The Organic Revolution

What is your favorite breakfast. On most occasions I reach for oatmeal with strawberries and honey. What is your kid’s favorite breakfast? Do you know where the ingredients came from and how they were kept fresh? How long have their traveled to get to you?

Food Beware is a french documentary which states facts about the effect of pesticides on our environment and food. Its aim is to put attention on the health of our children. Many parents are not aware of the benefits in switching to organic and locally grown foods. The documentary shows a small French town that is trying to change that and it all started with the mayor deciding to make the school lunch menu organic and locally grown. This seems to be working out perfectly for everyone. They are boosting the local economy, saving the environment but the children are also behind the change and grown a small garden of their own. They love the food and are making their parents aware of its benefits.

I was sent a copy of the film and my favorite part was the children planting their garden, it reminded me of my school in Slovakia. We were required to take an environmental course, during which we would plant our own garden and dividing the responsibility amongst each other. Back then organic food was not a huge deal to the people in my town as everyone had a small garden of their own. Today times are changing but you can still find quality organic and locally grown foods in Slovakia, it is more of a given rather than a luxury. In United States, depending on where you live, the case is a bit different. People sometimes have to be convinced because organic food is new to them and it can be pricey. Living in the city can also be a challenge because there is no space to grow a garden, there are options however and when presented with one I would hope you take it.

The chilling facts in the film were most definitely eye-opening. The food industry is responsible for 30% of our environmental problems, products that can be bought and made locally should stay that way. Pesticides and other unknown chemicals in food, and yes that goes for healthy foods as well, is responsible for the decline in our children’s health and causes health problems, such as cancer and infertility. I want to know where my food comes from, how it was handled, who handled it and what chemicals were used to keep it fresh. The hidden dangers in food are not seen until it is too late.

We have to take matters into our own hands to keep the next generation healthy.  If we fail, we are going to be blamed for future problems that are sure to get out of control.  All it takes is educating yourself on your local and global industry, the foods you are eating and taking small simple steps to fix the problem.

Food Beware, the French Organic Revolution by Jean-Paul Jaud will come out in New York’s Quad Cinema tomorrow, October 16-22. It will also be released