The Omnivores Dilemma

Takes the readers through a journey up and down the food chain, one that might change the way people read the label on a frozen dinner, dig into a steak or decide whether to buy organic eggs

www.michaelpollan.com

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By reviewer cecilia 2007-02-07 20:22:16

For any of us who cares about what we eat and how our choices affect ourselves and the broader society, this is a must read book. Michael Pollan is an excellent writer. Even my favorite organic citrus vendor at the local farmers' market has read this book and found it informative, insightful and well written. This book prompts me to put some thoughts every time I pick up a piece of produce - who grows the produce, how much energy / chemicals goes into its production, is it healthy for me and the environment, etc. It teaches me to be a better consumer so I can vote with my wallet for food products that taste good and feel like the responsible choices to me.

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By reviewer SydneyK 2007-02-17 23:23:48

I heard a radio interview program with Michael Pollan a while ago and was very impressed with his rational and methodical approach to conducting research and writing The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I have finally got around to read the book and am thoroughly impressed. Though I consider myself reasonably curious and knowledgeable when it comes to food, I’ve learned so much from the book. “USDA certified Organic” isn’t end all be all. Poly-face farms which integrate diverse crops with varied animal husbandry are way more environmentally friendly and sustainable than industrialized Organic farms. “Free range” chicken means absolutely nothing. Twenty thousand of them live in a football field sized enclosure for the first 5 weeks of their lives. Then one day the gates on the two ends of the enclosure open up and the chickens are too scared to venture out. Then at seventh week, they become dinner. Other than allowing the folks use market under that phase to collect more money from unknowing consumers, “free range” is completely meaningless. Pollan also dedicated a chapter to catching, slaughtering and cooking his dinner (a wild boar). While you will not catch me chase after a wild animal for my next meal, I completely appreciate the thoughtfulness he put into the experience. We are so far removed from our food and a lot of us choose to exercise self-denial when it comes to food. To me, there is all the more reason for us to know how and where our food is grown and raised. If you saw how much chemicals conventional farmers spray on the apples, would you bite into it with the thought of “an apple a day keeps the doctors away”? If you saw how sick the cattle are before they are slaughtered, would you still happily chow down your fillet mignon? At least 3 times a day, we fuel ourselves with food. I’d like to know that every bite that I deliver to my body is good for me and is not poisoning the earth. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if one does not care to know about the concept of organic or local sourced food.

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