Reading Rainbow: Omnivore’s Dilemma

“Whatever we may have liked about the era of cheap, oil-based food, it is drawing to a close. Even if we were willing to continue paying the environmental or public-health price, we’re not going to have the cheap energy (or the water) needed to keep the system going, much less expand production. But as is so often the case, a crisis provides opportunity for reform, and the current food crisis presents opportunities that must be seized.”

“…tear out five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden.”

- Michael Pollan, “Farmer in Chief,” The New York Times, October 12, 2008.

After Michael Pollan’s October article in The New York Times, I made a mental note to read his books, The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food. After his inspiring interview on Bill Moyer’s Journal, I put a star next to that mental note. Then, when the White House announced they were tearing up some of the South Lawn for a garden, I said, “DUDE! OK ALREADY. I WILL READ YOUR FREAKIN’ BOOK!”

Well, Mr. Pollan, I’m sorry I yelled at you. I read your book, and I liked it a lot. But now when I walk into the grocery store, I see row upon row of processed corn dripping poisonous pesticidal grime. In the produce aisles I see out of season vegetables drowning polar bears in the melting Arctic. And when I pass McDonald’s, I see the children of our nation’s founders wallowing in type 2 diabetes and their own adipose tissue.

Hyperbole aside, I appreciate Mr. Pollan’s even-handedness. While expounding the problems of industrial food practices (which are MANY), he also explores the contradictions of the industrial organic movement (Whole Foods), and the limitations of locally grown foods (e.g. I shouldn’t expect fresh tomatoes in January. BOO). He explains the challenges of eating ethically but provides the impetus for doing so through simple exploration of our current food system.

This is the most influential book I’ve read in a while, and I’m making some changes. 1) I’m growing basil, chives and tomatoes on our tiny balcony (a somewhat pathetic but well-intentioned token of self-sufficiency). 2) I’m cutting back on CAFO meat (SO happy to be dating a vegetarian – maybe it will finally rub off on me). And 3) I’ll try to rely more on the local farmer’s market for seasonal produce, eggs, dairy & grass-fed meats than the grocery store.

BONUS ROUND

4) I will fill our bathtub with soil and being growing squash, green beans, bananas and pineapple trees (joke – no such thing).
5) I will become an insufferable critic of the lunch choices of my boss and co-workers. (A BANANA, BOB! Do you know they have to ship that all the way…)
6) I will knock Big Macs out of the hands of tourists and replace them with homemade bread and leafy greens grown locally (not to exceed a stone’s throw away from the U.S. Capitol Building.)
7) I will send barrels of high fructose corn syrup and caged poultry to all 50 senators to help them visualize the tragedy that is the industrialized food system.

COME ON PEOPLE! I AM THE FOOD REVOLUTION (AND SO CAN YOU!)