Using "Food, Inc." Documentary Film in the Classroom

"Food, Inc." is a 2008 documentary that explores America's corporate-controlled food industry. "Food, Inc." looks at genetically modified foods, corporate farms, health conditions and other dangerous industry practices. Educators, "Food, Inc." provides resources for health, economics and science classes. "Food, Inc." has practical applications for government, civics, marketing, business and sociology classes also.

In 1906, Upton Sinclair wrote a novel/ expose called "The Jungle" about conditions in slaughterhouse and meat-packing houses. "The Jungle" revealed horrific working conditions for employees, mostly immigrants. What Sinclair's novel did for working conditons, "Food, Inc." does for the entire food industry. "Food, Inc." examines corporate farm practices that including random dousing with antibiotics, over-use of toxic pesticides and herbicides, and genetically modified foods. The film looks at the inhuman treatment of animals and the unsanitary, unhealthy and unsafe conditions in food production plants. "Food, inc." explores avenues that can lead us to healthier food choices.

Some teachers may be reluctant to show "Food, Inc." because it contains some graphic scenes, especially with respect to animal torture. "Food, Inc." is well researched and documented. There is a difference between showing factual, albeit disturbing images and using films that are needlessly sensationalized and graphic. Director Robert Kenner references Eric Schlosser'sFast Food Nation (both book and 2006 movie), Stoneyfield Farm (an organic food manufacturer) Gary Hirschberg, Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm (another forward thinking advocate for healthier food) and Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. Each of these collaborators maintain websites with many helpful references for educators. "Food, Inc." provides helpful downloads, printables and materials for classroom use.

However, If you plan to use "Food, Inc." in your classroom, it's important to consider the age and maturity of your students. It's advisable to get parental permission to show the film to students, particularly in middle school. Prepare students for viewing and alert parents about film content. Parents are generally willing to accept a teacher's decision to show a film if they have been made aware of the content ahead of time. When our daughter was in sixth grade, her teacher showed "The Cove" in class without telling parents. This film depicts graphic images of dolphins being slaughtered. Our daughter came home in tears; had we been informed that students would be viewing such a documentary, we could have prepared her for it.

Here are some lesson ideas, geared primarily toward high school, to incorporate "Food, Inc." into the classroom. Use "Food, Inc." as a background for discussion, debate, further research and reading. Do a comparison/ contrast between "The Jungle" or "Silent Spring" (Rachel Carson) and "Food, Inc.". Assign students to read the books listed in the film and look for other literature on the topic. Explore other companies, like Bragg, Lifeway and others that are committed to providing healthier food. Host a food symposium for students in the cafeteria, presenting information about nutrition and health. Provide panel discussions and Q & A sessions to inform students about food choices. Stage public debates. Present a film series using "Food, Inc.", "Super Size Me", "Meet Your Meat", "Unwrapped" and other food based films and television shows. Host an organic food tasting. Prepare several vegan or vegetarian dishes and serve samples to students. "Food, Inc." provides opportunities for students to get involved also.

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