Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
I see someone already started this post (that is - gave it a title, no more) so I'll take the cue.
Not withstanding the ocassional melodrama and dash of liberal self-righteousness, I am really enjoying this book. I have to insterpsers it with the Sun so it's lasting longer thatn I thought. It is hard to put down once you pick up (unless Pilar is headed for an electric cord). Here's why I think everyone who is thoughtful about the planet they live on, and/or who is interested in food, should read this book:
1. Why 50,000 types of cereal and only 2 types of potatoe?
It explains the industrial food system that we all participate in on a daily basis. This is particulalry itnersting because it explains why we see what we see on our grocery store shelves. In other words, how we end up captive to large corporations that produce our food and make it very simple (and cheap) to access.
2. Big Organic
It illustrates the undeniable contradictions in "big" organic. As more and more of us start to eat organic, it has made organic foods the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Of course big business goes where big profit is and now we see large corporations with organic brands. Great for the acres and acres of land that no longer have heaps of fertilizer and spray used on them (and the ground, river, ocean water, soil and air that benefits) but that organic food must pop back into the industrial food chain to make it to supermarket shelves. So the packaging and fossil fuels needed to make this happen are similiar to all other foods.
3. Rebellious Eating
This brings me to another key insight: the importance of supporting local farmers. I mean - we have belonged to a community farm on and off over the last years, and go to farmers' markets every week - but I was not hinking of this as a political act - or an environment one. I was just focused on getting good, ripe, seasonal produce. Little did I know that eating seasonal produce - that is - what's in season - is dare I say it - a political move in addition to an epicurean one. By confining oneself (as much as you can) to eating locally and seasonaly, you're opting out of globalization and the industrial food system. I kind of like that. I think of it as rebellious eating.
OK - I'm tired and going to bed. But I will blog more when I finish the book (which Ernesto has stolen) and can sum it up.
Not withstanding the ocassional melodrama and dash of liberal self-righteousness, I am really enjoying this book. I have to insterpsers it with the Sun so it's lasting longer thatn I thought. It is hard to put down once you pick up (unless Pilar is headed for an electric cord). Here's why I think everyone who is thoughtful about the planet they live on, and/or who is interested in food, should read this book:
1. Why 50,000 types of cereal and only 2 types of potatoe?
It explains the industrial food system that we all participate in on a daily basis. This is particulalry itnersting because it explains why we see what we see on our grocery store shelves. In other words, how we end up captive to large corporations that produce our food and make it very simple (and cheap) to access.
2. Big Organic
It illustrates the undeniable contradictions in "big" organic. As more and more of us start to eat organic, it has made organic foods the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Of course big business goes where big profit is and now we see large corporations with organic brands. Great for the acres and acres of land that no longer have heaps of fertilizer and spray used on them (and the ground, river, ocean water, soil and air that benefits) but that organic food must pop back into the industrial food chain to make it to supermarket shelves. So the packaging and fossil fuels needed to make this happen are similiar to all other foods.
3. Rebellious Eating
This brings me to another key insight: the importance of supporting local farmers. I mean - we have belonged to a community farm on and off over the last years, and go to farmers' markets every week - but I was not hinking of this as a political act - or an environment one. I was just focused on getting good, ripe, seasonal produce. Little did I know that eating seasonal produce - that is - what's in season - is dare I say it - a political move in addition to an epicurean one. By confining oneself (as much as you can) to eating locally and seasonaly, you're opting out of globalization and the industrial food system. I kind of like that. I think of it as rebellious eating.
OK - I'm tired and going to bed. But I will blog more when I finish the book (which Ernesto has stolen) and can sum it up.
posted by Jeff at 8:08 AM
3 Comments:
I wrote this - and I didn't know how to spell check (nor can i figure out now hot to add my name or tell anyone it's updated)
Yours confusedly,
Jessica
Looking forward to the rest of your thoughts. I've heard Pollan talking about how much corn we inadvertantly consume. Pretty interesting.
That last one was me.
JPL
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