Food Inc. Discussion - TakePart

In this factory farming model, a single corporation may own or control all aspects
of the chicken production process, from animal rearing and feed production to
slaughter, packaging, and distribution. A corporation may also contract farmers
in an arrangement where the corporation determines all aspects of raising the
animals, while the farmer is responsible for the capital expenditures, the waste
disposal, and much of the risk.
As the film depicts, the transition to factory farming took place partly in response
to our society’s move to fast food. As people came to expect food that was
inexpensive and unvarying in quality and taste, the food industry looked for
ways to produce the food as efficiently and uniformly as possible. Unfortunately,
while industrially produced food appears inexpensive, the price we pay at the
cash register doesn’t reflect its true cost. Factory farming creates a tremendous
amount of water and air pollution, can be detrimental to public health, and relies
on government subsidies—all costs our society bears.
Factory farming also clearly affects the animals. In the factory farm, the animal
is considered a unit of production rather than a living creature, and efficiency
and earnings often outweigh animal health and welfare. People have differing
views on how much comfort and freedom farm animals deserve. Some would say
that to keep food inexpensive, animals should be raised in the most efficient and
cost-effective way possible. Others would argue that animals should not suffer
needlessly and that they should have a certain level of cleanliness and space.
O P E N E R
Before showing the film chapter, distribute copies of the Lunch Survey student
handout on page 28 to complete. Ask students to share some of the factors they
considered when deciding what to eat for lunch. Ask: If everyone is looking for
similar things in their food—for example, that food be cheap and easy to get—
how might that affect what food is available? In what ways might that affect how
food is grown and produced?
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