The Omnivore's Dilemma Chp. 16

Chapter sixteen of The Omnivore’s Dilemma mimics the title of the book and for good reason. In this chapter, Pollan finally gets to what the dilemma of the omnivore truly is. After reading this chapter, I felt like I could relate to it because it really made perfect sense, our nation really does have a “national eating disorder.” Unlike animals, humans face a dilemma every time they choose what foods to eat and many questions are raised. Does this new fad diet really work? Are the rumors about McDonald’s meat really true? Should I go organic or not? Even I have found myself asking more questions about what I am choosing to eat, especially after reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

I found it particularly interesting when Pollan mentioned the food culture of France in this chapter. While Americans are constantly worried about the next fad diet, the French keep it traditional by eating unhealthy foods only in moderation and by having every meal be a “long, leisurely affair” that is truly enjoyed with friends and family. Obviously they are doing something right because the obesity rates in France are far lower than in America. Personally, I would love to try the French style of eating, especially when it comes to cherishing meal times more. It seems to be a trend in America that most families are far too busy to actually sit down and have a meal together, and it’s a sad reality. What we eat has been too heavily influenced by advertising, the government, and fad diets, and I think meal time would be so much more enjoyable if we relied on our own intuition and what feels right to us.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Chp. 8, 10 & 11

After reading chapter 8 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I found the whole idea of “grass farming,” as done by Joel Salatin on Polyface farms, very interesting. From what Pollan described, Polyface farms is like a green oasis. With the green pastures and rolling hills placed right in the middle of a forest, it is everything I want to picture when I think of where my meat and dairy products come from. I learned that grass farming is not literally farming grass, but actually a complex system that involves a whole series of animals to make Polyface farms both unique and extremely efficient.
Although I found the whole process that the chickens go through of eating maggots from the cow patties disgusting, I was surprised to learn that this actually sanitizes the fields, eliminating the need for harmful chemical parasiticides for the cattle. As a result, Polyface produces meat that is healthy and all natural. Additionally, the alternative farm does not have to worry about the spread of disease among cattle. Chapter 11 further illustrated the entire animal cycle. After reading about this unique way of farming, it makes me skeptical of buying products from big industrial farms because their production tactics are not only less efficient, but also not as safe and far worse for the environment.

Omnivore's Dilemma: Week 3

I find that the more I read The Omnivore’s Dilemma, the more I have learned to like it because I actually feel like I am learning something, specifically what foods are the best to eat. The chapter on chicken slaughter was no exception. As grueling as it was to read because of some of the details made my stomach churn, I learned how much of a difference it makes when meat is sold directly from farmer to consumer. I was fascinated by the fact that Polyface farms does all of their chicken slaughtering in an open-air shelter, unlike the many farms that ship their chickens off to be slaughtered behind unsanitary industrial walls where mad cow disease and E. Coli run rampant. How great the assurance to Polyface consumers must be to know exactly how their chickens are slaughtered. I can easily understand why they would want to pay more or even drive 150 miles one way to buy meat they can trust.
I know if there was a farm like Polyface at my convenience, I would readily hand over the extra cash to not only support a local farm, but rest at peace knowing that my meat is as pure as it gets. I can’t wait to see the growth of this type of farming in the future, and I truly believe that popular supermarket meat brands like Tyson will continue to steadily lose business as America discovers just how good getting meat in an alternative way can be.

Peer Reviewed Article

Parker, Betty J. "Exploring Life Themes and Myths in Alcohol Advertisements through a Meaning-Based Model of Advertising Experiences." Journal of Advertising, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Spring 1998), pp. 97-112.

Published by: M.E. Sharpe, Inc.