Food Inc - Hungry for change?

Watched Food Inc. An independent documentary on the American food industry ala Michael Moore with better art direction. The big States seems to be always getting the spotlight for their lead role – the tyrant of all sorts when it comes to consumer scandals (whether or not it’s within their shores). Independent filmmaker Robert Kenner strips away America’s packaging without shame to expose some of the most hideous acts and pure selfish motivations of the country in the name of capitalist growth. It may seem insignificant now, but not in the near future.

Not too long ago, we completed the research on ‘The Green Chronicles’ and have been actively pursuing and propagating sustainability by encouraging people to make the right decisions. Not by going against the system but by actually utilizing the same system these capitalist monsters have been using against gullible human and nature, called consumerism. Yes, you can vote every single day for what you believe in and what is right for your family, community, society, country and ultimately the world by spending your dollar wisely, choosing only manufacturers and service providers that put social business back into commerce. Corporations have always been consumer-centric anyway, but it’s increasingly important for us to acknowledge the importance of being crowd-centric instead. Considering communities as a whole before profit, even before the consumer, I dare say... Simply because being consumer-centric only means profit generation. The problem starts when they get all fuzzied vision about it and forget that they too are living in a society spiraling downwards in this era of environmental doom.

Well, vote responsibly with your money and support local industry (I speak for Malaysia – please understand that a lot of the ‘nice imageries of delicious foods and made-up vitamins’ come from packaging design and really smart brand marketing – take it from someone who is from the advertising industry aight’?), so yea… if the quality isn’t too bad then why not vote for local produce the next time you purchase something? Find out more about the slow food movement and collaborate with your local community and perhaps, start food appreciation at home instead of external food establishments.

I’ll be interested to find answers to these questions in Malaysia. Please share if you have them.

1) What are the laws which are protecting consumers and which ones are protecting the food industry and what is the balance?

2) What are we importing and exporting and why are we exporting better goods offshore instead of providing it to local consumers?

3) What agricultural practices are we implementing that take a holistic approach from ensuring farmer’s wellbeing up to consumer consumption education? For example, the UTZ Certified coffee beans in New Zealand that strongly practice sustainability in their coffee, tea and cocoa production supporting local communities.

4) Exactly how sustainable are we? In all our food productions; fisheries, agriculture, etc? And how many graduates are we churning out per year who do not just take over their seniors but to one day, lead and innovate these important but most overlooked industries?

On a separate note, read about this new spot in Manhattan called Rouge Tomato. It’s another one of those posh places where dining is fine art I supposed. But what’s commendable is, it too, is riding the wave of social-consciousness that’s sweeping across America hence providing an alternative to high-end customers. To wine and dine at their place, simply because RT belives in Grass-Fed New York Strip Steak (mind you, not CORN-fed. If you watch the movie, you’ll understand what I mean). Here's a peak:

EcoGreen

During the previous movie night, we ordered food from the EcoGreen café in TTDI. Everyone enjoyed the food very much. Therefore, I decided to interview the owner. Mr. Wong, the owner, was very nice when we asked him for an interview; he did not hesitate at all. They have 2 branches, both in TTDI, one is solely a café and the other is a café and “market place” where you can purchase organic products. There is even a place on the 1st floor for small scale events or networking session.

A little background on Mr. Wong, he is a chemical engineer by profession. He started with engineering business connected to the environment like air pollution and waste water. Then he had an organic farm of his own and that leads to his business today.

EcoGreen‘s core business is selling and serving organic food and promoting sustainable living. They want people to see the connection between the food on their plate and the state of the planet. The definition of organic by EcoGreen is different from some people. This café does not serve vegetables only, they serve meat as well. According to Mr. Wong, we need animal for sustainable living, it is a cycle. EcoGreen promote food at a few levels. First is local food first to minimize carbon food print and post harvest pesticides. Second, is eating organic which also reduces pesticides and promoting recycling (composition of waste).

During the interview, Mr. Wong shared a lot with us from the environmental related books that he read, history of pesticides to the current issues of environment in Malaysia. Nature operates in a cycle and industrialization and human act has broken the cycle. For example, in a jungle, trees and animals used to live independently, trees grow, animals eat its fruit, animal leave waste, trees uses animal waste as fertilizer and this cycle has been going on for thousands of years. Nothing was transported far away and will always be within the same area. When industrialization comes in, thing are being exported to everywhere in the world and that leaves major carbon footprints. And things that are taken from the earth were not returned to where it belongs and we are taking away from the earth much faster that it produces.

For those of you who would like to try the food in the café and to shop for organic products, you may want to pay a visit to EcoGreen. Here is their website address www.ecogreen.com.my

Living Green

I had an interview with Callie who owns Justlife group. Justlife is an organic shop. They not only sell organic food, you will be surprised at the range of things that they sell. Apparently they have organic handkerchief, sanitary care, cosmetic and organic clothes. I have yet to check out their store, but I will probably drop by to take some pictures next week.

The concept of organic according to Justlife is everything that is good for the earth is good for us. This concept actually runs thru as their business concept as well. Callie herself preaches earth saving diet, meaning to go vegetarian. She herself is a vegan.

I was asking her how all these started and I was a little shocked when she told me that she herself is an accountant by profession. She actually started eating organic even before she started her business. She got introduced by a friend to eat organic. From there, she started the business with her siblings.

When I went into the office, I notice that all her staffs are very young, between 20+ to 30+ and I find it weird, maybe because it’s kind of like a stereotype that people who are into organic are mostly uncles and aunties in their late 40s. She was telling me, in this business, they need passionate people who truly believe in what they do. Therefore, that explains why the staffs are so young. According to Callie, they want to break the stereotype that organic is only for uncles and aunties. Organic is for everyone. Every single one in the team will have to go through a 2-3 months of shop assistance position (regardless of what your position is) when they first joined to see if they are really passionate about what they do. Some stayed back and some didn’t. For Callie it is alright because to her, education about organic to people is much more important. Most of the people that decided that this is not what they want to do will already have an understanding about organic and they do shop in Justlife for organic products.

The business of Justlife is not only in selling organic, but also to educate people. Aside from their core business, they also organized events; go to schools, colleges, kindergartens to educate the younger generation. The Climate change even was organized by them. At present, they are running a contest, The Most Natural. This contest is for youth and the grand prize is a Mini Cooper! Check it out at www.themostnatural.com.my

Stay tune to this site as I will be visiting the shop and will be posting some pictures of the shop here soon!