Which film did u choose to watch and why?
I chose the film Food Inc. for this assignment. My decision to use the film for the assignment was based on the fact that I had watched it before and was highly influenced by it. Additionally, I found it very relevant for the assignment.
What did you learn most from the film?
The film is among the most perspective-altering documentaries ever produced. It exposes how agricultural production has been revolutionized from small family farms to big agribusinesses with dire consequences to consumers. I learned many valuable lessons from the film. The most important and shocking lesson I learned from the film is that food is a political issue in our country. Policymakers and those who are meant to protect us do not protect us. Instead, they work in collusion with the owners of the agribusinesses. I have also learned that all is not lost. We can correct our mistake my boycotting unhealthy products and promoting those produced naturally.
Have you been influenced by the film to change the way you act as a customer? Why?
The film has influenced my consumption pattern greatly. I have relied on quality assurance labels on products as a means of approving their safety before purchasing for many years. However, after watching the film, I have come to realize that those standards are not genuine. The stringency that once characterized regulations and inspections has been eroded and agricultural products that are below acceptable quality reach shelves. As such, I have made it my responsibility to buy products from small scale farmers but not those of big brands. I have decided to boycott products of companies involved in poor agricultural practices since only diminishing demand for their products can change the situation.
Describe three areas that were most influential to you
Area 1
I was influenced greatly by the power the film gives to consumers like me in the end. It shows us that despite the conspiracies surrounding agribusiness in the country, we can still make a difference by boycotting products disguised as low-cost products in the market because they are unhealthy for human consumption.
Area 2
I was also influenced by the link between many emerging diseases and the unhealthy agricultural products produced by the big agribusinesses. The film claims that new products such as tomatoes with very long shelf lives, chicken that matures in days, and indestructible soybeans have led to increased cases of E. coli bacteria that are responsible for over 73,000 cases of sickness in the country annually sometimes leading to death and widespread obesity. Unlike in the earlier days when obesity was considered a condition for adults, even children are victims currently due to these unhealthy products.
Area 3
Joel Salatin’s case influenced me a lot. He is involved in sustainable farming and raises various animals such as pigs, cows, and chicken. Salatin does not rely on the methods and processes employed by the big farms. Instead, he uses traditional or natural methods of farming on his farm. Interestingly, we also see him succeeding with his eco-friendly approach to the business thereby convincing us that sustainable farming is also viable. This episode made me know that if we buy from farmers involved in sustainable agriculture, they can do well and we will be safe because it is possible and viable.