Food Inc. on CBC. Did anyone see it? What did you think?

[parsley]

If you really want to know, I thought the film was bad PR for all of agriculture.

If I was a buyer from New Zealand, it wouldn't make me rush to the order phone to dial North America.

Pars

[grassfarmer]

Exactly Parsley - saw it a while ago but already knew about it by the increase in demand for our grass-fed beef. The consumer votes with their shopping cart. Most telling thing in this thread is that some farmers hadn't watched it until now - way behind the consumers.

[fjlip]

13 plants but only 4 major beef processors controlling 75% in the US? Can this get down to ONE in the future?
Too much control in too few corporations with profit the only motive.
No regard for health or nutrition or consequences of processing.
Animals in close concentrations breed disease and cause issues in processing.
Our families butchered grass fed cattle, out side raised pigs and chickens, outdoors with the flies for years, still cleaner than the massive slaughter plants.
Why is the consumer NOT allowed to see the processing of our food?
Lots to hide perhaps? Scary bloody disgusting, would turn consumers off?
Big money dictating government regulation.
They suggested CHEAP corn as the root cause of many issues in our food supply. Number one is high fructose corn syrup.
It costs more to eat properly.
Cheap food = poorer food = health consequences.
Farmer a victim as much as consumer.
Sad if true, very hard to undo.

[freewheat]

I forgot about the loser family on there who had to eat fast food cuz they couldn't afford real food. What planet do they fly to to shop at? My wife had some guffaws at this point of the show, and it takes alot for her to guffaw, let me tell you.

It was a small portion of there is a better way to do things, with a huge dose of left wing whining, and cbc rhetoric. When has the cbc ever carried/had a good documentary? It is about as frequent as a good idea from Jack Layton.

[fjlip]

Perhaps a matter of spending priorities, but food banks are booming even here, the most prosperous place on the planet. We are eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, yes it does cost more, but most have a choice. Best line I've seen, "your food should NOT have a bar code".

[grassfarmer]

fjlip, "13 plants but only 4 major beef processors controlling 75% in the US? Can this get down to ONE in the future?"
You think these figures are bad in the US? Canada has close to 90% of their kill handled by 2 processors in 3 major plants.
The low point for me was during the labor dispute at the then Tyson owned Brooks plant. One of the complaints was that the workers could not leave the production line for "unscheduled" bathroom breaks. There were guys literally crapping in their pants because management wouldn't allow them to go to the bathroom. Poorly paid Sudanese immigrant labor, crapping in their pants and at the same time preparing beef for human consumption in Canada in the 21st century - does anyone wonder why the consumer has some concerns?

[ALLFARMER]

no doubt grassfarmer. Slave labour in Canada

[burnt]

We raise a few White Rock meat birds to sell every year and have them processed at a small, gov't inspected plant.

It is a normal, modern place but I hate taking them there and would hate to have cameras shooting pics to show to my customers.

However, I would also hate to have anyone see us butchering the few that we keep for our own consumption.

Not because of our facilities, or lack of, but because there are parts of food production that just simply are not very nice, no matter how good and modern the methods.

Grassfarmer, you are rightfully proud of your product, but would you be proud to have your customers watch the slaughter and butchering of that grass-fed beef?

The problem is that the consumer is so far removed from the production of their food that they have absolutely no concept or frame of reference for what it takes to get their meals from our fields to their plates.

Thus, while a production like "Food Inc." may contain some valid concerns, in the end it is totally unfair in its portrayal of farmers and farming.

I hope its producers become acquainted with the clarifying and precise education that results from an empty stomach.

[Happytrails]

fjlip...don't think there is much chance of that (no bar code). Heck, our rulers demand that we barcode our cattle way B4 they are food.

Seriously, the radically upside down food chain we have evolved into is presenting challenges. The urban masses ignorance of the provenance of their food is a big one. Videos like Food Inc at least show interest in how they are fed. They have got to become interested in food or they will starve IMHO. HT

[Burbert]

Thought provoking, disgusting at times. Good fer the public to see the crap that is going on in gag and the results, sick and dying people. Makes me want ta squash the next cow guy that I meet! Treating beef and hogs the way they do.....

[fjlip]

Forgot about the tags. If not starve, die fat and wealthy from a cheap nutrition deficient over processed fructose laden food supply. Knowledge is power, vote with your wallet. I like the line "grow a garden".

[tman]

I'm in my mid 30's and grew up on a conventional pig, 80 some cow-calf and roughly 900 acre grain, pulse and oilseed farm. Over the past ten years, I've spent winters working in five feedlots across western Canada and US and two ranches in southern US states.

My dad nailed a metal sign on the door to the pig barn many years ago, which is still there today, that says in red, capital letters, "POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE". I don't know the purpose of it. It was built in the '70's so I don't know how he can use the health card. I thought of this when I saw Joel Salatin butchering his chickens. Funny how he's willing to show that and his farm but other farmers and companies refuse any cameras, interviews or visits. If I ever become fortunate to farm myself, I'd want my customers and the public to see how things are done (and done properly) so they become educated.

Sure, seeing an animal get butchered or die in any manner can be shocking and hard to swallow, but that's life. Not enough people accept death and accept that the world, even at the best of times can be a real bitch. Just like I don't agree with when news is edited due to graphic and disturbing nature. But again, THAT'S LIFE.

Just like my friends who hunt, they feel remorse as do I when we kill an animal for food, but we also have respect for the animal and we do everything possible to minimize pain, stress and suffering. Generally, people feel remorse and feel sorry for prey animals as they are being chased by predators on nature shows or real life. But I've never heard of any feelings towards the predator cats or dogs as they go hungry after not catching their prey. So is one animal entitled to suffering but not the other?

From my experiences and understanding of agriculture, I honestly think that the American made Food Inc and the Canadian made Frankensteer are quite accurate. Are they one sided? Well everyone has their opinions and biases to some degree at least.

Some just have more when their pride gets in the way.