At the beginning of this year, I made a conscious decision to take a step back from food politics. I realized that it wasn’t necessary to be so centered and focused on what’s wrong with our industrial food system. Instead, to rejoice and find the blessings that we have in local family farmers and grass roots, non-profit organizations making a difference within each of our communities. I still, however, believe in the power of research as knowledge truly is power.
Over the past few years, the truths of our industrial food system have been uncovered. Documentaries such as Food Inc. and King Korn have shown the greater population where our food really comes from. Advocates such as Michael Pollan and Joel Salatin have empowered many of us to make better decisions on where we source our food. High powered media such as Oprah and Jamie Oliver have spoken freely across the nation on the importance of cooking at home and eating “real” food.
It comes to no surprise that many of us across the coasts have made changes in where we source our food. Organic food products are the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Although a small percentage as compared to industrial food, the demand is putting more organic family farmers back to the land. We’ve made changes to cut out processed foods and dangerous refined sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup. Other countries are seeing the changes and implementing regulations abroad. In 2012, the European Union will adopt a no batter cage law to be implemented for all large scale chicken houses. There are huge changes being made globally because we are dying of obesity related illnesses.
- 1 out of 3 children are obese
- 2/3 of our population is obese, that’s over 190 million Americans
- Obesity related diseases are a $147 billion dollar medical burden every year
The culprit? Food. It’s not a one kind of food that’s making us obese and causing us to spend billions of dollars on medical bills. It’s a combination of eating fast food, processed foods made of refined corn and soybeans and eating meat raised on gmo grains and pumped with antibiotics.
- 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are for our confined farm animals.
Our eyes are being awakened. As more and more people are choosing local, reading labels and voting with their dollars, big ag is being effected. Their is a larger awareness of high fructose corn syrup and processed foods in general. Reputations are being tainted and large corporations are losing money. As more people are seeking out products made with real ingredients, the Corn Refiners Association is fighting to re-establish a value in their name.
Being from Iowa, I found it disturbing that the Corn Refiners Association gathered a group of mommy and food bloggers to give them a tour of Iowa farms in MY state.
Iowa CORNucopia Tour Attendees:
Name: Allison
Blog: http://findinginspirationinfood.blogspot.com
Twitter: @crazystar_allie
Name: Laurie
Blog: http://www.doublebugs.com
Twitter: @Laurie2008
Name: Lisa
Blog: http://jerseygirlcooks.blogspot.com
Twitter: @jerseygirlcooks
Name: Shanda
Blog: http://www.theparentswithstyle.com
Twitter: @ShandaBauman
Name: Susan
Blog: http://www.doughmesstic.net
Twitter: @doughmesstic
Name: Tanya
Blog: http://www.mommygoggles.com
Twitter: @mommygoggles
They were provided with all travel expenses fully paid and compensated in technicality to spread a good message for refined products and processed foods all at the same time spreading blatant lies about the organic movement via twitter.
mommygoggles Tanya ✓ © ☮ ❤
People dont want to point the finger at themselves for obesity. Its just easier to blame HFCS than themselves. Moderation. Truth#IACorntour
doughmesstic doughmesstic
The matter of it comes down to feeding the US,at the prices we can afford.Yes, science is involved,I understand this. Evolution.#iacorntour
doughmesstic doughmesstic
Yes, @iowacornpr paid for #iacorntour. But it takes guts to invite mouthy moms into your world & show them what u are about. Honorable folks
doughmesstic doughmesstic
There’s nothing wrong with organic food farming…but it’s not what we all might think. Glad I’ve learned what I have. #iacorntour
chefdruck chefdruck
@Milehimama Contamination and conservation has been biggest concern for the farmers we’ve met with. Didn’t expect that.#iacorntour
mommygoggles Tanya ✓ © ☮ ❤
There’s chemicals in your drinking, tap, and fountain water. Guess what? Water is processed too. #IACorntour
This move to counteract the negative feelings towards refined foods including HFCS is not transparent, it’s blatant! The Corn Refiners Association knows that social media is one of the strongest advertising mediums in todays society. They understand that more people are swayed and open to trust personal blogs than tv commercials. What I don’t understand is how some of these food bloggers went along with it.
What these bloggers don’t understand is that our industrial food system is driven by dollars. They were shown a happy farm with happy animals. Heck, they were taken to a racetrack with cars fueled by ethanol and dined at a local wine house. What they didn’t show them are the hundreds of family farmers driven off the land in order to grow more corn and soybeans. What they didn’t show them are the pesticides and herbicides being sprayed annually. Of course contamination and conservation is one of their biggest concerns. They are polluting our water and our air!
I am from Iowa. My husband’s grandfather is a family farmer growing commodity crops. I love him and place no blame on any farmer growing crops to provide for their family. However, it must be known that farmers growing their crops make their money from government subsidies. In order to understand the reality of our commodity crops, I encourage you to watch King Korn. We’re not feeding the world with our corn and soybeans, we’re feeding our animals grains with the crops. We’re refining the crops into processed foods and it’s created a world wide epidemic of obesity.
It’s very true, all in moderation. However, to attack organic standards and family farmers working double duty to provide us with real food is against all integrity. I think what has upset me the most is the misrepresentation of Iowa. It’s no lie that the vast majority of what we grow is commodity crops. However, our local foods movement is strong and growing.
We have key organizations working for the people. Groups like Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement are constantly battling against factory farms and fighting for clean air and water. The Practical Farmers of Iowa work to bring farmers back to the land and to diversify. The Local Foods Connection, Buy Fresh Buy Local Iowa and all of our farmers markets are bringing real foods back to our communities. Our countless Family Farmers are pasturing their animals and excelling! They are turning heads that raising animals as God intended is keeping them on their land. This entire movement is making farming a viable career option to our youth. As you can tell, Iowa may be the mecca of the industrial food system but it’s also known that in this decade, Iowa will be the number one provider of organic foods! Iowa State University is one of the top schools in the nation for organic research. There is an annual organic conference with top scientists, researchers and professors. If you believe for one second that this isn’t effecting the industrial system, you are mistaken. They know what they are up against and it’s in where we spend our money which will make a difference for future generations.
