This week I went to see Food Inc., the Robert Kenner film which seeks to expose the dark side of the food industry in the United States. The movie depicts the inhumane treatment of poultry on chicken farms, the less-than-sanitary conditions at concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), the monopolies certain companies have on GMO crops and how farmers are often abused by the food industry. All in all, what you would expect of a movie with an agenda.

While I agree that movies of this nature are necessary to expose the wrongdoings of the food industry, I think the viewer should watch it with a critical eye. After all, this movie has a message of its own, one that clearly pushes for consumers to buy locally grown and organic foods. Although I agree that the consumer market is what drives the food industry to mass-produce food that is unhealthy and inhumane, and that buying foods which hold the food industry to higher standards of health will help to reform our food industry, there will always be a large part of the population which either cannot afford to or do not care to buy these kinds of foods. Thus, I think the ultimate responsibility to improve food conditions falls on the government. Food reform is much needed in this country. We need to stop subsidizing corn- and soy-based foods and improve nutrition education so that consumers are able to make the correct food choices. The movie did its part to demonstrate the need for political action in the United States by illustrating the power of the food industry lobby in Washington and by showing how difficult it is for food safety advocates to affect food policy.

Really, I think this movie served its purpose: Make consumers aware of where their food comes from and how they can do their part to make proper food choices. Sadly, I think food reform will take a back seat to the current economic problems and healthcare reform. Perhaps, in due time, policies will be implemented which improve the quality of food production in this country so that we can all afford to consume a healthy diet.