In a book that explores and ultimately evaluates the American food industry, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan observes, “… the way we eat represents our most profound engagement with the natural world. Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.”

So, how exactly does the American food industry reflect our society and its values? Most people would answer that the processes in which our food is produced, marketed and sold are reflective of the complicated and often contentious relationship this country has with food.

Unfortunately, the food industry in its current state leaves a lot to be desired. Although these facts are rather unpleasant, it’s essential to be informed of what you and the people around you eat. America’s focus on mass production leads to detrimental consequences on both the environment and us. Additionally, the means of factory farming are immoral as well.

When farming turns into a race to produce the most, humane treatment and self-control often go to the wayside. Specifically, factory farmed animals live in abysmal, abhorable conditions and wreckage is inflicted to the land. Because the focus of mass production, factory farming is efficiency, humane treatment is largely forgotten–female animals are bred over and over until exhaustion, and all animals are confined and crammed together, unnaturally raised to grow larger than their limbs can support, and generally “processed” in ways that cause terrible suffering for the animals.

It is easy to distance ourselves from the moral issues, but it is important to stay aware of where our food comes from and how it is treated. We cannot become complacent with cruelty and must uphold a level of compassion for other living souls besides other human beings.

In addition to moral issues that degrade the food industry, the issues that pervade factory farming affect us directly through severe environmental damage. Since agricultural corporations wish to maximize profit, they ignore the long-term consequences of the widespread use of insecticides and herbicides, which are highly toxic to the environment. These treatments pollute valuable freshwater sources underground, and affect people directly because underground water serves as  the source of water for many people. Although the atrocities within the food industry seem isolated and separate from us, these things actually directly affect us: pollution poses a huge health risk and also injures the environment.

In a study showcased by Scientific American, researchers found that the weedkiller Roundup,”[u]sed in gardens, farms, and parks around the world…contains an ingredient that can suffocate human cells in a laboratory.” As illustrated by this study, the abuse of toxic substances to control weeds and insects poses a severe health risk. This risk is amplified by the fact that these toxic substances can pollute water sources–often, underground water sources connect large areas, and are not isolated to just the piece of agricultural land.

The bad news continues when the produce and meat leave the farm. An unhealthy amount of processing occurs afterwards, enabling corporations to sell cheap, low quality products at high volume. The additives and artificial flavorings companies use to cut corners results in a unhealthy, hardly real “food” product.

For example, the appetizing cheese squares by Kraft that add a delicious spark to many burgers in America actually do not contain enough milk fat (just ten percent) to be considered real cheese. Instead, it must be labeled “pasteurized cheese product,” due to the amount of artificial filler and flavorings.

Since the FDA’s regulatory quality control laws are pathetic, the quality of food suffers and ultimately hurts people, especially those who cannot afford more expensive alternatives. Mr. Jurasas, History Department Chair states, “The food industry is concerned, unfortunately, with quality over quantity.”

With all this in mind, it’s hard to believe that anything can be done on an individual level in order to redeem society’s relationship with food. However, as scary as it is, it’s also extremely empowering to realize that consumers do hold the power to influence the food industry based on where we choose to spend our money. For example, morally speaking, there is nothing wrong with meat consumption. However, many people have issues with the inhumane way that cattle and poultry are treated by many large scale, factory farms. One possible solution to this moral dilemma is supporting meat farms that are locally sourced or family run, who are more likely to treat their animals with humanity and compassion. In extension, supporting local farmers’ markets, such as the one that La Grange hosts every Thursday, is a very important component of creating a healthy and morally acceptable relationship with food. Supporting locally sourced produce and meats is an essential way to become an active member in the push against large factory farming.

However, as Mr. Jurasas points out, “This [problematic relationship with food] is not just because we are ignorant Americans, there are other issues that factor into our choice. Economics, for example, at the root.”

It would be neglectful to have a discussion about the food industry without mention of finances. The fact of the matter is, higher quality food costs more money. This is the central reason behind the fact that many low income areas of the country become trapped in a cycle of fast food and chain grocery stores. Many people simply cannot afford the luxury of buying wholesome, locally sourced food. As suggested by Mr. Jurasas, one of the possible solutions for breaking this unfortunate cycle is compelling the government to become more involved in providing incentives for smaller, privately run grocery stores to open in lower income areas. Then at least, healthy alternatives could become an option for many people who only have regular access to cheap, processed food.

While eating clean, healthy food may be more expensive in the short term, eating locally sourced and farmer market food is beneficial and cost effective in the long run. Healthy eating helps to prevent cardiac problems, type two diabetes, and other such diseases. So, spending extra on quality food ultimately saves money in the long run.

The long and short of it all is this: being aware of the food we eat and where our food comes from is the most important thing for consumers to be engaged in.

As long as we are aware of the practices and processes we implicitly support when we dig into our breakfasts, lunches and dinners, then we can honestly function as intelligent, informed and aware members of the American relationship with the food industry. Challenge yourself to research the brands that produce the food you eat and become conscious of what practices and processes your hard earned money goes to support.

No one can ever be judged for the type of food they choose to consume if they attempt to become informed about the implications of their decisions. No matter how powerless an individual person may seem, the potential to make a difference in our society is housed within each person’s individual decisions and choices.