Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And W...
Food, Inc. is guaranteed to shake up our perceptions of what we eat. This powerful documentary deconstructing the corporate food industry in...
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reviews
Apr 12, 2010
I love Joel Salatin!! (I opened to his chapter first.) I want to quote everything he says.
"Perhaps the most empowering concept in any paradigm-challenging movement is simply opting out. The opt-out strategy can humble the mightiest forces because it declares to one and all, 'You do not control me.'"
"Just because well-educated, credentialed experts say something does not make it true. History abounds with expert opinion that turned out to be dead wrong More...
"Perhaps the most empowering concept in any paradigm-challenging movement is simply opting out. The opt-out strategy can humble the mightiest forces because it declares to one and all, 'You do not control me.'"
"Just because well-educated, credentialed experts say something does not make it true. History abounds with expert opinion that turned out to be dead wrong More...
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Jan 27, 2011
Nicole
rated it: 
I picked up the book at my local library after hearing all the disgustingly interesting comments from my peers on how the movie changed their daily diet. I would have much rather watch the movie, but they didn’t have that available in my library.
Regardless, the book was very informative. I had trouble understanding some content because of my lack of knowledge on the food industry, but the range of the topics in the book were wide enough for me to comprehend 2/3 of it easily.
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Regardless, the book was very informative. I had trouble understanding some content because of my lack of knowledge on the food industry, but the range of the topics in the book were wide enough for me to comprehend 2/3 of it easily.
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Feb 01, 2010
Alicia
rated it: 
I thought this book would be all about the big bad food lobby. How a few companies are running everything. And while that is true (and scary) this book really surprised me with its diverseness.
The best part of this book was that it had real practical solutions to problems. At the end of most chapters it had a little section called "what can you do?" and it had bulleted suggestions if you wanted to get more involved or change your actions.
I also like that they More...
The best part of this book was that it had real practical solutions to problems. At the end of most chapters it had a little section called "what can you do?" and it had bulleted suggestions if you wanted to get more involved or change your actions.
I also like that they More...
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Jun 11, 2010
Miriam
rated it:
I didn't expect to like this book, but I did. It made some great points and, for the most part, presented facts in a straightforward, unbiased way. However, I did get tired of all the anti-scientific propaganda against genetic engineering. Yes, it is a fledgling technology, and yes, like many other things, corporations are trying to take advantage of it. THAT should be stopped, but the technology itself can be extremely valuable.
Another thing that irked me about the book was a piece More...
Another thing that irked me about the book was a piece More...
Dec 07, 2009
Leslie
rated it: 
I have to confess, we watched the movie! I could not find a way to link the movie but I do feel like everyone should see this!! We watched with the older children and they found it worthwhile as well. It is a compliment to the "Wal Mart Effect" and "Fruitless Fall". It makes us ask ourselves what is the point of a successful business? Money or product? Is it possible to achieve in both areas? Most of the information about the general benefits of eating well we already
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Aug 21, 2009
Lisse
rated it: 
This book started out really well for me. I have been trying to learn a lot more about the food I eat, where it comes from, how safe it is and who is really benefiting and hurting from my food choices, so this was a great book for me to pick up b/c it covers EVERYTHING. Which is also why I didn't rank it higher. About 3/4 of the way through the book it became a little overwhelming and there were some topics I wasn't that interested in. A normal reader might skip over those chapters, but I fe
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Mar 19, 2010
Ms. C
rated it:
This book is an anthology of articles and essays on the topic of food production in the U.S. It is a companion book to the recent documentary of the same name.
I didn't tear through this book like I did with The Omnivore's Dilemma*, but I liked it just as much. As an anthology, it didn't have the "story" element of a single author, but that did make it easier to skip around and explore the book as I wished. It also was more in-depth than Omnivore, especially in covering the More...
I didn't tear through this book like I did with The Omnivore's Dilemma*, but I liked it just as much. As an anthology, it didn't have the "story" element of a single author, but that did make it easier to skip around and explore the book as I wished. It also was more in-depth than Omnivore, especially in covering the More...
