My thoughts on debt after watching Food Inc.

[imagine]

I watched Food Inc when it was on PBS. I admit I had trouble with the show as the farmers they presented did not fit the reality of the farmers I know.
I was having a hard time digesting the show because of this. So I discussed the show with Hubby.

He had also never seen farms and ranches like the ones presented but pointed out that both could exist.

I wanted to know what the difference would be. Why the reality would be for some as they pictured and the reality would be quite different for those I know.

Then a statement a chicken farmer said in the show popped into my head. She said that being in debt was like being a slave to the company. She seemed to apply the company could pretty much make you do as they wanted since you needed the money. They could keep asking/demanding that you spend more money/get more debt to upgrade to keep the contract so you could make money to pay back the debt.

Then I realized that those farmers we "Company owned farmers" and the ones that I knew that had the different picture were "independent farmers". The independent farmers lived differently with less debt/no debt and thus retained thier choice on how to do their business/to live. They were not owned.

That made me think of history and the "Company Store" that some companies had. They would extend credit to you to buy the things you needed and wanted and then took it out of your next pay. Those people that had become in debt to the company store were now company owned as they had to stay to earn money to make their payments to the company store with making more debt as they had to get what they needed on store credit. In the history books it said that these people often had to do the job for the company that was more dangerous our yucky. They were now owned/slaves to the company.

Seems to me there isn't much of a difference between the Company Owned farmers and the people that were in debt at the company store. Both were/are in debted/owned/slaves.

They were/are truly slaves to their debt.

Those are my random thoughts on debt after watching Food Inc.

I have some other thoughts from Food Inc. related to money too but those would be for another time.

[brenda67]

My grandfather bless his soul he died 4 yrs ago this coming June used to sing this song "Sixteen Tons" heres the lyrics Classic Country, Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford Lyrics to me starting at a very young age and even into my late 30's..never really made sense of it as I couldn't always understand what my grandfather was singing as his high & low notes of this song was a little off key..LOL..I surely miss my grandpa..Anyway thanks for the meaning of the song..it's so true........

[monkeywrangler71]

My grandfather bless his soul he died 4 yrs ago this coming June used to sing this song "Sixteen Tons" heres the lyrics Classic Country, Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford Lyrics to me starting at a very young age and even into my late 30's..never really made sense of it as I couldn't always understand what my grandfather was singing as his high & low notes of this song was a little off key..LOL..I surely miss my grandpa..Anyway thanks for the meaning of the song..it's so true........

I was humming this the whole time I was reading Imagine's post.

Really interesting insight Imagine.

[mama2James]

I don't personally know any farmers, and I think that goes to the root of the problem. The food system has gotten so big, and so corporate that we literally have no idea where our food comes from anymore. It's all in the name of cheap food. When our budgets get tight, the first thing we try to cut is the food budget, which doesn't make sense really. Why would you want cheaper food when it is what sustains you? We literally cannot live without it, it's one of the few true needs. But we are so obsessed with getting it at a good price that the farmers are forced to operate on a larger scale and much less humanely in order to survive. How else do we expect to get chicken legs for 79 cents a pound? We are so ingrained to find the lowest price, and it is literally killing us and the planet. We need to be willing to vote with our dollars and show "big food" that we don't want low quality, mass produced food anymore.

[Preston]

Food, Inc. Completely changed the way I look at food and nutrition. We barely shop at the grocery store anymore. We do our shopping at the local farmers market once a week. My wife loves it. And the food tastes sooooo much better.

[Greebo]

I hope this is still playing - must tivo

[imagine]

I hope this is still playing - must tivo

you can watch it on line here (Food, Inc. will be streaming online in its entirety through Wednesday, April 28 at midnight. )

http://www.pbs.org/pov/foodinc/photo_gallery_watch.php

It was on the PBS show called POV ( stands for Point of View) and shows documentaries.

My PBS is showing that POV will replay Food Inc on May 5

You might also be able to get the DVD at the library.

My friend that couldn't wait to see it rented it from the video store.

[Preston]

It is available for instant download on Netflix.

[Preston]

As a side note I am currently reading Michael Pollen's books right now (omnivore's dilemma, in defense of food) and it is also very eye opening.

About 30 years ago there was a fundamental shift in the way we look at food -- they made it scientific by listening nutrients.. So instead of saying "eat more vegetables" people will now say "i need to get more beta-carotene." Instead of eating "meat" we now eat "protein" etc. Interesting way to look at it.

Also, it's not just the vitamin C in the orange that gives it nutritional benefits -- it's all the other parts that occur naturally that will never be re-created in a lab.

[imagine]

I don't personally know any farmers, and I think that goes to the root of the problem.

So you have never been kissed by a cow?

I have . They have very rough tongues.
The cow actually cuddled it's head up to the farmer like a pet dog does and kissed the farmer. He asked if children and I wanted to have the cow kiss them. I stuck out my hand and the cow kissed me.

I also have the pastoral farm scene in my head with the 1930/1900 farm house because my Husband grew up on that farm. My kids have ridden on the tractor.

Those are my realities so it is hard for me imagine that the others exist.

[Palooka]

So what do you think happens to the cows and the point of having them?

[RaineyDaye]

As a side note I am currently reading Michael Pollen's books right now (omnivore's dilemma, in defense of food) and it is also very eye opening.

I'm reading it now, too. It helps give more background to some of the info in Food, Inc.

[imagine]

I don't personally know any farmers, and I think that goes to the root of the problem. The food system has gotten so big, and so corporate that we literally have no idea where our food comes from anymore. It's all in the name of cheap food.

I have a hard time with this concept still. ( not trying to be argumentative Just trying to wrap my mind around the concept)

The local apple orchard sells their apples at their store on sight but also sells their apples to the local grocery store. They aren't more expensive then other apples.

I can't see how buying a cow at the local cattle auction place (where several ranchers often sell their cows) is more expensive then buying the meat piece by piece at the store.

[Greebo]

So what do you think happens to the cows and the point of having them?

Good Eats!

[imagine]

So what do you think happens to the cows and the point of having them?

Cows are food! They are sold and butchered and are dinner.

Still doesn't mean that they can't be loving to the farmer and the farmer to them while they are still alive.