Commentary. 

In this column a couple of weeks ago, I told you that I had recently listened to the producer of the movie Food Inc. speak at an ag conference. I wrote that Mr. Kenner did not blink when he told a room full of ag journalists that salmonella and e coli did not exist 40 years ago. I said that this very nice and very talented man believed something that he was told by someone whose aim it was to convince him and the masses he could reach as a movie producer, that modern animal agriculture has created frightening bacterial diseases.

The 2008 documentary, which received dozens of awards, concludes that the American agriculture system produces food that is unhealthy, environmentally irresponsible and largely unsustainable. This same documentary has influenced food policy discussions at the local, state and national level.

Although a few farmers were interviewed and featured in the film, and I appreciate and respect their viewpoint, there was a general lack of perspective from the overall ag industry in the film. When asked why there was so little input from farmers and companies in the film, Kenner told us that he had a very hard time finding farmers and companies who would agree to be interviewed for the documentary.

My assumption is that those farmers and companies who refused to appear on camera were afraid that their words would be “twisted.” Kenner is an acclaimed documentary film maker, which means he is very good at what he does. However, knowing the theme of the movie, why would a farmer or company step up to risk being condemned in the public eye?

The bottom line is that those who see this film are not getting the whole picture. Those who see this film are watching and listening as conclusions are reached without a great deal of input from farmers and ranchers who take pride in producing a safe, affordable and nutritious food supply.

If you haven’t seen the film, you should. Why? Because if, and more likely when, you find yourself in a situation like I did last week, you’ll be prepared.

My company was hosting an event in the trendy Power and Light District in Kansas City, Mo. when a 20-something young man not associated with our event struck up a conversation with me. He was smart and well-spoken and asked a lot of questions. One of those questions was, “Have you seen the movie Food, Inc.?” I said yes, I had, and he proceeded to tell me how seeing that movie had transformed the way he looks at his food today. He would never – ever – consider buying beef at the supermarket and refuses to drink milk ‘containing hormones.’

I took a deep breath, and began to ask him questions. Once I had enough information as to why he had made these choices, I told him that I respect his decisions, then went on to I explain away some of his misconceptions about meat and milk. When I felt like I had given him enough food for thought and explained that all milk contains hormones, I closed by suggesting that Food, Inc. did not give viewers the “whole story.”

My new-found friend leaned back, crossed his arms, and asked the million-dollar question, “Where is THAT documentary?”

I wish I had an answer.