Industrial Food Essay
By: Trevor Nash
When many are asked about what industrialized food is, most will come up with an optimistic answer. I have taken two courses now that have both given me an in-depth look on what industrial food is, what it does, and what it is all about. If asked to explain industrial food in a couple brief words I would describe it as “recycled food”. America today is so industrial dependent that without factories and machinery we would be lost. This is obviously not a sustainable state we are in, because factories and machinery cause pollution and are taking us one step closer to the end of human civilization on earth.
During the course, we watched a documentary called “Our Daily Bread”. The film had no words in it, just sounds of machinery and the process of food development. It gives you a look on what’s on the inside of food processing plants and I was shocked to see where and how our food is prepared. It showed the viewers how livestock is produced in mass, and killed in mass. It also shows how everything is done as quick as possible because the faster the food gets out, the quicker these large organizations can make their profit. “These companies use a model that has transformed livestock farming from quality-driven family-owned operations into big businesses concerned with volume, efficiency, uniformity, and profits above all(Ken Midkiff).” Profits above all are what these companies are after and they are in it for today and tomorrow. They don’t have to worry about a couple years down the line because as long as moneys coming in, what is there to worry about?
As a class trip, our teacher took us to a nearby supermarket to try and understand the difference in price between organic foods and non-organic foods. Before entering the supermarket I was told that organic food is made 100% natural. No pesticides or any adjustments are made while the food is being processed. From the tea, to the milk, to the meat, all organic products were much more expensive. While regular milk was sold at 2.39 a gallon, the organic milk was sold at 4.99. Even though organic foods are more expensive, I feel that people should try an organic diet because it’s healthier and more natural. It’s not as I would call it “recycled food”.
Where and how are food come will also depend on the earths peak oil situation. These machines and factories rely on oil to keep them running and without it they will not be able to get their job done. “One of the greatest impacts will be on how and where our food is produced. The dominant models of intensive agriculture and the global food trade depend on vast inputs of oil. In a post peak oil world, the combination of higher transport costs, climate change and increased conflict will necessitate us all relying far more on re-localized food supplies. Even though it requires far lower amounts of oil, organic farming is not exempt from the need to adapt.”(http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1497.cfm) Like this quote explains, peak oil will complicate the way our food is made and transported all throughout the country. We will need to have food supplies made, sold, and eaten all in the same community because in order to transport the food, you need crude oil. Not only do we need to have these kinds of places locally, we need to have enough supply to feed everyone. Organic farming is also an option to get around the “how it’s made” part but this will take time and cannot be produced as quick. “It may come as a surprise to you that the world’s industrial food supply system is one of the biggest consumers of fossil fuels. Vast amounts of oil and gas are used as raw materials and energy in the manufacture of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and as cheap and readily available energy at all stages of food production. Fossil fuels are also essential in the construction and the repair of equipment and infrastructure needed to facilitate this industry, including farm machinery, processing facilities, storage, ships, trucks and roads.” (http://www.oildecline.com/crisis.htm) Farming machinery such as tractors are needed to tend the crops and if there is no fuel to run these types of machines mass famine could be headed our way.
In conclusion Industrial food is just another way of saying recycled food. It is sad to say it, but we are in to deep to get out of our troubles now. The industrial food corporations have American people wrapped around their finger. Food is something everyone needs and we are relying on these corporations to get it to us. "We have given up to the agribusiness corporations a crucial part of our responsibility as human beings and we must now think of ways to take it back(wendell Berry)."
Citing
Ken Midkiff
Wendell Berry
(http://www.oildecline.com/crisis.htm)
