Supermarket Secrets
20 05 2008I am a fan of the website FreeDoucmentaries.Org where I spend many hours watching documentaries, especially health ones. Right now I am watching a British documentary called Supermarket Secrets which talks about, yep, you guessed it, the secrets of supermarket food. It’s broken up in two parts about 50 minutes each, but I learned a lot. The problems discussed in this documentary applies not only to British supermarkets, but American ones as well.
Some of the issues raised include the treatment of animals used for meat, the quality of preprepared foods, and even the issue of how produce “looks,” which causes millions of dollars lost and tons of wasted food. Just because some potatoes have blemishes, but are perfectly edible, they are discarded. Food has to look perfect, just like conventional products. There was a stat in there that said about 40 percent of organic farmers’ crops are wasted purely on cosmetic grounds. That is surely a deterrent for farmers to farm organic. This wasted crop is left to rot.
What about all the poor people who could eat that food? Why aren’t those potatoes sent to starving children and families across the world? We eat, and waste, so much food, it’s a bit sickening.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie was about the issue of making food look a certain way before they are sold. Joanna Blythman, author of “Shopped,” said that she doesn’t think housewives go home, after finding an imperfectly shaped orange in their purchases, and cry about it. I surely doubt people have become so ridiculous that they become upset over the shape of their produce. So why do grocery stores care so much about it that a significant number of food is wasted?
I never thought I would be interested in consumerism, but its connection to obesity, the food that is available to eat, and how people view health is undeniable and worthy of exploration. Let me know your thoughts, even if you haven’t had a chance to watch the videos.
Thanks so much for posting this- I’m very much looking forward to taking a look at these documentaries!
I’ve read quite a few articles written by people who have been forced to live on the streets (the essay “Dumpster Diving” is one of the best), and so now if there’s some kind of produce in the house that I know none of us will eat I leave it out in plain view at the dumpster. It gets picked up really quick by people who appreciate the fruit for what it is- a totally edible and tasty snack. I’m in total agreement with you and I’ll look for banged up bananas at the grocery store specifically to use for banana bread. No one else will buy them, so they might as well not go to waste.
We are obsessed with “The Best.” If it is not the best we don’t want it. So, if it is misshapen, smaller, not quite the right color, etc., we don’t want it because it is “not good enough” for us. With our country going to hell right now, people look to control the small things that they can. Food, whether it be good or bad, is one of those things. So they may not be able to pay their mortgage that month - but you better be damn sure they are going to get the biggest, thickest, juiciest cut of steak and the prettiest, most perfect potatoes for dinner - probably twice a week!
On a random side note - and you don’t know this roomie - but I have a new philosophy on my eating habits. Accountability is everything. J and I were teammates (now that she is gradumated and leaving me), however I am not the slightest, most fit person. I have struggled with fitness and weight all my life. When I was born, my father weighed about 300 lbs. and my mother was about 250 lbs. I got the “fat gene,” as they say. But both sets of their parenst are thin - and my parents had no problem losing the weight. So when people see my parents, and they see me - I look like the loser. I have always played soccer though. I play goalkeeper. So I have to be fit in order to fly through the air! Exercise has never been my problem. My problem has always been diet. So with that long buildup - I get to my diet philosophy. I used to eat a lot of not good stuff when I was alone. My philosphy now is that if I wouldn’t eat this in front of anybody else - why the hell am I going to eat it when I am alone?! When a thin person eats a candy bar its whatever - but when a bigger person eats a candy bar they are seen as a fat slob with no self control. Social norms go far in shaping a person’s behavior. So if I don’t want to be seen as a fat slob in public - why on earth would I let me see myself as a fat slob in private?
Sorry this turned into my life story! Didin’t mean to take over your blog! Ha!
Just to let everyone now!!! J graduates today!!! I’m sad she is leaving me - but at least now I won’t have to hear about her damn hamstring and I won’t have to yell at her for running around (literally) when she knows she shouldn’t be! It’s somebody else’s turn to be the muscle nanny! Maybe one of you can volunteer!
Long-winded comment - I know - it’s in my nature - I talk a lot! J will probably yell at me for this so you won’t have to read a long one again!
PS - I’m at work! Oops - what a good government employee I am - lol. Thank god this internship is over tomorrow - ha!
I laughed out loud when I read this!!! What a great roomie, yet a lousy employee
I like your philosophy; people do have qualms about eating certain foods in front of people so they don’t give off the impression that they are a “fatty.” Perhaps more people should adopt that way of thinking!
Congrats Jay on your graduation. I loved Roomie’s philosophy - will definitely check the documentaries.
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Clergywoman.
Well, thanks for your visit Clergywoman! I hope you return!