Joel Salatin in FOOD, INC., a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Robert Kenner’s film Food Inc., which was nominated for an Academy Award, is set to air on public television tomorrow, April 21, 2010.  In my opinion, this film is must-see TV for anyone who eats.

I first saw Food Inc. back in February, when I was lucky enough to catch a free screening of it, along with a Q&A session with Kenner, at my place of work.  I thought it was a great, well-balanced documentary.  Animals play a large role in the film but Kenner also makes you think about more than that… such as the human beings who work to bring food to your table and how they are treated… as well as our right to information as consumers.  Ever since then, I’ve been meaning to order the DVD from Amazon.com, so I could loan it to all my friends and family.  I still plan to order the DVD, but now that PBS is airing it, I’m simply urging them to tune in.

Hubby and I plan to record it on DVR and watch it together Thursday evening.  Our viewing couldn’t come at a better time.  Just this weekend I purchased organic deli meat for hubby’s lunch sandwiches.  The packages were a little smaller than probably the average mainstream meat product that he’s been using, and priced higher.  Yesterday I discovered that Hubby used a whole package to make his sandwich, so we engaged in a discussion about it… he said the meat was delicious but that it was too expensive if he was going to use a whole package per sandwich since the point of him brown-bagging it was to save money.  The deli meat cost about $6/pkg.  Hubby said he could buy a sandwich at work for $5.  I told hubby that I didn’t care about the cost and don’t mind paying a higher price if it means there are less antibiotics, etc. in the meat and if the animals were likely treated better before they met their death.  The conversation stopped after a few more exchanges because I could tell nothing would be resolved right then and there.  But, I’m really looking forward to watching Food Inc. with him because I think the film demonstrates the total cost of our food… and it’s not all dollar bills.  I’m hoping that he’ll better understand where I am coming from after seeing the film.

Check your local PBS schedule to catch this film!