So why wasn’t I invited to the Iowa Corn Tour? I think because I would have led these bloggers on a different path. I would have shown them the acres and acres of corn and I would have shown them all the empty farm houses that lie between them. I would have shown them the CAFO’s that lie in our fields and the toxic waste that is created and pollutes our water sources and air. I would have then taken them to visit some of these families directly affected in terms of their health. Yes, living next to a CAFO is now proving to create illness. Studies have found hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter concentrations at unsafe levels in and around CAFO’s. I would have then taken them to meet farmers working to make a difference, to meet people fighting for the well being of our communities and organizations working to provide us with real food. Hmm… maybe a Real Iowa Tour is what is needed!
Mommy and food bloggers, I ask that you truly research both sides of the stance before you blatantly take a free ride and spread viral messages that can influence others. Please, inform yourselves before hindering the hard work of so many to benefit our future generations. Let’s get off the processed foods and fight for our health and well being. That can only be done by eating REAL food and supporting our local family farmers and organic movements.
Other posts of interest:
Other posts of interest:
Cookin' Canuck says
This is a gutsy post, Diana and I am glad you are pointing out many of the truths that are so obvious to you in the area you live. All of us have the obligation and right to find out what is right and wrong in the messages being presented to us by large corporations.
Chow and Chatter says
I agree with Cookin Canuck this takes guts but I love you for it and standing up for what you believe in POM recently did the same thing I was invited its a great product but they just use bloggers to sell product I made some jokes with some bloggers on twitter about it saying they are getting great mileage out of it and the one I tweeted to didn't reply to me!
love ya
Emily @ Foodie/Nutritionist says
This is a great post, you make a really good argument! I thought the same thing when I read about these tours. It is not so much what was SHOWN to the tour-ers, but what was overlooked. As a dietitian the overproduction and overconsumption of these commodity crops is a big concern to me, especially since they are used primarily to feed the production of highly processed foods and a meat industry that is destructive to both the environment and our health. It was definitely gutsy, but it was right on and needs to be said. I vote YES on the Real Iowa tour! Make your own movement out of it 😉
Marla {family fresh cooking} says
Thanks for speaking your mind. I'll sign up for your tour any day! I was invited to the Corn Tour, but opted out. Over here we go with real, unprocessed ingredients. I don't claim perfection, but I always try my best to use whole food, fresh ingredients that are mostly organic.
Great post & keep up the great work spreading the message.
Michelle (What's Cooking) says
Oh my gosh – I don't even know you but I want to hug you right now. Thank you for speaking up and having the guts to say this. Years ago, I went on my one and only blogging trip to an undisclosed location to see their new sustainability center. I told them that I would ask them hard questions. I wouldn't be an easy sell. I did not want to be under any obligation to drink the Kool-aid or encourage others to do the same. I am glad I stuck to my guns – but it's probably the same reason I haven't been on any trips since. That's okay. I am proud to support real food, farmers and the environment. The trip you write about here amazes me…and saddens me. Time for us to speak out more often and make more noise!
Melissa {The Fresh 20} says
The truth is out there. Thanks for redirecting people to it. We all need less processed food in our kitchens. Food shouldn't be a product. I agree with Marla. Eat fresh!
Robyn says
I read a post from one of the bloggers you mention above. I was extremely disappointed at her level of integrity. A few shiny baubles, a ride in a fast car was all it took to sell her processed soul to the GMO gods. Yes, I'm harsh. I made a decision a few years ago to quit blogging about major brands and shed light on the GMO problems with the American food supply. It was the kiss of death for my blog. People didn't want to know the truth. Because if they do, it makes them responsible.
I too was recently invited on a farm tour. I chose to go because they have an honest food to sell. I have no problem telling their story because that's what I do as a blogger. I talk to farmers, and give voice to what they grow and sell. I don't do ads, BlogHer or otherwise. I'll take a trip any day that I get to talk about the farm, farmers and their families. However, I will not tout a story of GMO products. I doubt I'll be afforded the opportunity to go on a tour with a GMO product.
I applaud your courage to stand up and be counted. I do think that the Michael Pollans and Joel Salatins of the world have made it much easier to take that stand. We all have a line to draw as bloggers. We are journalists in our own right and it is difficult to see how we are manipulated by companies to garner traffic and support. I guess what is important, is that when an ad does appear, or when we participate in a contest, give-away or anything promo related that it is a product we can stand behind and support.
I applaud your stand. I stand with you. And continue to hope more bloggers will be loud and willing to tell the same story.
My Persian Kitchen says
I applaud you for writing this post. This country's addition to corn is simply ridiculous. It's important for people like you who are in the know to share the truth and share with the rest how certain farm practices are conducted. It is important for people to also realize the importance of eating fresh fruits and veggies that are grown locally. So you go girl!
Damaris says
Thank you to the moon and back for writing this post. For taking time away from your busy life, from the great work you do as a mama to your boys to write this post!
More and more I get PR requests. Bottle water ones to be exacts. Tons of bottles water PR requests. It's lame and I've started deleting them. No I don't want to write a post about your botttled water just because you're willing to send me a box with 4 bottled water. And no, I won't take a pictures of my son drinking your bottled water. I don't believe in bottled water!
It makes me so sad how so many powerful mommy bloggers sell their voice for so cheap and to such horrible causes.
Thanks for shedding light on such an important topic!
Wendy (The Local Cook) says
I don't know that it's selling out vs. they honestly don't know better. Thanks for posting this! Hopefully we can help educate people. I try to take the positive approach you mentioned – find those organizations that ARE doing good and celebrate those.
