Bulldoze a restaurant? Lead a charge of Brazilian farmers against biotech? Uproot crops? Destroy documents? Is this the only way to raise awareness of issues in our diet, and concerns over food supplies?
Wouldn’t it be smarter to, well… put your money where your mouth is? To just say no?
Apparently not, for those who take their agri-activism seriously. And all joking aside, in keeping with the theme of perilous pounds on our feminine figures, but more importantly the health issues concerning the fat issue. When it comes to overweight and obesity, can we really point a finger at the food supply?
If so – to what extent? And is it sufficient for you to change your eating habits, not to mention what you serve your families?
I was reading about member of the European Parliament and activist, José Bové, who has long been involved in the French environmentalist movement. One of his primary areas of activism deals with the dangers of genetically modified crops, and related issues of local versus globalized farming. His radical approach has included destroying a McDonald’s under construction in France (with a bulldozer, in 1999), destroying genetically engineered corn (in Brazil, in 2001), and yes, he served jail time for both.
The Junk Food Demons
Operating on the assumption that agri-business leads to “malbouffe” – the French term for junk food – Mr. Bové certainly sparked awareness of the deterioration of quality over quantity, and global profits over local economies.
But 10 years ago, or five – did anyone really give a damn? Do we give a damn now? Don’t we still consume junk food on a regular basis, even though we know it’s nutritionally void – or worse?
As for Mr. Bové, he ran for national office in France in 2007, and lost with a miserable showing of less than 2% of the electorate. However, he’s been serving in the European Parliament since 2009, as part of the Green Party’s affiliated Europe Écologie.
Obesity Research
As we continue to see the spread of obesity, with increasing news reports and studies on the subject, are we more likely to pay attention to Mr. Bové’s message, even if we don’t condone the methods he uses to make his point?
Closer to home, and in more circumspect fashion, some – like biochemist Dr. Barbara Corkey – are looking at what we eat and how it’s processed before it shows up in our supermarkets, and shortly thereafter, on the dinner table.
We could also pay attention to the growing emphasis on eating organic if possible, not to mention the increase in both vegetarian and vegan eating. (According to The Vegetarian Resource Group, approximately 5% of the country is vegetarian, half of that figure are vegan, and a survey the VRG commissioned indicates that approximately 30 to 40% of Americans are interested in knowing more about vegetarian foods.)
Clearly, the U.S. isn’t the only nation to be concerned about health impacts in our eating habits, and more specifically, what we’re putting in our mouths.
Toxic Foods, Healthy Responses?
Wikipedia offers interesting stats on vegetarianism by country, along with the reasons people choose that route – with “health” overwhelmingly at the top of the list.
“Toxic Food,” Enquete Sur les Effets de la Malbouffe (2010), by French journalist William Reymond, explores the associations of junk food and obesity as well as cancer, taking on food supply issues with the power of the pen, rather than the bulldozer.
But how do we divorce ourselves from the reality of a massive economic machine, which includes agri-business? How do we, as individuals, express our desire for more “pure” food? Is it solely through purchasing organic and local? What about those who have no access to either? What about our institutional food supply – our schools – that serve our children each day?
I certainly don’t condone Mr. Bové’s methods of protest, though I recognize we are coming around to more study, more awareness, and more concern about what we eat and how we eat. Surely, portion sizes, wise choices, and exercise are our responsibility. But I’m convinced that it’s more than that – and evidently, many others are as well.
Healthy Eating Habits
As to our girlish figures, and more importantly, what’s taking place in our bodies that we cannot see – are you concerned by what you consume? About the need for sugar or salt that owns you, rather than the other way around? Are you constantly dieting, and wondering why it’s not working?
- Are you vegetarian or vegan?
- Do you limit meats or other food products more than you once did?
- If not, is it a matter of access or affordability, or both?
- Are you interested in learning more about what’s in your food supply, and what you’re actually feeding your children?
- Are your concerns about excess pounds a matter of vanity or health – or both?
More on Obesity, Overweight, and Body Image in America
- The FAT Issue
- The FAT Personality
- Are You Fat?
- Food, Glorious Food
- Challenging Kids, Knee-Jerk Reactions
- Warped Views, Bad News
- The Body Politic (How Our Bodies Look vs How We Use Them)
After my return from France I researched local growers and have signed up for weekly deliveries of organically grown produce.
