Eating Animals

If you have read any of Jonathan Safran Foer's other books, you know that this is a thoughtful, intellectual, well-written book. It is also profoundly personal and surprisingly balanced. 

On the brink of fatherhood, sometimes vegetarian Foer goes on a quest to examine where our grocery store meats come from. What he finds is a secretive industry of unsanitary and cruel conditions and borderline quality products. The factory farming industry rebukes him at every turn and he finds that the laws support their actions. 

However, their are glimmers of hope. Foer finds a strong-willed minority of farmers who are raising meat in a radically different way. Many, but not all, of these farmers use organic practices and provide meat to a niche market. The demand for grass fed, free-range, organically raised meats is growing and it is this method of farming that Foer embraces. Although torn between a vegetarian lifestyle and meat-eating, the author ultimately concludes that for meat eaters sustainable farming practices are the most acceptable source. 

He also advocate activism against the factory farming industry. Big meat and big grain have such a powerful congressional lobby that laws are being written to destroy sustainable farms. This is detrimental to the health and well being of all Americans as well as decimating our farm lands and water sources. Even if you ultimately decide to continue to consume animal products, consider the life those animals were given and the processing methods the meats go through before reaching your table. We are all responsible for the quality of our food supply. 

http://www.eatinganimals.com/