Winnie says
Thank you for writing this post Diana. You and I both know why they didn't invite you (or me, for that matter)! Because we're on the other side, and would NEVER tweet messages like the above, or post anything favorable. It's completely sleezy that this whole thing took place as far as I'm concerned. But I'm kind of just against these trips in general, even if sponsored by the most organic, natural product out there…it's just something I view as problematic on a lot of levels. When the tweets get posted from these trips, they just seems so calculated. Like tweeting a script or something, and it disturbs me.
On a related note, I made a conscious decision recently that I don't want to do giveaways or reviews in exchange for free products anymore. I am not begrudging anyone else's choice to do so, it just no longer feels right to me…because it makes me feel a combination of used and trapped. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but that's how I feel.
I don't want free stuff (or free trips) in exchange for saying nice things about products…again, others can certainly choose differently, and I respect their right to make that choice.
Blogging doesn't pay much, so it's very tempting to accept freebies. I just wish bloggers would think more carefully about what they do/say in exchange for those freebies.
Christy says
Awesome Diana! Such a well thought out and important post. It is so easy to be "bought" I watch the "corn sugar" commercials and you can see how they are so convincing.
Mexico in my kitchen says
I wish, I can hug you right now.
Bravo for you! I had been there in the middle of the Iowa corn field where hundreds of acres are planted with corn but not many farms around. And yes, there is a lot of politics around it but few decide to take stand.
You rock girl!
Un abrazo,
Mely
Molly On Money says
I just read your post to all my house guests which is stirring a great conversation!
Thanks for this post. I wish you had been invited and I wished Marla had taken them up on the invitation.
My ex-husbands family are crop pickers in CA. The work is hard and the pay is barely over a livable wage (some get paid min. wage!).
As consumers, we must educate ourselves and make smarter choices!
Thanks for the post!!!
Maggy@ThreeManyCooks says
Awesome post, much respect. I wonder if a trip to a corn farm was really worth promoting HFCS. I mean, spa and beach hotel? Maybe. Corn farm? No.
juliecache says
i totally support you. my in-laws also have a farming background, and they think they did a good job and raised good healthy food during their days on the farm. however, they refuse to budge from their ignorance. no amount of information will sway them to change their lifestyle.
I were invited on the tour, I don't know that I would have accepted.
kitchengeeking says
Amen sister! Thanks for this. Now I have a good foundation piece at which to point when making my case.
knownbyname says
Preach it, sister! I'm so proud of you!
Hey – readers – let's make sure that we make this one of the widest read blog posts in cyberspace this week, okay?
Therese (CRA) says
I think it is first important to clarify that we (Corn Refiners Association) were the group that reached out to the bloggers through Mom Central and conducted the webinar on added sugars. I was also the person at the Type A Mom conference representing the Corn Refiners Association. The National Corn Growers Association is a separate entity from the Corn Refiners Association, although we are supportive of their efforts. The National Corn Growers Association is the group that conducted the Iowa Corn Tour.
On this note, please know that we have an open door policy, and if you need information or details for a post you are going to write, you can reach out to me at [email protected] to receive a response.
This is going to be a little bit long, as you have a long list of concerns you are expressing.
I think it is important to point out, that there are two sides to every story, and I believe that the bloggers who went on this tour, and those who attended the webinar presented by the Corn Refiners Association are the ones who wanted to hear both sides of the story. On this note, some documentaries only show one side of the story that fits their goals and the message that they wish to convey; and these documentaries are also frequently funded by those who have an interest that aligns with the messaging in the documentary. For example you can see the funders of King Corn at http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/credits.html
Obesity has also been correlated with our portion sizes; secondly there are more factors to obesity than simply the food we eat. For example, in the past 35 years, daily calorie intake for the average American has risen 25%. While energy from cereals/flour and fats rose by 200 and 300 calories/day, respectively, during this period, energy from sugars increased by 55 calories/day.
There was a report published in the August 2007 – “Issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.” (Forshee RA, Storey ML, Allison DB, Glinsmann WH, Hein GL, Lineback DR, Miller SA, Nicklas TA, Weaver GA, White JS. 2007. A Critical Examination of the Evidence Relating High Fructose Corn Syrup and Weight Gain. (Disclosure: One of the authors is Dr. John White, an independent expert on sweeteners, who has provided his expertise to the Corn Refiners as a consultant).
The report found that there are many other “plausible explanations for rising overweight and obesity rates” in the United States, listing such factors as “a decrease in smoking; an increase in sedentary occupations; an increase in two-income households and single-parent households; transportation and infrastructure changes that discourage physical activity; a decrease in PE classes and extracurricular sports programs in schools; an increase in sedentary forms of entertainment (i.e. TV/movie viewing, video games, etc.); demographic changes (i.e. aging population, immigration, etc.); a decrease in food costs with increase in food availability; and changes in food consumption patterns.”
One of my colleagues Cassandra, who comes from a fifth generation family farm in Minnesota will be adding some insight as well
Therese, Social Media Manager, Corn Refiners Association
Cassandra (CRA) says
Coming from a fifth generation family farm in rural Minnesota, I understand and have the same passion as you for family farms. Though, what concerns me about your post is the negativity and generalizations. You cite that family farms are being pushed out of places such as the Midwest, yet it is fact that 98% of all U.S. farms are family-run http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/EIB24
My family understands that our job, in production agriculture, is about feeding the world. We take the lofty goal to heart by making sure we provide safe, nutritious food. We also believe that we can best do this by using the greater resources that innovation and technology have brought to production agriculture. We continually look for more sustainable production methods to use, working with our local extension agents, attending seminars and staying current with new production practices. Methods that were being used in the mid-20th century would not be deemed sustainable today; therefore we look to continually improve our practices.
From a young age my parents taught my brothers and I what it meant to be stewards of the land, and how it is important for the longevity of our farm and community. Because of our passion for conservationism, we make sure to adhere to safe, regulated practices while keeping pests to a minimum, so we can ensure that our products are safe for consumption and the beautiful countryside that we are surrounded by.
It is my hope that you realize that whether you use organic or conventional methods for agricultural production, U.S. farms are working hard to feed a growing population with safe and nutritious food.