My husband also works in the media and the production company he works with broadcast television programs which show them going to schools and making them sustainable – growing their own fruit and vegetables and teaching young children about these wonderful resources.
It has to start at grass root levels … educate – people may not have access to growers or the financiers but there are so many options now for growing your own, even container growing.
Usually it’s the women who make the food decisions – say no to the rubbish on the shelves and start putting healthier alternatives in your shopping basket …
lobby governments and food administration authorities to be more stringent about labeling – low fat does not mean healthy – it usually means full of sugar!
Money talks … it may take decades but for the sake of our children start talking now … with all the medical research and doctors and specialists why are we getting sicker and sicker?
Food, sedentary lifestyle, stress etc.
Time for a simpler life … as a botanical art student there is nothing more beautiful than observing plants and learning about their health giving and healing properties.
We do have a choice … we just need to stop for a moment to really think about what is best for us, not for business.
So many good points, Vicki Lee. And some of our eating behaviors certainly tie into what Barb (the Empty Nest Mom) said this morning, relative to a need to slow down… Our culture keeps us wired for more more more, and we do tend to grab whatever is handy – often not the best nutritional choice.
And you’re right, we, the women, really make these choices for our families. So awareness helps – enormously. And I agree, the grassroots level is where we need to start.
But what concerns me is all those families who have no access to fresh, organic foods, or, it’s utterly unaffordable. It seems to me that only political action will address that, and the pieces of the puzzle are far-reaching (transportation systems, for example). Along with that, vigilance may help keep the issues front and center.
As always, thank you for reading and commenting – and showing us it can be done. As you say, we have a choice. At least, some of us do.
DA, I want to come back over the weekend and respond more extensively to both this and yesterday’s post, but the short version is that we’ve cut way back on *processed* food in general for health reasons, and on meat due to the environmental impact. I could never go full-on vegan, but am trying to be mindful. And I do choose the organic option whenever it’s available.
I hear you, pseu. In our household, we’re not 100% non-processed, but I’d venture we’re at 75% – and affordably. There is a misconception that it’s (always) more expensive to shift toward organic alternatives. There is also a misconception that it’s more time-consuming to prepare meals, and that’s not necessarily true either – critical when you’re juggling work-for-pay and kids! “Mindful.” Yes. If we could be more mindful, we could all head in the direction of better choices when the options are there.
But the “options” need to be available to all of us – not just those who live in areas with farmer’s markets or Whole Foods, the budget to afford them, and cars to get us to and from.
I’m glad you’re going to come back to what you observed in France, Pseu. While I clearly mention junk food in this article, we can’t simply focus on that. My worry is everything that is our supermarket food – so much of it processed – and all that isn’t labeled, which is potentially doing us harm. I don’t know about labeling in France, but the more processed foods on the French supermarket shelves (and filling grocery carts) can’t be a good sign…
I’ve never been a fan of genetically-modified foods, irradiation or other biotech “advances.” That part of the food supply scares me because sometimes you don’t know what’s been done to your meats, veggies and fruits. As for portion control, exercise and choosing more wisely…that’s completely within my control. Most grocery stores have organic produce sections, and if not, when you wash the food, much of the contaminants are removed. I can’t help but think our cancer rate (and other diseases) would drop if we ate less processed foods all around.
I’ve become conscious of food choices and portions now and have dropped 15 pounds since March. That, with walking the dog every night between 1.5 and 3 miles. No gym membership. No classes. No added expense except for a good pair of walking shoes. I still get in my dark chocolate almost daily as well. And, of course a bit of red wine every now and then. 🙂
That’s impressive, Lisa! And without giving up a piece of dark chocolate when you want it. You reflect that balance of personal responsibility and recognition that there are other “factors” that may be at work here.
Like you, I have the same suspicions relative to processed foods. (If you haven’t already, do read the link about Dr. Corkey. She’s quite the maverick in this field.)
I do worry about what I eat. I am not a vegetarian, but I try to only eat meat that is organically raised, without added hormones and antibiotics. And large agri-business? Conventional farming practices use pesticides and other harmful chemicals, that we ingest when we eat fruits and vegetables. Animals that are fed food treated with pesticides, etc. store the chemicals in their flesh and pass it on to us.