Nov 30, 2009
Barb
rated it:
Disclaimer...I perused but didn't read the book, a collection of essays by people who are involved or who have investigated the food industry. However, I watched the documentary based on the book. Yes, we know fast food is bad and organic is best, but after watching the movie, I may never be able to eat again, period. The impact on our health, weight, economy, immigration policy and life style is huge and disturbing. For me it begs the question - can we mass produce to make things affordable and
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Apr 27, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
After you watch the movie (which you should!) and you want more details, this is a good source. Each chapter is written by a different "expert" so it covers a lot of stuff. The saddest part to me was the chapter about migrant field workers in California. They have no rights, and some still die from heat exhaustion because they aren't allowed to take breaks. Makes me look at the 99 cent boxes of strawberries you see at the grocery store in a whole new light, when I think of the poor per
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Jan 12, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Food, Inc. is a written version of the film bearing the same name. This is my fourth or fifth book about our national (and international) food system, and quite frankly, they have all given me indigestion. I don't know where to begin. Let's start here: Americans are, increasingly, fat and sick. We are fat and sick for two main reasons: a lack of exercise, and the food that we eat. If the majority of people in this country had any idea just what it was that they were eating, we'd be a nation of b
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Jan 17, 2010
tiffany
rated it:
i just watched this dvd and i think every single person should watch it. it is well documented, incredibly informative and gives us knowledge that as responsible consumers we have zero reason to remain uninformed. if you plan to continue eating and putting your money toward products then regardless of what your decisions are (i.e. what you continue to eat, purchase, support, etc.) you will be doing it with intent and knowledge of what you are supporting. this documentary has gone to great length
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Oct 15, 2009
Alexis
rated it:
This book is a great companion or stand alone to Food Inc. It's a collection of essays about food issues and can be used to add to the info given in the documentary or on its own. I thought it was a great primer and love the idea of having a movie and tie-in book. A must read for anyone interested in food issues. It's got a lot of great sections, including one on what people can do. Fantastic!
My only complaint is that a lot of the info is very American and sometimes that leads to con More...
My only complaint is that a lot of the info is very American and sometimes that leads to con More...
Jan 15, 2012
Tracy
rated it:
I grew up in farm country in Lancaster co. Pa, raised chickens and pigs, saw them being butchered, went to livestock auctions as a child, spent 13 years as a vegetarian, hated Monsanto for years, garden organically, thought I knew. I was still shocked by what I saw and heard in the movie Food, Inc. I purchased the book in order to have factual references for the movie. Not quite what the book is. It is divided into entries made by people who worked on the film and or were in the film. It was
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Nov 02, 2011
NuraFaisal511
rated it:
Amazing, compelling, and entertaining documentary which makes you think twice before you eat your food. I watched this documentary a year ago. My teacher showed it to us during my science class. Just like most documentaries I expected it to be a boring scientific/experimental kind-of documentary, but I was wrong. It turned out to be amazing. I decided to check out the book version and it was also the same quality as the documentary. It was well written and enlightening. Definitely worth reading,
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Apr 24, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Even though I haven't seen the movie Food, Inc. yet, this book was amazing. It's very similar to <Fast Food Nation</i> by Eric Schlosser, but focuses on food in general rather than the fast food industry specifically. There are 3 sections one about the making of the movie Food, Inc., one about the food industry and how that works today, and one about what you as a consumer can do about these issues. There is a TON of great, helpful information in this book. I would highly recommend
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Jan 04, 2012
Cruton
rated it:
I confess the library wanted the book back before I was actually done with it and I haven't bothered to get it back. Fortunately this will not stop me from thinking thoughts on it.
It was interesting, though one should definitely be aware coming in that unless you are in the industry you will be buried under a load of statistics and figures that you will be unable to keep track of unless you are taking notes, which I considered, but on considering I found that I just wasn't quite that c More...
It was interesting, though one should definitely be aware coming in that unless you are in the industry you will be buried under a load of statistics and figures that you will be unable to keep track of unless you are taking notes, which I considered, but on considering I found that I just wasn't quite that c More...
Jul 08, 2010
Lisa (Ravenswood)
rated it:
I have read the Michael Pollan books about the food industry. "Food, Inc" is a compilation of essays by Pollan, Eric Schlosser (Author of "Fast Food Nation" and others. Parts of the book, especially the parts dealing with meat, poultry, and seafood, were quite disgusting to think about - meaning I have become a 100% vegetarian. Other essays discuss the horrible conditions and low pay of food workers working in industries such as chicken processing and agriculture.
Mar 11, 2010
Tricia
rated it:
Ok, so I didn't read all of it - only the parts I found interesting. I know most of the things they try to teach you in this book, so I really only found the personal stories to be worth reading. I'd say it's of a little better quality than the movie, since you get to read what the director actually set out to portray, but I think this book is really only good for those people who know nothing on the subject to get a basic understanding.
