#6 Food is a Commodity

In the article "Food is a Commodity," Fred Magdoff is stating in the first three paragraphs that food is basic for human needs and survival, which pretty much states everything in those words. Words that really means so much. It is important for growth and development. In the article food is a commodity it starts out talking about how humans were hunters and gatherers, they would hunt and plant their own food, two thirds of the food was plant-based, nuts, fruit and berries. All crops and animals raised were sold. Humans would use there skills and knowledge to survive. They didn't depend on corporate systems or large systems of agriculture and agribusiness to make a living and to survive. They raised their own crops, sold their crops, raised their own animals and sold them as well. They depended on their self and their family to grow, raise, and sell the food, crops, and animals. Now that farming its self has been reduced, they are becoming subcontractors to large corporations. It is very hard to come by small farmers. Everything is shipped from different states or across seas. You truly never know how your food was raised or where your food came from. With small farmers you know that your food was raised where you was raised. You know your food is home grown, washed, and trusted. All you find in today's world is food that is mechanically processed, shipped, and full of preservatives. I am a small town girl who was raised and believes in small farmers and growers. I don't like not knowing where my food comes from, how it's raised, and what chemicals are used. I grow my own food, but have not always done so. I used to buy everything from the store and its completely different. The preservatives they use is enough for me. I couldn't imagine having to go back to eating food that I didn't grow myself or someone locally grew for us. Everything between items grew locally and items at stores that are shipped are so different. The taste, chemicals, how its raised, where its raised, where they store it. They have so many cons between them. Yes, food is a commodity but what is so wrong with growing your own food or having your food grown locally? Why does everything have to be processed and shipped from over seas? Everything is all about making a dollar and supplying the bigger companies. In my opinion its wrong and should be completely opposite. Everyone should take care of their own food. They should grow and produce what they need for their families and the community(if they sale it locally.) They should take care of their own survival. Not depend on companies to make your food and ship it to you. Farming its self should not have reduced over the years and the large companies of agribusiness shouldn't have stepped in. Humans should take care of their own survival like in the old days and the hell with this mechanically processed and shot up with preservative foods.