By: Barbara Swafford

Betsy Wuebker 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi Carla – Welcome to PassingThru! It is an overwhelming subject that can lead to a hopeless feeling. We can each only do as much as we can within our limited influence. It sounds like you are taking positive steps to eat in a healthy way given what we know. Thanks for your comment and we hope you stick around!

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Betsy Wuebker 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi Kim – Oh, I am so happy about your CSA continuing through the winter! I have enjoyed your discussion and recipes that you have posted. Pete made the Broccoli-Cheddar loaf from your recipe and it was great! I’m glad you will have more “food for thought.”

Your point about the monopolization in the food production industry is well-taken. I do think Cargill strives to be responsible in what they do to a greater extent than some of the others. There are many people with whom I am personally acquainted who work there and take the mission seriously.

With respect to the Chinese exporting toxins in pet and human food, as well as other products, what I was trying to say is that there is an implication of bio-terrorism against their political competitors (which would be us, of course) and subjugation of their own population. I think it’s fairly evident that regime places little value on the individual, and views people as expendable. The site I linked to has an extensive round-up pertaining to the issue. My view likens these actions with a “Final Solution” of sorts. That is my view only, and I don’t intend for this discussion to sidetrack at the moment. Although, it would be an interesting topic to research more fully.

Thanks, as always, for your comment. ... See all content Hide content

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Betsy Wuebker 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi Davina – I understand what you mean about the satisfaction that comes from having a hand in what you’re eating. We experience this on a much smaller scale in the suburbs. Still, it’s amazing the yields you can get out of a fair-sized garden. We’ve looked at square foot gardening, too. And my dad always used to say, “If you haven’t worked for it, you’ll never appreciate it as much.” Thanks.

Hi Patricia – Thank you so much for your part in inspiring this post. The planets just all aligned. I have no doubt your e-book is going to be spectacular and we were happy to contribute. Can’t wait to promote it, too! Safe travels and thank you.

Hi Hayden – I think Food, Inc. is probably the 21st Century counterpart to Sinclair Lewis’ The Jungle, which horrified me when I first read it. The biggest influence on changing things will be the power of the free market. We can all do our part, can’t we? Thank you.

Oh! Hello, Dear! :-X

Hi Dot – I know what you mean about meat. We don’t want to stop eating it either. But we’re looking closely at what we do purchase and seeking alternatives. So far we’ve been amazed at the difference. Thank you.

Hi Megan – Wow, that was the sound of my head exploding from your compliments! Thank you so much. I think this timely subject is on everyone’s mind, so I’m happy about your plans to share this post. Thanks!

Hi Cath – I know. It’s just too much to even think about isn’t it? Why, oh why would melamine or other toxic materials be anywhere near a food processing plant? I can’t fathom any reason? Thanks.

Hi Evita – Your comment came in just as I was finishing up with the ones above. Welcome to PassingThru! I appreciate how committed and knowledgeable you are on this subject – I always learn something from what you post on Facebook.

My Uncle Bob’s partner, Hal, recently said something that made so much sense: “Just eat from the perimeter of the market.” Meaning don’t cruise up and down the aisles where the packaged and processed foods reside; go for the fresh vegetables, meats and dairy.

While I don’t think it’s realistic that everyone would turn vegetarian, I do believe that if we support respectful and ecologically sound methods with what we spend we can influence. At least in our first world society, today. And, I do think Borlaug’s lament had merit. He was concerned with the vast numbers of people who starve every year and getting them fed in the most expedient way possible. Somehow there has to be a happy medium with technological assists to create higher yields sufficient to support our world’s population. Thank you for your inspired and heartfelt comments. We hope you stick around! ... See all content Hide content

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Cath Lawson 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Wow Betsy – the idea that a nation could be deliberately poisoning another nation for financial gain is terrifying. How do these people sleep at night?

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Dot 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

I like to silently thank the animals and the plants. I read once that there’s a theory that “saying grace” started out as a thank-you to the animals, but later became different.

If I had to buy whole animals, I couldn’t eat them, but since my diet has been severely narrowed by various illnesses that make me have to avoid things, I’d rather not have to give up meat, too.

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Hayden Tompkins 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

We JUST saw that movie and I was totally dumbfounded. I suspected it was bad but I had no idea what the scope of the food industry in this country looked like.

I already had a clue about Monsanto, especially after so many farmers in India started committing suicide, but the sheer extent of their control was chilling.

Chris and I have already made plans to shift our shopping habits once we return to Raleigh and “Food Inc.” only made me more committed to doing so.

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betsywuebker 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Twitter

New blog post: Unincorporating Food, Inc. http://passingthru.com/2009/11/unincorporating-food-inc/

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