Everyone on the planet requires regular meals every single day of our lives. Despite the incredible importance of food, our North American food system, like much of the rest of the world’s, is dominated by a handful of agricorps that have a very cozy relationship with the U.S. and Canadian governments. This means that decisions are often made that benefit the corporations but not the public. The result is that our food system is very very very broken – and it is affecting our bodies and the health of our planet.
In this 2011 TEDx talk, former food industry analyst Robyn O’Brien discusses her food “wakeup” call and what she is currently doing to alert the rest of us about the sick state of our food.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rixyrCNVVGA&feature=player_embedded]
More links:
For thorough, readable discussions of the food industry, I would suggest reading Marion Nestle’s Food Politics or Safe Food; John Robbins’ Food Revolution (chapters 16-19 deal solely with GMO; and Anna Lappé (Diet for a Hot Planet with McKibben). Others?
Good suggestions. I would add anything by Michael Pollan or Vandana Shiva.
I believe I said readable. Pollan and Salatin lose some of us as soon as the slaughter begins.
Hmm – we’ll have to agree to disagree. I love Botany of Desire, and Omnivore’s Dilemma is also great. And I also find Dr. Shiva focuses on solutions as well as a laser-sharp explanation of what’s wrong and why. Also, Joel Salatin seems very solutions-focused to me.
Laurie – you might appreciate some of the books suggested in this Grist article: http://grist.org/food/cant-miss-summer-reading-for-sustainable-food-fans/