Genetically modified soybeans and corn products are in almost all conventionally processed foods. Seventy percent of all of our midwestern agricultural land are single-crop corn or soybean farms. A couple of years ago, salmon was waiting approval to be raised using genetic modification (not sure if it was approved). The FDA does not require genetically modified foods to be labeled, so American consumers are often unaware of what they are eating. When I think about this, I can’t help but be reminded of the movie “Soylent Green”.
Organic produce is every bit as affordable as non-organic, and farmers markets are often a great place to buy local. Some grocery stores bring in local produce, too.
Buying organic meats, poultry and wild fish (sometimes farmed fish is raised near coastal waterways that can be polluted) is definitely more expensive than buying those products from large agri-business.
I don’t think there are easy answers to the problems with our food supply. And it is still a pretty good food supply, in spite of its faults.
We have so many choices when it comes to food, good and bad. Lifestyle often affects what choices people make. And…In general, I think we, as a society, have a more sedentary lifestyle than we used to (just my opinion).
Soylent Green… yes!
Interesting comment about the sedentary lifestyle as well. Forbes has an article running on the “10 jobs that are making you fat.” Note that it isn’t just the sedentary nature of performing the work, it’s the stress level as well.
Great Post!!!
Recently there were a two episodes on local food in the Freakonomics podcast, highly recommended.
It is difficult for real food to compete against processed food, processed food is often cheaper and faster to prepare so it is the path of least resistance in our fast paced world. The use of sugars like corn syrup and corporate-food-scientist-tuned consumption triggers (salt + fat) create real physical/emotional addictions to fast food also. This crisis in food is an important topic to discuss, hopefully people realize good food translates into good health before it is too late.
My love-husband and I make a Saturday morning walk with neighbors to the local organic market our major shopping excursion for food. Whatever we can’t find there comes from Whole Foods. This is a very deliberate choice on our part, an attempt to support local growers, eat minimally processed foods, and reduce waste. The fringe benefits are better health, lovely seasonal meals, delight as the wheel of the year turns round, and deepening friendships with our neighbors. We are lucky to live in a part of town that supports a weekly market, and a walking lifestyle. Thanks for the thoughtful post.
We generally buy what is produced in France (if it is not off the farm) to be sure there are no genetically modified anything (not allowed here) and especially meat or fish (straight from the fisherman for all fish and I can “confit” my tuna) which is also hormone free (not allowed here).
We grow our eggs and chickens, although my sister in law does the rest and I prepare for the freezer 🙂 I say try to buy direct from farmers (even if it is a Saturday drive), and don’t be misled by “organic” or “bio” labels as the cost to obtain those “labels” is 40, 000€ here. Not very many small farmers can do that, but they love their animals and if they are “label rouge” there are specifications to adhere to and surprise “controls” /examination days.
EVERYTHING is looked at and counted (meat is numbered from day one through the butcher, until the store and you can trace the farm it comes from. Any “medication” is accounted for…There is a truth in that LARGE farming business is doing “organic”, we need to save the small farmers who are not destroying our earth. HOME.
The food here is usually free range, no genetically modified corn fed to cows whose natural food is GRASS and grains, hence the non necessity of antibiotics for stomach ailments. Most “yipppee corn fed beef” would die of age complications such as heart attack, diabetes, stroke, etc. If they weren’t butchered. The typical feedlot beef never sees a blade of grass 🙁
It is a matter of educating the consumer and meeting the farmers who sell directly IF at all possible. I urge your readers to watch the movie “HOME” by Yann Arthus Bertrand IF they have not already seen it.
Fascinating information, La Bergère. Much for us (here) to think about, and we can take what you’ve said and apply it to what we know (and don’t know) about our food sources. Thank you so much. (I just started watching that youtube film you mentioned. It looks amazing.)
