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I went to see the movie Food, Inc. on Saturday night. In our community we are fortunate enough to have a restored older theater that is owned by the Town of Normal. We get to see documentaries, foreign films and classics. One of my favorite things to do is to go at Christmas to see “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Watching that movie in a theater with 300 other people is different than watching it home.

Food,Inc. is not a heartwarming classic, but it is very interesting. The whole time I was watching the movie I was wondering if any of our friends from the Farm Bureau were in attendance or a local Monsanto representative, and what they might think about the movie. Parts of the movie are not flattering to either. However at the end of the movie one farmer says “farmers are ingenious and can deliver whatever the public wants”

I have read Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan and was careful in my judgment of the food industry. However after watching this movie, I am even more committed to changing my eating habits. I’ve got a pile of veggies I bought at the farmer market this morning, and am going to try to eat veggies in season. In addition, I plan to try as much as possible to eat meat that I know came from a reliable source. That, I know is a very difficult thing to do, especially when dining out.

Can the local food movement really flourish? Is it economically sustainable? Are people willing to pay the extra money for the food we enjoy? There is no doubt that demand, the basis for a market economy will always dictate how and what is produced as food. Companies do listen to what their customers want. If start demanding healthier, safe food we can all live better.

I have a lot to learn about this, but want to do what is right for me, my community, local food growers, the environment and ultimately my children and grandchildren.

Comments?