The Future of Food is a documentary worth seeing (trailer above). The doco discusses the scary turn our industrialized agricultural system took in the early part of the 20th century. This food revolution was welcomed with loving arms (order the authentic 1950′s poster here of a small child, a cow, a potato, a puppy and an apple singing, “DDT is good for me-e-e!” Unfortunately, all five of them- small child et al. – had their lives shortened while singing merrily under the DDT sprinklers.)
The importance of having a diversity of plant species is discussed in the doco. The Future of Food quotes the statistic, “97% of the varieties of vegetables grown at the beginning of the 20th century are now extinct.” They may be getting that statistic from a UK organization, Garden Organic (check out the website- they’re doing some pretty fantastic work and have helpful info.) Varied statistics can also be found; whatever the correct stats, food extinction is a disturbing issue.
The Future of Food also addresses the patenting of seeds. This raises the concern of whether we should allow businesses to patent nature and living systems. I don’t know how I feel about being owned by Monsanto… What do you think?
I think C.S. Lewis has some good advice for our current agricultural system:
“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Breathe in, Peace out…
~Aimee
I saw this doco… it was crzy what Monsanto did to those poor farmers. This is a good film. And no way should companies like Monsanto be able to patent nature- it’s headin down a really bad road.
I agree Angie. Monsanto should be shut down!!! I like the CS Lewis quote- but how far do we go back? When did all of our agric. get so messed up? There has got to be a happy medium.
i’d like to see this doco. where can you get it?
Matt, you can get the doco here: https://www.futureoffoodstore.com/
but, I bet you could get it on Amazon too.
I saw the doco on sale at the wedge co op in Minneapolis- in the bodycare area- it might be at other co ops too.
Liz, thanks for tellin us where the doco is. I live by the Wedge, so I’ll and see if there still selling it. And I second “down with monsanto”.
I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for adding my DDT poster to your blog. I’ve seen The Future of Food a couple of times and it makes VERY interesting viewing. Coincidentally, I’ve just added a shirt aimed at Monsanto: http://www.cafepress.com/amixedbag/6627427
Great blog – thanks again!