our tax dollars and how 90% of the products in supermarkets contain corn. Maybe all that is golden isn’t necessarily good.  I refuse to blame my fat on anything other than my overeating and lack of exercise but…

“If you’re fat, it’s not your fault,” said Dr. Sears. “The problem lies with America’s continually subsidizing of corn and soybean production that has resulted an oversupply of cheap refined carbohydrates and cheap vegetable oils that when combined give rise to increased diet-induced inflammation. This inflammation activates the genes people in people who are genetically predisposed to gain weight with relative ease.”

…corn is not helping!

I first learned about documentary and the director Robert Kenner from listening to a podcast on my iPod for the PBS show NOW. Here is the link to the webpage and their interview.

So, what can we do? Here is a list of 10 Simple Things You Can Do to Change Our Food System.

Also, learn more about these issues and how you can take action on Takepart.com.

What have I done? Well, first of all I’m a vegetarian, bordering on vegan. Secondly, I buy organic as much as possible and I hope to soon start an organic garden of my own with the help of  an groOrganic garden which can be installed in backyards, health care facilities, senior housing, public parks, apartment complexes, condo complexes, and housing tracts. They can be customized to fit in any yard, courtyard, or even on a small apartment balcony. Thirdly, I recycle like crazy and I no longer drink bottled water (I have a reusable container) which as we know is clogging our landfills to no end. You can just do small things to make a difference, it’s not really that hard.

There is also a movement called Meatless Monday where you can go meatless for one day a week. I know everyone isn’t keen on becoming a vegetarian, but we can help our environment by giving up meat for one day. Going meatless this past Monday saved 17 million gallons of water; can you believe that, just one day and look at the benefit.

We’ve got to do more than talk a good game in this country, we can’t just be about watching celebrities glorify going green and saving our planet, we have to get off our asses and really do something.

As always, be well

CF