for
Food, Inc.
(Robert Kenner, 2008; 94 min.)
Things to Look For:
· Connection to An Inconvenient Truth, Super-Size Me, The Future of Food, Fast Food Nation, and the 11th Hour
· Connection to The Meatrix, A Cow at my Table and the image of food presented by the food industry vs. the reality of agri-business
Discussion Questions:
1. Eric Schlosser describes the American food system as “the world deliberately hidden from us.” Why do the main growers like Tyson not allow filmmakers in their chicken factories? Why are the growers increasingly required to close up windows at their facilities?
2. Discuss the evolution of the American food system that ensued with the advent of mechanization at McDonalds and the fast food industry. Explain why all foods are affected by this trend, regardless of whether it is purchased in a fast food restaurant.
3. Why do most of the chicken farmers not allow the filmmakers to film inside of their facilities? Why would Tyson suggest or require them to keep the cameras out? Why did Tyson and Perdue refuse to give an interview? Are they worried about sensationalism, or consumer awareness?
4. Michael Pollan contends that the cornucopia of products in our grocery store is “an illusion of diversity,” that it’s a “clever rearrangement of corn.” Explain what he means by this.
5. Comment on the CAFU’s (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). Why are they controversial? Is there a reason to be concerned with the practice of feeding corn to cows, which are evolved to eat grass? What is the relationship between these farming practice and tainted foods?
6. The food industry is said to “push the evolutionary buttons” of the desire for salt, fat, and sugar-- ingredients previously rare to acquire and unhealthy in large quantities. Are the industries to blame for the health problems now arising as consequence of their abundant presence in the current system?
7. The modern food system in America is said by the industry to grow a lot of food, on a small amount of land, at a low price. “Someone explain to me what’s wrong with that” is the challenge. How does the film address this challenge?
8. The food industry has a highly developed technology for developing seed, growing crops and food, and addressing problems like e coli contamination. Why do the filmmakers take issue with this marriage of science technology and the food industry? Why do they see it as approaching food in the wrong way?
9. Discuss the relationship between industry leaders and lawyers, food regulatory agencies, and the courts. How has it impacted issues such as labeling and the “veggie libel laws”? Is there a problem with these apparent conflicts of interest? Is the system accountable to the consumers?
10. What role do consumers have in changing which foods are offered inexpensively at the market? Consider the case of Walmart and the changes made in recent years. What is the point of the claim at the end of the film that consumers get to vote three times a day?