Cassandra, Corn Refiners Association
Damaris says
ohhh it's geting spicy!
I'm loving this conversation.
Adventures In Babywearing says
Bravo. Loved this post.
Thank you.
Steph
Jerseygirl says
Bravo. This is a great, gutsy post.
Musings of a Housewife says
I cannot tell you how happy I am that you wrote this. Thank you.
Wendy says
Here here! Thank you for speaking out with passion, guts and integrity!
katy@thoughtforfood says
CRA: of course there are two sides to every story. Everyone has a vested interest, everyone has a bias (even documentary film makers). I don't blame your association one bit for trying hard to redefine your product — after all, it's your paycheck.
But I'm afraid most social-media users out there have already understood the problem of corn in America. That's the reason for the backlash against the bloggers associated with CRA. It's not that everyone is blaming corn for all ills; it's more that refined corn and soybeans are quite clearly a problem — to health and the environment — even after you see "both sides of the story" (or I should perhaps write "especially" after you see both sides — which is why it's so hard for me to understand how the IA bloggers were talked into supporting HFCS).
It's a no-brainer, in my mind — and thankfully, in the minds of many others in America.
Mom101 says
Amazing post. So much (non GMO) food for thought. Your perspective is so insightful and thanks for putting it out there. (Although I do think Chef Druck, in her defense, approached this with more critical thinking than most.)
I just looked up the evil interest groups that helped fund King Corn.
It's the Practical Farmers of Iowa! A non-profit dedicated to promoting profitable, ecologically sound, and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture, with a focus on initiatives like non-GMO corn, niche pork, sustainable agriculture systems, and supporting CSA farmers.
Also, Newman's Own Organics and a lot of environmental protection groups.
Oh no! Lock up your children!
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Thank you thank you thank you for telling it like it *really* is. As someone who has fought obesity my entire life, I only started to win the battle (if only a little bit) when I started to cut out processed food, HFCS, etc. Big Ag doesn't have food as their primary concern, they have profits. I LOVED this post.
designHER Momma says
thanks for such a well though tout post.
So I have a question: would you have gone if invited? Just to hear first hand what the brainwash was all about?
Belinda @zomppa says
You have sparked quite a wonderful discussion here. There are so many issues that this tour have sparked and all that really hit home, whether it's our health, the increasing understanding of how what we eat truly impacts everything we are and do, family legacies and the difficult choices we must make. It is interesting the response after the tour – was that part of the deal or truly the participants' observations and responses? We are so separated from our food sources and the families who grow them that it's hard to know what's food and what's not. Thank you for this thoughtful conversation.
Fresh Local and Best says
Bravo for demonstrating the ethical dilemma so clearly in this post, and for being brave enough to name names. I think some of the tweets speak for themselves and the difficulty of maintaining objectivity whenever accepting gifts, especially substantial ones.
This post inspires me on two levels: one, I should be more courageous about being vocal on the 'wrong' that I observe in the food system locally, and two, I should seriously think twice about accepting any products in exchange for writing posts.
Brie: Le Grand Fromage says
i am so proud of you for writing this so eloquently. i hope you continue to educate as many as possible on the dangers of GMOs and unsafe food practices – plus your research on organic farming doesn't need to hide behind cheap cars and getting the participants drunk! and i'm glad to see you recommending King Korn. it's one of my favorite documentaries. the part where the guys try to make HFCS will make *anyone* realize those freaking ignorant "corn sugar" commercials are blatant lies being forced down people's throats. you'll always have my support! 🙂
heidi says
de acuerdo con todo lo que dices d. I think bloggers should inform themselves before they engage in events like this. Para bien o para mal, bloggers, specially in the States have become a driving and trending force…
y eso mi querida es un gran poder que se debe usar con sabiduria y moderación.
keep writing important things like this linda! That IS how we can make a positive change.
Muy orgullosa de ti.
xoxo
Claire says
Hi Diana,
At full disclosure, I work for Iowa Corn who sponsored the tour. I also grew up on a conventional agriculture family farm in Iowa. I truly believe that everyone has a right to their opinion but I also think it is important that consumers get all the facts and don’t use Google as their source.
I realize that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about conventional agriculture and a lot of it is our fault. For many years, we as farmers, thought all we had to do was keep doing what we were doing raising crops and livestock while caring for the land and those animals and consumers would trust us. Now as more and more people in the U.S. become removed from the farm it’s harder for them to trust us. Too many times the bad actors get all of the news press and the good guys like Bill and Nancy Couser who won a 2010 Environmental Stewardship Award for their cattle and farming operation don’t get the press and recognition that they deserve. But the truth is bad news sells.
I know that many people believe all that farmers care about is their bottom line. And yes, farming is a business and like any business farmers need to at least break even to stay on their farm. But more importantly farmers care about the land. They go through training before the apply fertilizer, chemicals and other inputs into their fields. Many farmers are utilizing GPS systems to help them to avoid overlapping and extra application of inputs and they install conservation practices such as grass strips to avoid runoff into our waterways. Why do they do this? Yes, it helps to reduce their input costs but more importantly they live on the farms where they are raising the crops. They are breathing the air and drinking the water. And even more so, they want to pass their farm on to the next generation.
Farmers starting utilizing biotechnology because it helped them to increase their yields and allowed them to reduce how many trips they were taking across the field and the amount of inputs that they use.
Confined Feeding Animal Operations actually have to follow stricter manure management plans their your local municipal plant. Also, by moving animals indoors we have been able to reduce the amount of antibiotics that we use on our animals. And on that note ALL antibiotics used in animals for human consumption have to be approved by the FDA and farmers must follow withdrawal guidelines. If traces of antibiotics are found it means big trouble for the farmer and that meat NEVER enters the human food chain.
A lot of backlash from the Corn Tour came from Twitter posts during a session with Dr. Ruth McDonald. Dr. McDonald is a registered dietician from Iowa State University and is the head of the Food Sciences and Human Nutrition Department. If you would like I could try and facilitate a time for you to sit down and talk with her. We did not pay Dr. McDonald to come and speak with the ladies and I have to say even I learned a lot from her.
