Michael Pollan: In Defense of Food 4

by admin on February 25, 2010

“It is the best of times, and the worst of times when it comes to food. But, I focus on the best, and there are alot of very positive things happening.” So says Michael Pollan in this final installment, as he completes the dots between government policy, public health, and the cost and availability of fresh wholesome foods. To see more stories, get recipes, and links to additional resources, go to: cookingupastory.com

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Tagged as: Defense, Food, Michael, Pollan

cookingupastory

j:
You picked up on one of the most important, & possibly contentious ideas that Pollan expresses on the whole issue of food. There are those who believe that the best government is really the least government, and those who believe almost the opposite, arguing a strong role for government is essential to the continued survival of our society. Like the idea of free markets (markets are always regulated, to a greater or lesser extent), it's a myth to believe there is one absolute position. PART 1
cookingupastory

J: Part 2
it's a balance, and the pendulum shifts one direction or the other, over time.

The point that Mr. Pollan is making, is that when we become sick today because of the food we eat, or for lack of access to affordable healthcare, the government is not directly connected (enough) to the consequences that result. Yet, by virtue of the 90 billion dollar (government) farm subsidy, taxpayers are also subsidizing the cost of foods that are literally making us sick, not promoting...
cookingupastory

J; Part 3
...our interests. (Check out the Dan Imhoff Farm Bill series on FOOD NEWS). As healthcare costs continue to escalate, it's not a sustainable situation. Many people are beginning to awaken to the idea, that to really address a host of longstanding problems, we must take a systems approach, to finding the best solutions. Connecting the dots, if the government became directly responsible financially for our health, then it certainly (if acting wisely, and in its own self interest)...
cookingupastory

J; Part 4
...would not financially promote food that undermines the public health.
If as a whole, everyone has access to affordable healthcare (especially our children, who after-all, represent our national treasure), we may be able to substantially reduce health problems, a huge step in itself toward reducing healthcare costs, overall. Government can't do it all (that's a dangerous notion) but there is an important role for government to play (a dangerous notion to think otherwise;...
cookingupastory

J; Part 5
...our present situation, a case in point). And, like it or not, the world is now looking to America with a renewed hope for the right blend of leadership. An America that promotes its interests foremost; within the greater context, the interests of the world, at large.

Fred
jbryant13

"the world is now looking to America with a renewed hope for the right blend of leadership."

Naive Dreamers. I'll believe it when they undo the damage Monsanto has done here and around the world, but they wont because Monsanto's taxes and donations are too important. Think tanks, lobbyists, corporations and banks run the country (and the world for that matter) - five of Obama's top seven contributors were Wall Street banks. BOTH parties are owned - corruption is rampant. Follow the money.
jbryant13

"by virtue of the 90 billion dollar (government) farm subsidy, taxpayers are also subsidizing the cost of foods that are literally making us sick"

I rest my case. Google "Kissinger Report" or "National Security Study Memorandum NSSM 200". Population control of third world countries in order for corporations to pillage their natural resources has been official US policy since 1974. This movement is funded and backed by the Rockefeller's and Council on Foreign Relations. Follow the money.
cookingupastory

J: I will read that report, I had not seen it before. I do think it matters who is president, and I do think that things can change for the better. Why?
If we continue doing business the same old way, just on the environment front alone, there will likely result economic and political instability on an order of magnitude unthinkable, and unsustainable. How will chaos, famine, huge population dislocations, disease pandemics, etc., benefit anyone's business interests.The world is now too small.
jbryant13

I won't belabor the point other than to say this. Government is NOT our friend. There is a movement (yes a conspiracy) led by the Rockefellers to depopulate the world. "economic and political instability on an order of magnitude unthinkable, and unsustainable" is precisely their goal.

But dont take my word for it - I'll let HIM tell you. Copy these below and paste in the URL after the . com on Youtube

watch?v=ClqUcScwnn8

watch?v=8XrGINLd_r8

watch?v=7nD7dbkkBIA
c7v

Im sick of all this bullshit they sell in the supermarket.
I WANT REAL FOOD!
mabellehardie

Oh great! Let's go all live on the government farms like in China? Yahoo! leave us alone.....we want freedom. Do not come at us and tell us what we have to do! Statist. Socialist. Leave politics out of this. Go do your thing and let us decide.
mabellehardie

Bible is true. One World Government is here! Saul Aulinsky said (he was a huge commie) Get the masses to rally around a cause.......like pollution. Don't dictate to me what and how I choose to eat. Politics as usual.
mabellehardie

Oh great we want the government telling us what to do....get out of our lives. You are a socialist in the guise of HELPING HUMANITY , the poor masses too stupid to make free choices. I am an R.N. and you guys are into government running all of our lives...tryrany.....fork in the road? Get out of our lives googball.
Vivalarachie

Whatever you're smoking, stop. It's easy to say "let us decide," but it's not easy to go into the supermarket and attempt to eat healthy when so many unhealthy things are labeled otherwise. Unless the government gets off its corporate-loving ass and starts some serious regulation, we're going to continue poisoning ourselves on so-called "Heart Healthy" food. If you eat healthy on your own, then great, but there are still a lot of uninformed people without access to sound information & real food.
alphacause

When the government is an instrument of the people, instead of an oligarchy who impose their will from up above, then the government isn't tyrannical. When the citizens get together to say that we want the government to be a tool to protect us against foreign invaders, and to enforce sanitary conditions in restaurants, not even the most diehard conservative has a problem with that. That is what Pollan is advocating. He is promoting individual empowerment through democracy.
sbaker3232

I just ate grass and yarrow from my yard
StrongArmZZ

Don't mind supercooper6882 hes here to take a cheap shot because hes scared.
tranquilitytrike

steamed veggies for breakfast!!! the ultimate farmer's breakfast!
MightyManotaur

I like what this guy has to say, but bottom line is that for us to adopt this kind of eating we are looking at a massive depopulation. The kind of farming/food raising he's suggesting simply cannot support seven billion people.

That being said he's a good inspiration for those who have the resources available to them and want to practice self-sufficiency when it comes to food. If the crap hits the fan the people I'm most concerned about are those crammed into apartments with no farmable land.
feuerrabe

Try growing potatoes in that yard. Might be tastier than grass.
joelsdollar

what does m. pollan - think of blood type diet ??
italyfarmstay

I am been living in US and UK for a while. I was in a student hall and the people removed the table from the kitchen. They would eat in the room and use the microwave only. They were suprised that I would could one meal per day. Have one decent meal per day.A guy said why do you cook ? I would not be bothered.
italyfarmstay

Come to Italy and have a meal with Italians. Sitting around a big table. You will be very happy. Eating is an event. It is about socializing, drinking some wine, eating real food. Experiencing the beauty of life.
When you go to a restaurant in Italy, they do not kick you out. It takes time to eat your food. Slowly, slowly. In US the idea is eat your food here is the bill and go away because I need your table. They know that eating is not just about eating.
cookingupastory

You make a great point here, italyfarmstay. Eating is not just about making money.
This also reminds me of the film, A Good Year (w/Russell Crowe). It was set in Provence, but how they embraced food preparation and the eating of it, is similar manner as you express here. I hope this is never lost.
ienvan

Fortunately, labor-intensive small scale farming just might save the world. Right next to this comment thread you will see a TED talk by MP, called The Omnivore's Next Dilemma. Wait till you hear how much food Joe Salatin produces while improving the land. There is hope.

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