What goes on in the world of food media and marketing? Are we content to be treated as mindless children? walking wallets? elitist foodies devouring endangered species?
Alice Waters included sharks fin in her wish list for a final meal and was soundly berated for being insensitive. Hell, I want some of those Ortolan little birdies that Mitterrand ate for his last meal. I want them…but I’m not getting them. People, could we please just get a grip?
I know. I’m trivializing important food issues, but what goes on in the world of food media and marketing is really frustrating and demoralizing. Are we content to be treated as mindless children? walking wallets? elitist foodies devouring endangered species?
Or worse: have we lost our sense of humor??
Alice Waters included sharks fin in her wish list for a final meal and was soundly berated for being insensitive. Hell, I want some of those Ortolan little birdies that Mitterrand ate for his last meal. I want them…but I’m not getting them. People, could we please just get a grip?
Slow Food sent around a petition regarding Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD. It’s not about the collapse of the American colonies …it’s about bees. Here’s the quote: “The Environmental Protection Agency has the power to investigate and ban the pesticides thought to be responsible but, despite their own scientists' advice and under pressure from pesticides companies, they're dragging their feet.” [emphasis by Slow Food]
This is scare mongering. Slow Food is laying a blanket denunciation on all pesticides. If you go onto their various websites, there is now a more moderate tone suggesting there may be multiple reasons for CCD. But, that won’t get names on a petition, will it?
Whole Foods issued a cheery 5 step rating system for animal slaughter, only it’s more about making the consumer feel good, than it is about being able to comply.
The reality is that it's a very bad idea to have bulls around that aren’t castrated. They get really feisty and will injure each other if a pretty Bessie happens to stroll by.
There are also the legal problems associated with on farm slaughter. Most states don’t allow it, or allow it only for at home consumption, or there are significant limits on the number of animals to be slaughtered. It is a state by state ruling. So, is Whole Foods only going to source from one state? One farm? Not likely.
And what is up with pigs and bowling balls?? Apparently it’s a wonderful thing to throw bowling balls in with the pigs so they have something to do. This is natural? Italian pig famers would laugh themselves silly. Then again, bowling isn't very popular in Italy. Maybe the farmers could start a trend.
People, we need to face some facts. There are lots of hungry mouths in the world, more on the way and we all need to eat. While slow, local and organic is wonderful, and the way I like to eat, it is a choice. I buy organic when I feel it’s worth it.
So could we scale down the rhetoric and start coming up with some truly viable solutions?
And to the guys at Whole Foods and Slow Foods….don’t treat us like children. Talk to us about the problems, the challenges, the realities, and we’ll like you a whole lot better in the morning.