High Fructose Corn Syrup has gotten a bad rap over the past year. And I realize why, we as Americans (myself included) sometimes have a hard time blaming ourselves for our own actions. The truth is that HFCS is chemically the same as sugar. And HFCS is processed they same way as sugar. Sugar doesn’t come out of the ground looking like the granulated stuff you by in the store. It has to be processed into a product from the sugar beets and cane that come out of the ground.
I personally believe that organic, natural and conventional area all safe and nutritious sources of food. One is not better than the other. I know that many people believe that and I think that it is great that in the U.S. we have a choice. This website is great for people that have questions: http://www.choose2choose.com/ Not only do we have a choice but American’s are lucky to have the cheapest and safest food supply in the world because of our hardworking farmers.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Alex Lewin says
Diana,
This is an inspiring post. I will help it to travel far and wide.
Alex
mindyw says
Hello! My name is Mindy and I was on the Iowa Corn tour and I am proud to work for corn farmers in our great state. I am not a blogger and I was impressed with the intelligence and questions we received from the women who went on the Iowa tour. I find it sad that you choose to jump to the conclusion that since Iowa Corn provided the hotel and food for the event, that the bloggers were not honest, open, and ethical in their postings. Nothing on the tour was presented by Iowa Corn and all the attendees were given opportunities to ask questions and post whatever they wished. Unfortunately, we weren't able to host thousands on our tour, because there are many that need to really touch, feel, and see where their food comes from to truly make educated choices at the grocery store. The key that farmers across the US and in Iowa have given us is the ability to pick and chose what and when we want to purchase food for our families. Instead of beating up the 2% of the population that is feeding the other 98% of us, we should be thankful. I am thankful that the women on our tour attended the event, I am thankful that we have farmers working day and night to be sure that we have safe and affordable food, and I am thankful that I have plenty of choices when I go to the grocery store.
I apologize that you weren't invited on the tour, I am sure that if you were interested, we could arrange a tour for you and the others that think they were excluded.
Damaris says
I'm interested. Diana lets go!
Darlene says
I have so many thoughts on this post and the following comments that I don't know where to start.
1. Your post was well-written with critical questions that need HONEST anwers.
2. No one, I don't think, is questioning farmers' love for the land. However, it is the farmers' employers that practice and force unhealthy and unscrupulous methods to which consumers object.
3. One poster mentions training before pesticide use – please tell us who funds that training?!? Who writes the training scripts? How duplicitous to point out the funders for King Korn and other critical documentaries, yet no disclosure on who trains the farmers, who funds research studies on the safety of pesticides and GMO products.
4. And the post about "no difference between organic and conventional food". There are studies proving that nutritional content in organic food is far superior to conventionally grown food. And let's not discuss the environmental impact of pesticides, including water contamination and cross-pollination with organic crops.
Bottom line…the propoganda for GMO and against organic will continue until the pendulum swings JUST enough. If we want safer food, cleaner water, and a healthy ecosystem and environment to leave our children then we must not relent. Despite corn tours, Corn Sugar commercials, and dishonest "scientific" studies, we can make a difference, even if it means growing our own gardens.
Bravo Diana.
Diana Bauman says
Thank you to so many of you that can see through the blatant initiatives displayed here.
Therese and Cassandra, thank you for stopping by and taking some time to leave a comment and express your point of view.
Therese, I'm not sure what you were trying to prove. Yes, it's known that it's not only hfcs that is causing our obesity epidemic but it is helping it along. When mass media including Dr. Oz, Oprah and Whoppie Goldberg start to encourage Americans to quit consuming hfcs, you have a problem. One that is changing the view of your product to MANY Americans. No wonder the need to change it's name to corn sugar and the advertising commercials. (Unbelievable)
It's a little late in the game to promote that hfcs is not bad for you when research has already proven so, http://spaininiowa.blogspot.com/2010/01/poison-alert-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html
I'm not a doctor but it only takes a bit of common sense to understand the true name of the game here. HFCS is cheap to produce and shelf stable. Buy like you said obesity is not just tied to this and I truly believe that. It's followed by a sedentary life style and all of the processed food that we as Americans consume. Processed food made of corn grown in Iowa.
Diana Bauman says
Cassandra, If you really feel that our corn fields are feeding the world, I really encourage you to do a little research on government subsidies.
You're right 98% of farms are family owned. Unfortunately, most of them working for large corporations. I believe 3 companies own 90 percent of our nations milk supply. Our cattle ranchers are few and far between. Our hogs? Family farmers working for corporate conglomerates in Chicago.
And… all of our corn production is driven by government subsidies that actually hinders pricing abroad leaving many hungry and starving for food. So no, we are not feeding the world but our cheap and fast processed ways of eating and in ethanol. In America, we are driven by dollars not for the health of the people. I know you had mentioned being able to pass down the family farm.
That statement is ignorance. For many smaller farms the reality to pass down the family farm is but a dream. What once took 300 acres of corn and soybeans to provide for a family now takes 3,000. If you don't have that kind of land, you sell to a larger farmer. That farmer gets more subsidy money and is able to buy the next farm down the road. What's left are fewer and fewer family farmers.
I know this because if my husbands grandfather have had more land, today I would be a farmers wife. My husband dreamed of being a farmer. Unfortunately, he was never able to because his grandfather could never make enough money off of his land to pass it down to his 2 sons. They found a job in the city and the rest is history.
Why has this all happened? Corn is now cheap. In order to make the most money in subsidy for it, more acres are needed to sell by the bushel. It makes more sense to clear the land and grow more. Who's making it these days? Organic Family farmers diversifying what they raise and grow and selling it directly to the consumer.