Jul 19, 2011
Valerie
rated it:
I loved the documentary and this is a good follow up. It's nicely organized and you can jump around and not read it sequentially (which is what I did). An excellent read if you are at all concerned about where your food comes from and interested what changes you can make in order to create a sustainable diet.
Oh, it's also a good follow up to Fast Food Nation if you have read that book.
Oh, it's also a good follow up to Fast Food Nation if you have read that book.
May 04, 2010
Angie
rated it:
I was shocked at the deception that lies behind the food that we eat. I for one am slowly going completely organic (slowly because it is at least 3x the cost of everything else). I may also become a vegetarian (this part will be hard because I love a good burger). Maybe I can start "feeling bad for the animals" like my 7 yr old daughter. It seems to have helped her get over her love of meat.
Aug 22, 2010
Bojana
rated it:
Very interesting content but it fell a little flat in terms on engagement. I also think the 'Another Take' wasn't aptly named. In that section I expected to see an opinion that at least somewhat departed from the previous essay. Instead, I got an even more extreme view of the same thing.
Essays well worth reading include Arturo Rodriguez's "Cheap Food: Workers Pay the Price", Joel Salatin's "Declare your Independence", and Michael Pollan's "Why Bother?".
Essays well worth reading include Arturo Rodriguez's "Cheap Food: Workers Pay the Price", Joel Salatin's "Declare your Independence", and Michael Pollan's "Why Bother?".
Jan 04, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
It's been a while and literally another life time ago. I had a steady job with a University and had different life goals than I do now. I found the philosophy sound and reading the "lingo" definitely helped raise my thinking and view of personal financial planning. I made a few investments but stopped being interested in wealth building in that way.
Jan 14, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
This was a remarkable book and resource on food politics, but it took me literally months to make my way through it. It is incredibly dense and often depressing in the way it picks a part our current food growth and distribution system. I found myself constantly putting it down after reading a chapter or two - I needed to absorb what I'd read, but also temper it with something lighter. I watched the DVD of the same name the other night and found the inspiration to finish the book - there is s
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Sep 05, 2011
Mrs Condit Reads Books
rated it:
Actual rating 2 1/2 stars.
When I purchased this book I expected a book about the food industry, and I got a little bit of that but mostly I got a political rant. Not to say Mr. Weber is wrong in his strong feelings about the links among politics, government, big business of every kind, economic problems and the poor health of people today. It just wasn't what I expected.
When I purchased this book I expected a book about the food industry, and I got a little bit of that but mostly I got a political rant. Not to say Mr. Weber is wrong in his strong feelings about the links among politics, government, big business of every kind, economic problems and the poor health of people today. It just wasn't what I expected.
Sep 06, 2011
Jimmy
rated it:
For those of you that are at least aware of the food industry and the truth behind how our food is processed, there really shouldn't be too much of a surprise here. However, it is nice to get an in-depth look at some of the views presented by the essayists here. If you're one of the people that has no idea why corn is pretty much the #1 commodity in the food industry, then prepare to be challenged.
Sep 30, 2009
Melissa
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Best essay = Declare Your Independence, wherein Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms urges us to keep laying hens in apartments. "The secret reality is that the government is out of money and can't hire enough bureaucrats to check up on everybody anyway." I love that guy.
Jun 28, 2010
Marsha
rated it:
I have to say I find this book so enlightening. I have totally been changing what i eat and buy. It is a little frustrating realising how far gone the food industry is but the book offers tips on what consumers can do to improve the quality of food we are eating. No more toxins for me and my family that's for sure!
Jan 03, 2010
Rae
rated it:
A movie tie-in rehash. Not a bad place to start if you know nothing about industrial food and its effects on the environment etc but this was just way too political for me. I've read much better material. I haven't seen the movie yet, but plan to do so.
Dec 09, 2009
Sheila
rated it:
Great book that I would recommend to someone who wants to know where their food comes from and how it is processed. Not only is this information doled out, but there are suggestions at the end of each chapter on how to make a difference in the world today.
Nov 12, 2009
Shushlibrarian
rated it:
Liked it, but it wasn't anything I didn't already know. I liked the resource section at the back. Michael Pollan's article, "Why Bother?" is fabulous, but I'd already read that in the NYT. Thinking about sending it out with my holiday letter this year
