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6th out of 40 books
—
33 voters
Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It
by
Karl Weber
Food, Inc. is guaranteed to shake up our perceptions of what we eat. This powerful documentary deconstructing the corporate food industry in America was hailed by Entertainment Weekly as “more than a terrific movie—it’s an important movie.” Aided by expert commentators such as Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, the film poses questions such as: Where has my food come from,...more
Kindle Edition, 338 pages
Published
(first published February 17th 2009)
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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."
"Ulitmately, food safety is a personal mat...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."
"Ulitmately, food safety is a personal mat...more
4 likes · like · see review
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May 14, 2013
Sathish Sekar
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who want to eat healthier
As touted on the cover, this book is a great companion to the acclaimed documentary: Food Inc.. Most of the essays either complement or expand upon subjects addressed in the film. Topics like farm worker abuse and excessive corn production (for ethanol) are explored in the depth that these sensitive issues deserve. Joel Salatin's essay can only be described as 'compelling'. His down to earth wisdom is an inspiration to the reader. His call to simply "opt out" of the industrial food system is so...more
I've been hearing about this book/movie for a long time and I finally found the time to read it and also watch the movie. It was just amazing. It really brought to people's attentions the problems with industrial food. And it's not just about fast food and the obviously unhealthy effects on people.
There were some issues that I never even thought about. I've read books on the subject of what meat production (factory farms) have done to the environment and also on animal cruelty. So I eventually s...more
There were some issues that I never even thought about. I've read books on the subject of what meat production (factory farms) have done to the environment and also on animal cruelty. So I eventually s...more
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.
What I loved about t...more
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.
What I loved about t...more
1 like · like · see review
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 didn't push being vegetarian or ve...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 didn't push being vegetarian or ve...more
2 likes · like · see review
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 called "Decl...more
Another thing that irked me about the book was a piece called "Decl...more
Food Inc. was a pretty interesting film, contesting corporate food and condemning certain atrocities. More over, the film tried to navigate the film from all sides, and refrained from all together denouncing big business. It wasn't exactly balanced, but it did offer a glimpse into the more positive sides of Wal-Mart.
Food Inc. the text was supplemental to the film and offered up a lot of recycled (pun intended) ideas. Also, these essays seemed to be much more emotionally charged, which allowed th...more
Food Inc. the text was supplemental to the film and offered up a lot of recycled (pun intended) ideas. Also, these essays seemed to be much more emotionally charged, which allowed th...more
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 knew but to see the fruits...more
4 likes · like · see review
This book took me SO LONG TO READ. This is surprising, because the entire time I thought it was interesting and absorbing.
The book is divided into 13 chapters in 3 sections, supposedly accompanying the movie. Since I didn't see the movie, I missed out on that connection, but I do think food is interesting, so there.
The most interesting parts (for me) were the sections on food and global warming, food and genetic engineering, and food and the workers. They made me feel, respectively, scared, con...more
The book is divided into 13 chapters in 3 sections, supposedly accompanying the movie. Since I didn't see the movie, I missed out on that connection, but I do think food is interesting, so there.
The most interesting parts (for me) were the sections on food and global warming, food and genetic engineering, and food and the workers. They made me feel, respectively, scared, con...more
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 felt i...more
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 details of biotechnolo...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 details of biotechnolo...more
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...more
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 person who ha...more
The documentary film Food Inc. brought attention to the power wielded by the food industry, especially the big business food industry. The companion book to the movie explains in 13 essays the various challenges made in the movie. Various viewpoints are included, but the book is strongly aimed toward the same goals as the movie, which are to challenge the deceptive practices of the highly lucrative food industry and reveal issues surrounding animal welfare, genetically modified plants, immigrati...more
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...more
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...more
A very powerful book about the dangers of industrial food and its effect on our health, our economy, and our planet. The book is a compilation of essays written by prominent names in science, journalism, health, and the non-profit sector. Long before I read this book I considered myself to be extremely environmental, or "eco-friendly", and in tune with the benefits of organic foods versus conventional foods, but this book has completely opened my eyes to many different aspects of our food supply...more
a 5 because this is a wake up call for most. I've been aware of this and been reading labels for a decade. If you're not you had better if you care about your health. If you don't know what the ingredient is or it looks like some weird science word you can't pronounce, don't eat it. Corn Syrup and soy and fake sugar are in a ton of stuff and they're no good, most corn and soy are GMO'd out to the max and are in almost everything. You can't even buy gum today that doesn't have lab made sugar. GMO...more
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 confusion in Ca...more
My only complaint is that a lot of the info is very American and sometimes that leads to confusion in Ca...more
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 sti...more
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,...more
Even though I haven't seen the movie Food, Inc. yet, this book was amazing. It's very similar to 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 it to anyone who eats anything - wh...more
I really wanted to like this book, especially since I am obsessed with the documentary. The documentary was really well put together, and, although horrifying, leaves you with a feeling of hope. This book gave me none of the same feelings. The first section was interesting and I actually found myself enjoying it. But then I began the second part, and everything went downhill from there. Because this is not written by one author, a lot of facts were repeated, which is fine, because they did not k...more
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 committed....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 committed....more
Jul 08, 2010
Linda (Evanston)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those with a social conscious
Recommended to Linda (Evanston) by:
Program at Highland Park Library
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.
The industrialization of the food supply is kind of alarming, but this collection of essays didn't really lead anywhere. The only one that really spoke with any clarity was Joe Salatin's chapter. I liked it, but I am at a loss for who else would like it. Foodies wouldn't see anything new, new to organic wouldn't get any practical info, and industrial farmers would hate it. I think I would skip the book and just watch the movie.
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.
Interesting essays by many of the most important thinkers in the field, however, it's quite repetitive if you've read much about these topics before, and the book needs more editing so that the essays can work well together, rather than just on their own. For example, many of the essays quote the same statistics and discuss them as if the reader has never heard them before and will be surprised, which is frustrating when you've just read similar analysis of the same statistics in the essay(s) be...more
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.
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.
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Karl Weber, president of Karl Weber Literary, is a writer, editor, and book developer with over twenty-five years' experience in the book publishing industry. He is an expert in general-interest non-fiction publishing, specializing in topics from business and personal finance to politics, current affairs, history, autobiography, self-help, and personal development.
Weber's recent projects include t...more
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