Diana Bauman says
Mindy, thank you for stopping by. I'm sad that you chose to only show these woman one side of the story to better the name of a product known to be so harmful. I'm sad that organic methods were shammed and slammed online. You mentioned that we have choices but you didn't offer these woman any choices. We have one of the best farmers markets in the nation. Why didn't they visit? You mention that we have farmers that offer safe food, however, they didn't visit any local family farmer. Would you have taken them to a CAFO or a true farmer pasturing animals? It seems that this tour was based on bettering the name of refined corn products. We know that refined corn products are used in processed foods. Are you saying that boxed, processed foods are healthy for us? That they make a great choice? I do understand, however, that times are tough. That's why my blog stands for making foods at home. If you are a reader of mine, you'd read how many cost saving tips I offer. My family manages by living simply, growing and raising our own food and doing more to value from the benefits of real food. One thing to note is that our amazing farmers market takes food stamps. I'm constantly sharing that with woman who feel they can't afford to eat vegetables and fruits. Really, any type of budget can work in real foods made at home.
On that note, sure! I'd love a tour. Damaris would love one as well!! Can I round up a group of gals to share our experience? We'd have TONS of questions ready to go 😀
Thanks for the invite Mindy, I'm looking forward to this!
Teresa says
Hi Diana. You know I enjoy your blog, and I think it's great that you support local foods. But I don't understand why you have such a negative view of conventional Iowa farmers. Maybe it's because you didn't grow up on a farm or because you get your info from the Internet and movies. Many of the "facts" and statistics you put in this post aren't correct, and I wish you would stop repeating them. For example, Iowa farmers haven't received subsidies for several years now because corn prices have been higher thanks to strong ethanol and export demand. And even Marion Nestle, a dietician & promoter of locally grown foods, says HFCS is the same as sugar. Americans today eat bigger servings, and they don't get enough activity in their day. I work full-time and spend my days either in front of a computer or in a car. I have to make a conscious effort to watch what I eat & exercise. But it's tough. I don't think anyone should blame corn farmers for obesity. And the empty farm houses — that's changing demographics. Iowa's population is older, people are moving to cities because farming is hard work. Please, please try to be open-minded and talk to more farmers, not just the ones at the farmers' market who have a financial interest in promoting their farming methods over another. (Yes, organic farmers want to make money, too. Aren't we all trying to make a good living to provide our families?)
katy@thoughtforfood says
Can I come on the farm tour, too? That way, one more blogger in America is getting "both sides of the story," and not getting all my information "from google."
Sign me up!
MommyMarissa says
I lived Nebraska for a year, and it blew me away that most of the corn was not for humans to eat!
Its crazy how easy it is to cover up things with pretty words and fancy things. You are so true. If you want to know the facts, ask the locals, not the companies.
Follow my blog at http://www.awomancalledmom.blogspot.com
Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen says
Teresa –
You're incorrect. Iowa ranks #2 out of 50 states for receiving subsidies. Only 19% of farmers in Iowa did not accept subsidies. Moreover, Iowa received about $21 BILLION in subsidies from 1995 – 2009. In 2009 Iowa farmers received $677,116,255 in corn subsidies.
You're correct that HFCS is chemically similar to table sugar (and we shouldn't eat that either); however, you're ignoring other ramifications of its production. Moreover a recent study published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior illustrated that HFCS is potentially more destructive than table sugar. Rats with access to HFCS gained more weight and gained it faster than those fed on table sugar.
As for the iowa corn tour? Count me in next time.
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says
Thank you for this post Diana. I have not commented much before, but I do follow your blog regularly. I think it would have been more honest had they invited more bloggers with differing view points on this tour.
I agree, it is about taking responsibility for oneself and what we feed our families. It is easier to accept what we are told about HFCS, then to make real changes in our lives. I find that a lot of people fall into this trap. What I try to explain to people on my blog is that we vote with our $$$. If more people made the switch, we'd have more local, sustainable, bio-diverse farms available to more people.
Teresa says
OK, now I feel foolish. Just read a news story about a new study that finds HFCS is higher in fructose than previously thought. Not sure who to believe right now, so much conflicting info. But I still don't think it's right to villianize farmers.
Also, to your previous commenter, most of the corn grown is fed to livestock, which ends up as meat in the grocery store. We also export corn to other countries so they can feed their livestock. In many developing countries, meat is a luxury, and they don't have suitable soil and available land to grow corn like we do in Iowa.
And to the other commenter, you're right. I don't know a lot about government subsidies, so I guess I was wrong. But as I understand, farmers don't get a price-support subsidy above a certain price level (I think it's below $2), and right now, corn prices are $5, and they haven't been below $2 since the early 2000s. So maybe those subsidies come in another form — like disaster payments for flooding, hail, etc.
Shari Danielson says
Huh, I wasn't invited either. I wonder why:
http://simplegoodandtasty.com/2010/10/10/will-corn-sugar-sweeten-sales-of-hfcs-and-will-a-soda-tax-sour-them
Love this courageous post. Keep up the good work!
Shari Danielson
SimpleGoodandTasty.com
Crystal says
Marion Nestle retracts his statements about HFCS being the same as sugar and encourages everyone to avoid sugared drinks: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2010/10/new-study-hfcs-sweetened-drinks-higher-in-fructose-than-expected/
Fructose is not the same as glucose or sucrose, each is digested differently, and fructose has shown to be linked to obesity.
Emily says
This is a great post. Thank you.
Angela FRS says
Wonderful post, thank you so much. It takes guts to do this.
katy@thoughtforfood says
Claire,
It's so difficult for me to understand your point of view.
First, most of us in this debate understand that too much refined sugar, in any form, is a bad thing. The reasons we reject HFCS are more multi-faceted; for instance, HFCS is so unbelievably cheap and shelf-stable that it drives down the cost of highly-processed foods, making it cheaper for low-income Americans to fill their diet with mostly refined sugars. This leads to diabetes and obesity, etc.
Second, why should it comfort us to know the lengths that farmers go to ensure the applications don't end up in our waterways? That's a virtually impossible task — anyone who reads up on watershed science can learn this. And who wants to eat the corn to which "inputs" are applied that we don't want to drink?
