Has anyone read it? I'm almost done. The author is Jonathan Safran Foer.

I really, really love it. I like that he gets all of the perspectives on veganism/vegetarianism in there. It's not just a book trying to turn you vegetarian.

I actually haven't read Omnivore's Dilemma but it's in my book shelf and next on my list. I assume it's something similar to Eating Animals, as it's referenced a lot.

After reading both Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human (Temple Grandin), and Eating Animals, I have such a good idea of what's going on out there with our food. At least our animal food.

Anyway, it's a great read.

ETA. I'm not posting this trying to convince anyone to change their eating habits. I just thought this book would interest people who liked Omnivore's Dilemma and documentaries like Food, Inc.

Haven't read the book, but have read a bit about it/ a bit about the author.

First off, I agree with his assessment of factory farming.

But there are still roadblocks in the way for small farms that are humane/sustainable. Lots of people push for greater and greater food safety (new food safety act just signed for instance). This brings about loads of regulations that don't allow the little guy to compete with the big guy.

And many current laws just about prohibit small farms from selling their products in the name of food safety). You can't buy milk. you can't even buy eggs in some places. Makes me glad I have the option of just getting them from the chicken coop.

His answer of pushing congress toward more legislation for farms through the HSUS is a bit scary. As is his support for both PETA and HUSU.

I believe in the US the way you are truly going to make a difference is through educating (in a decent, thought provoking manner, not the shock and awe PETA way) people and those people speaking with their wallet. The last thing I want is the government to get more involved - they can't even enforce lots of things they've already got on the books.

There's my 2 cents from what I know about it!

Have you seen the movie about Temple Grandin?

I have not, but isn't she wonderful? Isn't it amazing what she has done even if she was NOT an autistic? Add that in, and she is awe-inspiring.
http://www.templegrandin.com/

I'm proud to say that I copyedit and proof for the house that published Humane Treatment of Farm Animals.

Here's a bit of a talk she did last year at Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sustainable Foods Institute:

http://cookingupastory.com/temple-grandin-humane-tratment-of-farm-animals

 Quote: Lynne Peck

Have you seen the movie about Temple Grandin?

Have you? It's HBO, right? Didn't it win a pile of Emmy Awards? I hope it comes to other networks/channels.

I don't know enough about politics and legislation to form an opinion on how it should be handled. I also don't have any support for PETA/HSUS and don't agree with his support of them either. I am an animal welfare advocate, not animal rights.

But I really like the book for its facts. I do think it's getting the information out there and educating in an effective way instead of the shock and terrorism PETA uses. Maybe because I knew of the food safety issues and environmental damage already, it wasn't entirely shocking to me.

Lynne, I haven't seen it, but I want to!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I have not, but isn't she wonderful? Isn't it amazing what she has done even if she was NOT an autistic? Add that in, and she is awe-inspiring.
http://www.templegrandin.com/

I'm proud to say that I copyedit and proof for the house that published Humane Treatment of Farm Animals.

Here's a bit of a talk she did last year at Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sustainable Foods Institute:

http://cookingupastory.com/temple-grandin-humane-tratment-of-farm-animals

How neat!! I am extremely impressed by her work in that field (well, in pretty much everything actually!)

I am very interested in seeing the movie when it comes to a format that I have access to.

Really, somebody needed to do something about those big feedlots. It is better than it was since Temple Grandin. She has done a ton for the greater good.

 Quote: katie finlay

I don't know enough about politics and legislation to form an opinion on how it should be handled. I also don't have any support for PETA/HSUS and don't agree with his support of them either. I am an animal welfare advocate, not animal rights.

But I really like the book for its facts. I do think it's getting the information out there and educating in an effective way instead of the shock and terrorism PETA uses. Maybe because I knew of the food safety issues and environmental damage already, it wasn't entirely shocking to me.

My huge issue with legislation is all the beaurocracy and special interests involved. And then you have people deciding the laws without having much experience in the field. Like with mandatory Sapy/Neuter laws.

Private measures like Humane Farm Animal Care are an excellant way to start IMO. It allows a person to explain the contrast in farming practices in a very real way and also gives the consumer a solution to the problem - "This is why I chose to buy meat, dairy, eggs from the local farmer instead of the supermarket"

But yup, the bit of the book that I read did good at presenting the very real (horrid) facts of many factory farming practices.

Asking the government to legislate food is like asking the fox to watch the hen house.