Food Inc. 2 Review
If you haven't had the opportunity to yet, check out my interview with Food Inc. 2's directors, Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo, here or on YouTube.
Intro
The original Food Inc., a documentary that I hold dear, was a game-changer for me and my family. Directed by Robert Kenner and narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, it shed light on the food industry's reliance on corporate farming in the US. The film's call to embrace organic, locally grown food and read product labels resonated with us, leading to significant lifestyle changes.
When I first experienced this documentary with my mother at the now-closed Tivoli Theater in Kansas City, it sparked a transformative journey for our family. We immediately began implementing the solutions proposed in the film, even adopting a Paleolithic diet that excluded grains, dairy products, and refined foods. My mother delved into books that explored the food industry, such as Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser and The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. She also immersed herself in many other food-related documentaries in the years following our viewing of Food Inc.
Changes in the Food System
In the fifteen years since the release of Food Inc., the American food system has undergone a seismic shift. The commercialization has reached such a level that even the organic and locally grown food options, once seen as a solution, are now under the control of multinational corporations. These corporations, in cahoots with the US government, have created financial instability among farmers and a health crisis that they manipulate. This is not sensationalism. It's the stark reality.
Filmmakers Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo confront viewers with the harsh realities of the food industry in Food Inc. 2 alongside Pollan, Schlosser, food producers, workers' rights activists, and legislators. Whether or not Food Inc. 2 adequately follows up on the original documentary with new insights instead of retreading familiar territory is a question that invites the audience to engage in the discussion. It's an opportunity for viewers to reflect on the film's effectiveness and potential improvement areas and consider the positive changes this documentary could spark.
The Core Concept
The core concept of Food Inc. 2 is to update viewers on the state of the American food industry. This is done through a series of insightful interviews with key figures such as authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma), Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), farmers Sarah Lloyd (dairy), Bren Smith (oyster), Arthelia Brown (school nutrition), workers Gerardo Reyes Chávez (produce), Fran Marion (fast food), Zack Smith (seed & agronomy), politicians Cory Booker (Senator), Jon Tester (Senator), academics Marion Nestle (food studies), Carlos Monteiro (nutrition), Kevin Hall (NIH), Dana Small (psychiatry), industry professionals Jon Esformes (Pacific Tomato Growers CEO), Pat Brown (Impossible Foods founder), Uma Valeti (Upside Foods CEO), and Art Cullen (journalist). This diverse range of perspectives allows the directors, Kenner and Robledo, to back up their theses with data and case studies.
Focus on Individual Stories
The reality of what Food Inc. 2 is trying to achieve is much more complicated. What the film is trying to achieve (and fails to tell the viewer) is that it's much more concerned about telling the stories of the interviewees (specifically Senators Corey Booker and Jon Tester and the workers I previously mentioned like Gerardo Reyes Chávez, who founded the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Increased Corporate Control
Food Inc. 2 isn't simply trying to revisit the issues raised in the first film. It's been 15 years, so things have changed. So, instead, the documentary provides a more in-depth look at the food industry, exposing the increased consolidation within the industry. For example, the documentary highlights how the beef processing market share has jumped from 25% to 85%, controlled by a handful of corporations like Tyson and Cargill. This concentration of power allows these companies to dictate prices to farmers and has the potential to manipulate the food supply chain, according to Kenner and Robledo.
Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Gerardo Reyes Chávez's story exemplifies the exploitation of migrant workers that has permeated the produce industry. He details the harsh working conditions and low wages faced by many. This reliance on cheap labor is undoubtedly a consequence of the very corporate control Kenner and Robledo are working to expose in Food Inc. 2.
Public Health Crisis and Ultra-Processed Foods
The film also tackles the public health crisis linked to ultra-processed foods. It explores the findings of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that demonstrates how a diet high in ultra-processed foods led to weight gain compared to a minimally processed diet. Beyond simply highlighting the dangers of these foods, the documentary takes time to explore potential solutions, such as promoting local farming or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. However, the presentation of some solutions might be overly complex for some viewers.
Data Presentation
This brings me to the data Food Inc. 2 uses to support its claims. While data is essential for drawing conclusions while watching a documentary and potentially conducting research, it's also important to consider how the data is presented and whether it impacts the viewer.
Let's revisit the beef processing market share statistics, which show a concerning increase in corporate control. The documentary, however, needs to address what viewers can do about it. This is a crucial opportunity to strengthen the concept of taking action on the issues raised in the documentary. While the film doesn't explicitly outline how viewers can counteract the increased market share, it does highlight efforts to promote fairer food systems, such as Senator Cory Booker's work to improve access to healthy food options in underserved communities. This should inspire us to consider our role in shaping the food industry.
There's also the issue of oversimplification of data. The film discusses minimum wage concerns for food workers, focusing on the story of a Taco Bell worker in Kansas City, Missouri, to highlight the need for a $15 minimum wage. While the fight for a higher minimum wage is important, the documentary doesn't address variations by state or attempt to address the progress made in Kansas City and Missouri since the segment was filmed.
It's also the section of the film I have personal knowledge of. I lived in Kansas City my whole life and can tell you that the current minimum wage is much higher than the national minimum wage of $7.25/hour. An entry-level position at most restaurants in the Kansas City Metro area, even dating back to 2016, was somewhere north of $14/hour. So, while I understand the need for the segment to illustrate the national fight for a higher minimum wage, the segment needs to be more accurate to ensure viewers are informed about minimum wages around the United States.
Shifting the Focus: From Consumer to System
Food Inc. 2 recognizes that individual consumer choices alone might not be enough to address the systemic issues within the food system. The film showcases initiatives designed to create a more equitable system, empowering viewers to consider systemic solutions beyond their grocery shopping habits.
However, to truly move viewers from the awareness phase to action, a documentary ideally provides clear resources or calls to action, usually pointing you to a website to learn more. Does Food Inc. 2 effectively achieve this? Beyond interviews with activists and leaders working to change the food system, no.
Food Inc. 2's Call to Action
The website outlines several recommendations: eat local, avoid ultra-processed food, reduce meat and dairy consumption, demand protection of farmworkers, end the subminimum wage for tipped workers, talk to your elected officials to enforce antitrust laws and prioritize healthy school meals. While that may sound like action items for viewers initially, only five of these are actionable by viewers, and that's being generous.
These action items assume a lot of the viewer. They primarily assume that viewers can even eat locally, reduce their meat and dairy consumption, or have elected officials who listen to them. On top of that, the website I mentioned earlier is almost intentionally vague about the specific steps viewers can take toward these seven action items. Instead, it opts to showcase data, not resources, which is odd.
Conclusion
Food Inc. 2 is more than just a rehash of the issues raised in the first film. It takes a deeper dive into the complexities of the American food system in 2024. The documentary exposes the alarming increase in corporate control within the industry, highlighting the potential consequences for farmers and consumers alike.
While the film effectively utilizes data in some areas, like the NIH study on ultra-processed foods, the presentation of other data could be improved to avoid generalizations (e.g., minimum wage variations).
Food Inc. 2 recognizes the limitations of individual consumerism and explores potential solutions for creating a fairer food system. It showcases initiatives like Senator Cory Booker's work on access to healthy food options. However, the call to action could be strengthened by providing more concrete resources for viewers seeking to get involved.
Overall, Food Inc. 2 is a thought-provoking documentary that will leave you questioning the food on your plate. It's a valuable watch for anyone concerned about the food industry and its impact on workers, health, and the environment.
★★★
Food Inc. 2 is now available to watch at home on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Movies, Dish Network, Verizon FiOS, Spectrum, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, Cox, and Xfinity.
Until next time!