Last, your argument seems to place an emphasis on we Americans having a "choice." Ironically, we have much more choice when we eat locally-grown, whole foods than when we eat processed foods that are virtually entirely produced from byproducts of corn. It also seems that, since most Americans still consume processed foods, it's those of us who are rallying against the single-source menu of big agriculture that are the ones utilizing our right to know both sides of the story and make an informed choice.
I tried to find who funded the website choose2choose.com, and their "whois" database was less than transparent. Any idea? I think the element of this discourse that disturbs me most is the idea that if you are choosing against a diet full of corn, choosing against an industry that has owned American agriculture for decades, you are somehow "un-American." It's a sad argument, meant to influence people who don't have the time and energy that it takes to make, as we all want, a truly informed choice.
Sarah AKA The Improbable Farmer says
While I do think that there are more sides to every story, I do have a few issues with our increasing dependence on processed foods. As consumers become increasingly removed from the food production process, we lose the ability to create food for ourselves. It perpetuates a consumer driven system that requires the average busy home cook to depend on prepackaged sauces and bags of frozen skillet meals instead of taking an extra 10 minutes to do their own prep work and knowing exactly what is going into their meal. I had a craving for Kung Pao chicken last night and I was reaching for a jar of Kung Pao sauce at the store when I realized that I could probably easily make the same sauce at home from my ingredients. I quickly looked up a recipe and saw just how easy it was. I think you may have inspired my next blogging chain on knowing exactly where your food comes from and appreciating the effort put into getting it to your table.
Anonymous says
Corn oil and HFCS is bad for our health and bad for the environment.
I am not proud the our government subidizes this crop (along with soy.) It's digusting!
Our government needs to subidize pastured, organic, grass-fed farms.
Grocery stores carries nothing but industrialized crap food; there's no big money in local, humanely raised animals and produce.
I don't think 2 percent of the people should raise 98 percent of the food. I think we all need to do our part and raise/grow what we can and be thankful for the farmer that works hard and produces nourishing food.
Anonymous says
Can we please stop it with the fatty-shaming? OK? I'm obese. I hate being obese. I don't always stay on the wagon, but I'm working toward losing weight. 20-25 pounds already gone this year, people who haven't seen me in at least a year are noticing the difference. I'm making the effort. Even my lab numbers are good. My doctor was actually surprised!
But here's the thing? I'm still fat. Anyone looking at me is going to immediately blame me for all the nation's health ills. And I am sick of it.
The kicker is, not everyone who gets the chronic diseases is fat! In fact, quite a few of them aren't! It all depends on where and when your insulin resistance starts. It is possible to become type 2 diabetic while remaining slender. And lots of people do it. And then it's shrugged off as "genetic" rather than being lifestyle-caused.
We fat people are lucky. We get the advance warning. But the truth is there are lots of unhealthy people out there who are unhealthy because of the foods they eat. And only some of them are fat. And the ones who aren't are going to get a lot sicker and die a lot harder because they just know their illnesses are "genetic" and not caused by anything they did.
Quit blaming obesity. It's just one of many possible symptoms of metabolic disorder, which gives rise to diabetes and heart disease and cancer. Quit blaming fat people. We don't have Fat People And Terrorist Society cells all over the country plotting to sicken and murder the American people.
Chances are good a lot of these eat-local people are not eating in the most healthy way possible either. There are vegans in the Eat Local movement, after all.
Anonymous says
Push for better farm/ag policy by plugging into Food & Water Watch: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org
The Farm Bill will be re-authorized in late 2011/early 2012, and we need to start organizing around it ASAP to get policies in place to transform our food system.
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/agricultural-policy/farm-bill/better-food-starts-with-the-farm-bill/
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/agricultural-policy/farm-bill/farm-bill-101/
john250 says
You answered your own question r.e. why you weren't invited. I certainly wouldn't have invited someone with your closed minded attitude. Generally, people get invited when they have something to contribute in a positive way. You seem to loath the corn refiners mostly because they have profit motive. Do organic farmers not have a profit motive?
I agree there is too much obesity, but people step up to the polar pop bar of their own free will.
Anyway, a rant against modern ag does nothing to solve the obesity problem.
You are entitled to your opinion, but your faux outrage would have been more amusing in 2 sentences than in this overly repetitive rant.
Pamela P says
This is a great post Diana! And the comments are really interesting. I think one of the problems is that HFCS has been singled out as the root of much health evil and it really isn't significantly worse that refined cane sugar. Because what people seem to be forgetting in this discussion is that ALL fructose-loaded sweeteners are REALLY BAD for us. Table sugar is 50/50 glucose/fructose. HFCS is 50/60. That's really not a big difference. But the corn people have a hard time because they can't exactly make the argument that HFCS is no worse than table sugar without highlighting the health threats of both these sweeteners.
What's funny is that Michael Pollan can be directly credited with focusing the spotlight on HFCS in Omnivore's Dilemma when he put it on his list of ingredients to be avoided. But at the same time he admits that HFCS isn't in itself a particular health threat, but he calls it a marker for highly processed foods, and so avoiding HFCS is a shortcut to avoiding processed foods in general. I'm surprised that the corn people haven't found a way to sue MP under the veggie liable laws.
Anyway, I find those sodas whose advertising shtick is that they are made with old fashioned sugar rather than HFCS to be utterly ridiculous. As if that makes them less unhealthy in some meaningful way! And many of us health food nuts have fallen into the trap of thinking that raw organic agave syrup is a healthy alternative sweetener. I bought it in bulk for awhile till I found out that it can be as high as 90% fructose!! It was a good lesson in never assuming that because something is minimally processed it must be better for us.
For some good info about the health dangers of concentrated fructose, I recommend 180degreehealth.com. For example, concentrated fructose sources, whether HFCS, table sugar, or agave, suppress the mechanism by which one's body tells one's brain that it is full, and are essentially addictive substances. So for the processed corn defenders to say that people just need to take responsibility and have some self control about what they eat is ridiculous. Like telling a drug addict to only use a little bit of cocaine!
