On Tuesday, PTP students watched the documentary Food, Inc. We learned a lot of information about the food that’s consumed through our daily lives, like how they’ve been grown and raised, what it was fed, and what it went through, from the farm to your plate – and it wasn’t pretty.

Even though the movie gave disturbing facts, I think we all enjoyed it and became more cautious about our food. When the movie was playing, I was astounded by the kind of stuff that the director showed. There were multiple interviews from victims of lawsuits from food companies, company representatives, and others who had a strong voice about the issue.

After the film I reviewed what I ate in my daily life. Even though I don’t like much “fast food”, I have a temptation for the convenience of food like pizza, hamburger or sandwiches which my kids love so much and which make things a lot easier.

However, I am not just paying for the price for the food I purchase, I also pay my family members’ potential health in the name of convenience. I usually buy corn almost every week, because my kids—especially my 11 months old baby—love it so much. I will never buy corn again. And when I go a grocery shopping I’m going to read what’s inside.

We have 3 meals a day and I am a housewife and a mother of my lovely children. I thank everyone who prepares the food that my family can get today. However, I should be more careful with selecting, preparing and cooking food. And in addition, it is not only for the people who watched this documentary. We should let everyone know to help keep their eye on what they’re eating.

After watching this documentary, a thought passed through my mind. If we change our eating habits, the companies might change their habits too. We have to think about the future and those who are involved.
— by Agnes

This morning we watched the film Food, Inc. It was a documentary on the food industry. The video explained how our favourite foods are produced and packaged by the biggest meat industries.

I found the video interesting yet it made me really question if I wanted to continue to consume meat products. I did not agree on some of the methods that the industry used where the handling of the animals were concerned.

I did agree with the one farmer who was raising his animal organically and humanely. I think that I will have a different outlook at the supermarket when I am shopping for meats and my produce.
— by Barbara

Links and clips about the film

• Food, Inc. was shown on CBC earlier this year. Here is a promo for the film.
• You can view an excerpt of Food, Inc. titled “The Dollar Menu” at PBS.
• Watch the trailer for the movie at the film’s official site.
• The Food, Inc. entry at IMDb (the Internet Movie Database). From the trivia section: “Neither Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan or director Robert Kenner are vegetarians, despite the film’s spotlight on meat cultivation and processing in the United States.”