La Bergère already said much of what I would have liked to–and straight from the source! I do know that my eating habits have changed because my shopping habits have. I go to the farmer’s market twice a week and shop at producer’s I trust. Their high quality products may not be certified “organic” but I know that they most likely are anyway. All of this is less expensive than fruits and veggies I can buy at the grocery store (though even at the hypermarché I know the provenance of all that I buy). As for meats, well, a little story: I grew up largely in the Midwest in a meat and potatoes family but had to stop eating beef in the mid-70s because it would make me violently ill. After reading Ruth Ozeki’s excellent book “My year of Meats”, I realized that it was the hormones and tenderizers in American beef that was making me ill not the meat itself. Although we do not buy beef here in France (for planetary and health concerns), I have eaten it without the least problem. And that isn’t even talking about cloning…
Yes, I am well aware that I am fortunate to have the time to shop at the market (and as I wrote yesterday, I really see how other families eating habits are changing from lack of time) and that I have such wonderful things there to buy. One article that I found very inspiring concerns the Fresh Moves truck in Chicago.
As for Mr. Bové’s methods? Well, he really truly brought enormous attention to the genetically modified issue at a time when it very nearly could have turned the other way. It was extreme but France has remained protected. PS. Arles, the town that I live in, used to have a McDoo (as they are called here) in the center of town but it closed due to lack of business. 🙂
Thank you Heather, for this additional perspective. (We seem to have a lot to learn here, if we could look to other countries for methods that work well. That doesn’t mean we cast aside our cultural pleasures or inclinations, but that we use our brains and common sense, and be willing to view others as offering models we could adapt.)
Not trying to oversimplify, but it does seem we – as a nation – wear blinders all too often.
As for McDoo? I love a Big Mac and fries on occasion, as much as the next guy… And when that’s what I crave, I indulge. But I admit that seeing McDonalds in France seems odd (and sad) to me. “Food culture” spreading in the wrong direction…
Some good posts here.
We’re just back from a vacation backpacking on the Quehanna Trail, followed by a week in an historic CCC log cabin. Food was very simple and healthy, including foraged food (milk weed peas are great, and fresh wintergreen, etc etc). Junk foods, GMO foods — part of the civilization (?) that is destroying us. It can seem so complex. One key habit it simply to eat less. It’s interesting that when you’ve had a long hike on the trail, you don’t actually crave that much food at meal time. I snack lots on nuts and dried fruits as we go along.
■ Are you vegetarian or vegan?
No. I’ve considered becoming vegetarian, but I have no desire to be vegan. (Cheese. Please.)
■ Do you limit meats or other food products more than you once did?
Yes, substantially. I am what Mark Bittman refers to as a flexivore. I used to eat six ounces of chicken in a serving without hesitating, but now I eat meat more infrequently, and usually not more than 2-3 ounces at a time.
■ If not, is it a matter of access or affordability, or both?
Money factors into it, because I’ve decided to only eat sustainably raised meat: hormone free, ethically raised, organic. That means that it is ridiculously expensive (or, priced according to its value, I’ll let you decide) and mostly unaffordable for me except infrequently, but I also believe in eating a more plant-based diet so I avoid meat consumption to be healthier, too.
■ Are you interested in learning more about what’s in your food supply, and what you’re actually feeding your children?
Absolutely. I’ve made sure I’m very informed. I am a devotee of Michael Pollan and Mark Bittman and Marion Nestle’, and have watched “Food, Inc” and “King Corn” and “Supersize Me” and other food documentaries in order to inform myself. Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” turned me into a vegetable gardener for philosophical reasons.
■ Are your concerns about excess pounds a matter of vanity or health – or both?
Health – absolutely. Vanity? Not really. I’d like to be slender, but more for health than reasons of vanity; being slender for vanity’s sake is just a nice side effect of being healthy.
The more aware we become, the more we can exercise smart choices. (It seems like you’re taking a similar view as my little family, and many others I know – doing as much as we can when we can, based on our locations and our budgets.)
We go out of our way to shop at farmers’ markets, which I’m thankful we have in our town. Just one reason: buy a peach from a chain grocer, including Whole Foods, and it’s likely to stay hard from too-early refrigeration. Buy it fresh from a farmer you know and it will ripen just fine.
I am vegetarian. My mother is a vegan. I initially adopted this lifestyle because of religious reasons, but as I got older, my reasons changed. I’ve tried to eliminate processed foods as much as I can, but sometimes this is difficult. Everytime you put something in your mouth, it is a choice. Really internalizing this notion helps me make better choices in my own diet. To eat “clean” is definitely more expensive. And because so much of processed food is subsidized by the gov., there will always be a premium to pay to eat healthy.