This may hurt a bit (Or not - If you are already aware of what I am about to share.)  Pain usually brings about an action.  Sure, you can ignore it and let it fester or you can do something about it.  If you already know about GMO's - genetically modified organisms or GEO's - genetically engineered organisms, big agriculture corporations - both animal and crop productions, the importance of eating local and seasonally, then rock on!  If not, then take a breath and read on...

There is a lot of good hype going around about the documentary film Food, Inc.  When Oprah gets a hold of something you can bet that it will become the "talk" of the web.  And it is a very good thing because Food, Inc. IS the most important film you should will see this year.  If you don't change the way you eat and think about food after seeing it something is seriously wrong.

When you pick up a package of ground beef at the supermarket do you think about where it came from?  I often thought of a beautiful herd of healthy cattle enjoying an afternoon munch on their lush pasture land.  Seriously... I used to think that.  Or when I bought chicken, I imagined chickens enjoying their free range on Farmer Ben's farm.  I think most people have an idealized notion of where their food comes from.  I used to.

The fact is this is NOT the case.  How sad.  In fact, if you really want an idea of where your food comes from and the little variety there is, you must see Food, Inc.  Yes, it can feel overwhelming to make a major change.  The great thing about this change is that you are in control of it.  Take baby steps or go "cold turkey" - no pun intended.  Whatever works for you.  Just don't be too hard on yourself about yesterday.  Do what you can today.  And don't be legalistic because that's no fun.

So here's what you can do now:

• Support local farmers and buy directly from the farm when you can.  This applies to vegetables, meat and dairy.  Get to know personally who is growing and caring for your food.  The government wants to hold small farmers to the same scrutiny as the big ag corps and it's putting them out of business.  We need to support local farmers to insure variety in our food sources.      

• Buy local at farmer's markets.

• Shop at natural foods co-ops and markets that support your food values.

• Grind your own meat.  Turkey, lamb, chicken, beef, bison - whatever your family eats.  The freshness of grinding your own meat is in the taste.  You will be amazed.  I promise.  The best part about it?  You KNOW what goes into it - just the meat - no bones, no skin, no spinal cords, etc.  I shudder to think what goes into the ground meat at the big, conventional slaughter houses.  In a pound of ground meat, think of all the different cows that could potentially be in it. 

• Buy organic, non GMO/GEO foods.

If enough people become concerned or even better outraged about what they are putting into their bodies, change will happen.  Money talks.  If big ag. corps start losing money because people aren't buying their products they will be forced to change.   

I already knew much of what I saw come to life in Food, Inc. so what the film did for me is renew my desire to continue to do what I am doing... it brought to life the realities of conventional produced food... and those pictures have stuck in my mind.  Which is good because sometimes I need an "in your face" reminder.   

This post is part of Fight Back Friday on Food Renegade... Check out more relevant real food posts there.