The authors begin to identify what ethical food choices are, but it is hard to know whether to agree with them because the issue is so complex. This section makes it very clear that even if you are knowledgeable about the food industry and factory farms, and are disgusted by or displeased with the process it is still very easy to make the wrong decisions where food is concerned. Labels are often misleading and some products can be certified organic while still hindering the natural behaviors of animals. For example, some farms that sell organic eggs still de-beak their chickens and do not allow them significant time outside. How can anyone really know the conditions their food comes from if they cannot visit the farm itself. As the authors point out, this is what makes farmer’s markets and locally grown food so valuable; it is pretty simple in those situations to get to know the farmer and his practices. However, the authors also indicate that in some situations buying exports and supporting farmers in developing nations who need the money worse than poor American farmers is often a more ethically correct decision. In the current market, doing the right thing is a constant catch 22 and it is fairly easy for a person who thinks he/she is doing everything right to get it all wrong.
I agree that it is morally wrong to consume food that is produced in a manner that is harmful to animals, especially if a person is aware of the circumstances under which these animals live. This second family they do a case study of does a pretty good job in my opinion; they aren’t perfect, but they do well as far as food choices, especially for both having full time jobs and children. I guess in the authors’ opinion that isn’t an excuse, which makes some sense. However, I don’t see how the average person would have the time or the means to find out where all their food comes from, find out the organic/sustainable options in their area, weigh those options against each other (based on travel, growth methods, working conditions, etc), and end up making the correct decision. It’s a difficult endeavor that’s at odds with the system, which obviously doesn’t make it excusable, but I’m just unsure how a person would ever know if they’re making the right choices.