A story in yesterday's Washington Post takes a spin through the supermarket and rehashes some of the current moral quandaries faced by the average shopper. Organic? Big organic? Local? Free range? All of these factors are mentioned. The author cites works by Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan, and if you've read either of these authors, the WaPo piece will seem like old news. If, however, you're just starting to take an interest in how and where your food is produced, this might be a helpful, albeit brief, overview. In the end, the author consults a bioethics scholar who says that rather than worrying about every single factor involved in every item we eat, we'd be better of picking certain facets-animal cruelty, environmental impact, taste-placing them on a scale of importance, and shopping accordingly.Washington Post talks ethical eating
A story in yesterday's Washington Post takes a spin through the supermarket and rehashes some of the current moral quandaries faced by the average shopper. Organic? Big organic? Local? Free range? All of these factors are mentioned. The author cites works by Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan, and if you've read either of these authors, the WaPo piece will seem like old news. If, however, you're just starting to take an interest in how and where your food is produced, this might be a helpful, albeit brief, overview. In the end, the author consults a bioethics scholar who says that rather than worrying about every single factor involved in every item we eat, we'd be better of picking certain facets-animal cruelty, environmental impact, taste-placing them on a scale of importance, and shopping accordingly.Comments [6]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
17-22-2006 @ 2:31PM
Jackie Schwalm said...
This is tough. 3 years ago I was given six chickens(My wholistic niece was divorcing and the chics needed a home.) Every day when I come home from work they run to greet me. Actually they're hoping to get a left over french fry. So much for their strickly organic diet. Anyhow, after getting to know them I have given up eating chicken. Hope no body gives me a cow.
37-22-2006 @ 5:33PM
Jeffrey Tauber said...
We are bombarded with toxicity every day Cell phone magnetic fields toxic chemicals in the house and outside,we are over perscribe with unnessesary drugs,its all a big sell.
We still have a choice to a certain degree of unadultered food to choose from or grow, there is no other way if we plan to stay healthy,and not make the medical profession rich as well as the phone companies,and the all who profit from our guilability.
There alot of good down the earth books on natural food its important to read them as well as its important to use natural methods when we are sick,who else better to take care of our well being other than our selfs. { Thats alll Folks!!!!!!!!!}
47-22-2006 @ 6:50PM
Matthew Kazdoy said...
Two years ago I decided to cut out all manufactured foods, besides whole foods like meats and vegetables. Within 3 months I had dropped from a 36” waist to a 32”. It proved to me that eating healty is a lot more important than I originally gave it credit for. I feel better, look better, and never plan on going back.
It was a hard transition at first. Mostly when you need some food on the fly. I did however find a great alternative to fast food. Almost all grocery stores make sandwiches from their choice meats and have them premade daily using fresh bread if they have a bakery. They are delicious, vastly healthier than a subway sandwich and usually cheaper.
At this point we all know drinking soda, smoking, fast food, and drugs are bad for us. We do these things because they are easy or we like them despite their known outcome. I would even say that some of the people who choose to buy $3.00 eggs are doing so for image and not health. We have all heard vegetarians go on about their whole thing.
So I guess my point is… hopefully we all can find a reason to choose something more difficult, or costly to have a higher quality of health. If you don’t consider health a priority and engage in a lifestyle that is harmful to your body, I honestly think it is a partial form of suicide. It sounds extreme, but knowing you will not live as long as another based on your dietary habits or drug/alcohol abuse how is that not?
PS: I eat free range eggs.
5i think it is just good common sense to choose things at the grocery store (or any store) that you hope and think you know where it came from. beyond all the moral/ethical labor issues for goods produced outsidethe USA maybe we should also think about the environments this stuff is produced in. this stuff is not protected by US standards for sanitary workplace. hey, that shirt you are wearing could have been laying around in bug/animal dirt before and after it was a shirt. it could have been anywhere. and handled by anybody. ugh. as far as organic,if these products are imported, who is regulating them? well, makes sense to buy locally, makes sense to buy less but most of all it makes sense to buy only what you can afford. spend less time buying and become a more interesting person. in USA consumerism has run amok!
67-26-2006 @ 5:33PM
Ricardo Rabago said...
Hello Everyone:
If interested Organically Speaking a Seattle base website has released a podcast (audio conversation) with Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.
We our introducing a new audio comment system today, you can now leave an audio comment on any of our posts. You will find an "Insert Audio Comment" link at the bottom of the usual "Add Comment" space. All you need is a microphone.
Try it out and let Michael and John know what you think about the show!
http://OrganicallySpeaking.org/
All the best,
-Ricardo
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