April 27, 2010

The Future of Food


Watch the movie by clicking here.

I recently watched this documentary and it was quite an eye opener. This fascinating film has actually been around for a few years but if you have not seen it I would highly recommend watching it; especially if you are concerned about the unlabeled, genetically modified (GM) foods your family is probably eating. You can watch the entire film on Hulu by clicking on the link above. The first ten minutes move a little slow in this film but stick with it because it does get better, and more disturbing as well.

You will learn how huge corporations like Monsanto are increasing their control over our food supply, raking in profits from consumers while keeping a controlling boot on the throats of farmers with patent laws and threats of lawsuits. Many of these farmers like Percy Schmeiser claim their crops were contaminated with Monsanto's GM seeds through no fault of their own. That is part of the concern with GM crops, nature does what it has always done and those seeds get spread by birds, wind or other natural means to non-GM crops. This is one of the many problems with putting a patent on plants and animals... on life. The result is farmers get sued and we lose more and more of the genetic diversity of our food.

So what is wrong with that, you may ask. Well this educational film gives some compelling answers to that question. For one thing, not only do we not fully understand the possible or maybe even probable health consequences of GM foods but they are not even labeled to begin with so consumers can make their own choices about whether or not they want to feed them to their families.

So what can you do? First educate yourself on this important issue. Take the time to watch The Future of Food or do some research online. This is something that will affect every single one of us. The second and most important thing you can do is to support your local farmers. Visit a farmer's market in your area. Not only will you find flavorful, healthy, non-GM food for your family but when you buy locally produced food, you will be voting with your wallet that you do care about small farmers and your family's health. You can make a difference!

16 comments:

Jenny said...

We just watched Food, Inc. this evening and was that ever interesting! I'd heard the name Monsanto before, but didn't know anything about them until watching the movie. Pretty despicable. My husband was surprised to realize that labeling gmo foods isn't required here as it is in England, his country of origin. I've added this movie to my Netflix queue now also. Thanks for recommending it.
~Jenny~

Kelly Cook said...

We watched Future of Food a while back and were disturbed by the whole thing. We recently watched Food, Inc and again-very disturbing information. We have another that we haven't watched yet called Food Matters. Who was/were the nutjob/s that approved a patent on life?? That can't end well!

sunset pines farm said...

WE watched Food Inc last week-it reinforced what we arleady knew and it encouraged us to keep doing what we do with our little piece of this earth.
I also ordered In Defence of Food, which arrived last night. Can't wait to read it this weekend-it came to me with great reviews from friends.

Anonymous said...

I'll watch it later!

Amy

Anonymous said...

I will find time to watch the film. We also watched Dirt, which was very interesting. And my sister just recommended a book "Grub" to me, which I have to start soon.
This will be an eye opening spring.

Alison said...

I worship in the Church of Michael Pollan, lol. I'm half-afraid to watch these movies, because I keep hoping the situation's getting better. After all, aren't more people becoming aware of how unfood-like our food is? Sadly, we still have a long way to go.

At least, as Polly said, I know I'm doing what I can with my own little quarter acre (and wallet).

Girl Tornado said...

Bravo Jennifer! What an informative post. I'll have to watch that video this weekend. I've been researching local venues lately, and I've found a farm in Udall that I want to visit soon, and I just found a berry farm today that I'm planning on visiting mid-May to pick our own strawberries and make plenty of jam, my second time around.... the first time I only made 6 jam jars worth, and boy oh boy, I finished off 2 jars so fast all on my own, and the other 4 went to family and a blog contest!!

We've dug our first garden, have yet to plant, but we're really looking forward to having some of our OWN food. :)

Girl Tornado said...

Ok. I lied. I'm watching it right now. I'm indignant and furious. So U.S. corporations were finally allowed to patent GM seeds, BUT they started going into the seed banks and looking for seeds that were not GM and patenting them, just because no one else had patented them before (because they weren't allowed, of course).... I'm LIVID!!! So wrong!!!!

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Ummie said...

Good information to people like me who always get readied muttons from freezers without taking any heeds what the animals was fed while alive.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post. Looks like, the food standards everywhere is dropping badly.
BTW, is Junk food included? LOL

I will watch that video sometime soon. I am your newest follower! Have an awesome day...:)

Anne-Marie said...

Yikes! I will definitely have to watch this. It sounds similar to Food Inc., which was scary to watch too!

Anne-Marie said...

Yikes! I will definitely have to watch that! It sounds similar to Food Inc., which was scary to watch too!

Callie Brady said...

I buy organic whenever I can find it and hate what is happening with the GM foods. Thank you!

Nancy M. said...

That is just so wrong! I hadn't seen that one!

I tagged your for a photo tag on my blog if you'd like to participate.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I watched the video. Very disturbing!
Who are they to put a price on life and the future of our county?!
Honestly, we would be amazed at how much our lives are controlled in other ways too.
What will they do when the human race begins to die off?!
Thanks for posting this!!