My other thought after reading their defense of the farmers growing commodity corn in the comments above is that this is analogous to the small family farmers who grew tobacco in the South. Barbara Kingsolver explains their plight nicely in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. But just because the farmers are sincere and are just trying to support their families and make a living doesn't mean that the end result of their crop isn't terrible for our health as a nation. And that we shouldn't be questioning the entire food system of which they are a part. OK, I'm done now! Thanks for listening. Great blog!
Mariko says
Wow. My brain hurts.
I happened upon one of the mommy bloggers on that tour and I was totally confused by her post, and now I see why.
I did just watch Food Inc recently and the thing that made me the most sick was about corn being used as feed, when cows are supposed to eat GRASS. And how that has caused so much food poisoning in the US.
I think the main thing is that it's hard to muddle through it all. I love sweets. It's especially hard to give that up, no matter what it's sweetened with.
Jennythenipper says
HFCS manufacturers blaming obesity on lack of self-control is like a crack dealer blaming the drug problem on lack of will-power. Children are porportionally the largest group at risk for obesity. HFCS is in far more products than it was when I was a child. That means the amount of sugar in our food supply has sky-rocketed. Even you accept the debatable point that HFCS is the same as natural sugar, you can not deny that so much sugar is bad for our youth. Obesity rates happen to coincide with the rise in HFCS in food. I choose to think that's no coincidence. I don't eat any food with HFCS, and I try to limit natural sugars as well.
Obesity isn't caused by a lack of will-power. It is caused by a combination of too much sugar and vegetable oil. Our kids are being fed more or less the same thing that is used to fatten a hog. To say it's a lack of willpower is insane.
Farmers still addicted to government subsidies and chemicals, when will you wake up?
Stephanie S says
I just took a look at the sites of the bloggers who went on the farm tour. I can't help but chuckle at some of the things these ladies are blogging about. I mean, Family Taco Night Gift Pack from Old El Paso? Another blogger has ads for Walmart and Swanson broth on her site and another wrote a post about the Corn Tour that doesn't even make sense. I guess I'm pointing this out because, what do we expect? Not that it isn't important to try to change the hearts and minds of all people, but these mom's blogs scream "clueless about complex modern issues." Of course they support GM foods and factory farms, Sarah Palin told them to.
Ken Barker says
When people read length material, source material on issues, then real change can occur. I blog and a blog comment do not satisfy that requirement. That qualification said…
I consciously stopped eating fast food and consuming HFCS this past January. I have lost 35 pounds. (6'0" male, now at 198lbs.)
In my experience, I ate more food because my body craved more HFCS. HFCS for me is much more addictive than sugar. I would hit the drive through and get food with my Dr. Pepper.
Once I chose to stop consuming HFCS, my desire to hit the drive through dropped.
Anecdotal evidence enough for me and my family to stay away from HFCS and other processed foods.
Jessie says
Thanks for writing this post!
Anonymous is right — I don't think obesity is the main problem here, whether HFCS and corn oil contribute to it or not.
HFCS and corn oil are NOT GOOD FOR YOU. You can argue all day long about whether they do or do not cause obesity, whether HFCS is or is not the same as table sugar, etc, etc. You can say, "Hey, don't blame the farmers, they're just doing their jobs." You can claim that it's all about portion control and that you just shouldn't eat "too much" HFCS.
It's NOT FOOD. Get informed. You will be disgusted that you've been putting these things in your and your children's bodies. Obese, skinny, active, or not — JUST SAY NO to refined corn products! You will feel better.
Lorna says
I enjoyed this post and comments- so many good comments and opinions.
I suppose I am a bit bias when it comes to organics because we are Iowa Org./Grass farmers.
For many many years we were conventional farmers. We accepted subsidies like everyone around us and still do although at a very diminished amount.
My husbands health issues pushed us over into the organic opinion in order to get relief.
It has not been easy to make the transition, for the learning curve was quite steep. If it had not been for our underpaid family labor we would not have a farm today. It takes a lot more planning and labor hours.
When we walk our pastures there is a great sense of pride in the soil becoming alive with micro-organisms that haven't been there for years, also seeing dung beetles, pheasants,prairie birds, rabbits and voles. It has taken almost five years to see any true visual proof of change, a fairly long time for most farmers to wait.
Most important is why do we do this?
I guess it's become a passion, a value call, doing what seems right and good. If we see the creator in our Iowa world how can we not want to take care of it in this way?
The problem I see is that once on the conventional treadmill it is too difficult to get off. It would cause financial disaster to so many farmers. Who wants that?
We love our neighbors, but feel saddened by the circumstances they are facing. Many think it is just too late to change. They are doing the best with the little knowledge(of the damage caused by chemicals) they have and some just don't care.
Practical Farmers of Iowa has been a great help to us in the way of support and encouragement. We are grateful and blessed by their efforts.Every year they hold farm tours all across Iowa. Anyone is welcomed to come see what sustainable farming is about. We're a small percentage of true family farmers who are courageous enough to be different, and grow "real" food.
Thank so much for writing this post. It means a lot to see others in Iowa who care.
Diana Bauman says
Lorna, thank you so much for taking the time to comment and reflect upon your role in improving our food system. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I'm sending you such a huge cyber hug and if you do read this please send me your email address to diana (at) phileodesign (dot) com. I would love to chat a bit more.
Many blessings!
Diana
Mauree P. says
I am a long time 'real' foodie but I pretty much never comment on anything…I suppose I'm a lurker-extraordinaire. I just had to high-light Jennythenipper's comment: "Obesity isn't caused by a lack of will-power. It is caused by a combination of too much sugar and vegetable oil. Our kids are being fed more or less the same thing that is used to fatten a hog."
Please, let that sink in for a moment….we're feeding our children (and ourselves) more or less the same thing that is used to fatten a [cfo] hog
Last time I checked I don't want to live like that…some "choice".