Saturday, January 25, 2014

King Corn

I watched to movie King Corn. King Corn was a real eye opening experience for me. The film answered many questions for me, including why we as a country are so obese. The film left some burning questions I had unanswered. I am curious to learn more about the social fabric of rural communities as farms grow larger and the family farm becomes a thing of the past. Why kind of jobs are available for the kids of family farmers who no longer can make a living in farming? What will happen to communities like Greene, Iowa? I found the town of Green, Iowa to be very charming in a way and I am sure many of the people really value their close tight knit community. It seems like there are lots of little towns right around here that are similar to Greene and all facing an uncertain future. I am curious as to why the federal government is so heavily involved in what farmers grow. For a while I just assumed that market forces determined what farmers grew but clearly this isn't true. Overall King Corn is a really good film because it present food issues through peoples stories and lives. Apparently the ideas behind this film had some real impact.


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Omnivore Dilemma part 2

In the first part of the Omnivore's dilemma Michael Pollen takes the reader on a tour of corn and how it has come to dominant the American diet largely for worse. In the second half of the book Pollen illuminates past and present eating habits through four meals. The four meals Pollen discusses is a typical fast food meal, an expensive whole foods type organic meal, a self-sustaining traditionally farmed meal and a boar Pollen manages to kill. The killing of the boar is the most entertaining part of the book and Pollen probably had the words best-seller in mind as he planned out the hunt. Pollen finds flaws in all of the four meals. In his opinion the fast food meal and the meal he personally hunted for are equally unsustainable. He seeks to expose the marketing genius behind the success of organic food and understands that farmers aren't too willing to go back to self-sustaining traditional farming methods. So where does all this leave us? How should we eat? What public policy prescriptions should we implement? Pollen does not offer technical solutions to these questions, rather wishes for us become for aware of food and it's implications.

In discussing the implications of food Omnivore's Dilemma leave something to be desired. Pollen gives and analysis of implications that he can personally see and measure but not that of macro economics systems in the way a economist would analyze this problem. I am not sure who is on the better path in this debate is just that Pollen's cost benefit analysis seems limited. I think the best thing about Omnivore's Dilemma is Pollen writing style. For myself food is often an afterthought and I eat what is cheapest and easiest. Pollen book illuminates to the reader that how good real food is.




Monday, January 13, 2014

Omnivore Dilemma

In the first few pages of the Omnivore Dilemma Michael Pollen diagnosis us with a national eating disorder. It seems to me this is a fairly accurate description of our behavior. Americans often alternate between eating poorly and having and unhealthy obsession with our health. Pollen goes on the find the causes of our collective problem and solutions. He focuses in on corn as a culprit in our poor diets specifically industrialized corn, he is not the only voice to view corn in this way. My first job was de-tasseling corn. I can't so I enjoyed de-tasseling corn but it sure was a character building experience. I was surprised at how much corn was grown just right here in the Kalamazoo-Portage area. After reading Pollens book I am starting to understand why we grow so much corn, as corn is a cheap root ingredient in many of our processed foods. I am really enjoying Pollen's book so far. I can see why the Omnivore's Dilemma was so widely acclaimed, but it does have it's critics.


data:image/jpeg;base64,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


Saturday, January 11, 2014

Early food and family memories

My earliest food memories are also associated with family memories. Food and family went together.
My mother would cook typical American foodstuffs along with the occasional German dish. (sauerkraut, brats etc.) Meal time usually occurred at the same time on the week days. For most of my childhood my mother did not work outside the home. The evening meal was an event in which my mother planned and prepared with care and my father looked forward to. I was a little more picky than my father and only at times looked forward to the evening meal. Prior to the meal we said our prayers and then dug in. Food brought the family together for a period of communal and spiritual nourishment.

Starting in the latter part of middle school and in high school my extracurricular activities began to interfere with family meals, there seemed to always be a practice to go, a movie to see or something else that seemed "cooler".  Dinner with my parents became a rarity. Looking back on my childhood I can see how healthy and good family meals were and how quickly it was all thrown aside.