Food Inc. p.183-218

The readings continue on within the book mostly along the same lines that that have been reiterated by previous authors. One of the first authors discusses modern eating habits and how different they are from previous generations. One of the main reasons modern farming practices are practiced is because it produces such high yields and they are deemed necessary in order to provide for such a large group of people. One of the authors uses the bison/cattle example to make the point that not too long ago, the entire population was provided for without using such practices. I think this has a lot to do with to what people become accustomed. Once people, especially Americans, become accustomed to something, it is very hard to live without it. The cheap and efficient way of consuming processed foods is like a drug to the American population and the world abroad. The idea of me not being able to go through the drive through window at a fast food restaurant and only pay a few dollars for an entire meal is something that makes me squirm in my seat. Is it possible for people to return to healthy, non-processed foods? Of course it is possible but how easy that transition would be quite difficult to get started and to maintain.

The reading that really stuck out to me in this part of the book is the section by Joel Salatin. I had mixed feelings about this section. I liked that he provided many answers to the question: What can I do? He provided options such as buying locally and planting a garden. However the viewpoint to which he approached these ideas I saw as pretty extreme. The section where he talked about owning a chicken in your own apartment and blatantly ignore zoning codes I saw as taking things a bit too far. Also, to ignore health food laws? He makes valid points using historical examples about how the law has not always been correct on issues. I have just not gotten to the point with this issue where breaking the law and "defying" the government as Salatin puts it, is the correct way to go about dealing with this issue. Does a change need to be made in the way we consume our food? Yes. Is there something we can all do that can help the situation? Yes. However, ignoring law, no matter how insignificant, is not the way to go about it.