July’s Green Read: The Omnivore’s Dilemma

In the bestselling book, Omnivore’s Dilemma, author Michael Pollan takes the reader on an epic, surprisingly gripping journey through the American food chain of yesterday, today and tomorrow. With the industrial age came the beginning of industrial agriculture and a completely altered food economy. Pollan digs deep into this immense shift asking the tough questions and visiting even tougher places in order to shed some light on the ways in which we grow, purchase and consume our food today.

His journey begins in conversation on the cornfields of Iowa and ends foraging in the backwoods of northern California. Along the way he digs deep to the bottom of the food chain to answer the questions and missing links that have completely disconnected us from the food that becomes us. For instance, when and how did America become so addicted to corn? How does the life of a feedlot cow compare to a grass fed, pastured cow? Why is fast food so darn tasty even though it’s killing some of us? And if you wanted to truly “make” your own meal – what would that entail? This book is for anyone who is interested in the philosophy and history of food or who simply wants to know – what the heck is really on my plate?

Michael Pollan has recently put out a film on his findings called Food Inc. Check movie listings to see if it is playing near you or read the review.