Pastured chickens at Polyface farms
In part 1 of this 5-part video interview series, we heard a short history of Polyface farms and its’ owner Joel Salatin.
In part 2, Joel talked about the issue of “real food” education and whether we should really try to convert everyone.
In this video: The big question – isn’t this whole sustainable food thing really just an elitist movement? Who can really afford it? Listen to Joel’s decidedly non-politically-correct answer.
What do you think?
Is the whole sustainable, organic, free-range agriculture thing just a bunch of elitist horse hockey? Or are people just making excuses? Tell us in the comments.
About the author
Hungry for more?
Sign up for our email newsletter for news, events and more!
“It’s sooooo expensive!”
I hear this ALL the time. Usually from friends drinking 7 dollar beers at bars. Ugh.
Another point, assuming it is somewhat cheaper to eat industrial (I would guess at best about half the price), I would rather eat well now, enjoy my life, and not spend my retirement on 10 years as a vegetable on palliative care.
I think Mr. Salatin makes some valid points. If people got their priorities straight, a lot more could afford to eat sustainably produced food. There would still be a small minority who genuinely couldn’t, but I think the vast majority could. Too often it’s more a matter of won’t than can’t.
I agree with Joel, it’s all about priorities.
Of course there’s going to be a percentage of people who just can’t afford to eat pasture-raised food, but they’re definitely not the majority. Most people either don’t know or don’t care, at least that’s my experience.
Also, to expand on his point: it really doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you’re really struggling for money, there’s no shame in picking up 2 gallons of milk at costco for $4.00, even if it’s not ideal. Just don’t chalk off the idea completely and decide it’s frozen pizzas or nothing.
Josh
I agree with pretty much everything Joel says in this vid so i don’t have much to add in the way of discourse. Just want to say thank you Amber for this little interview series. Really enjoying it.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
If everyone starts eating a grass-fed meat paleo diet, does the meat become more or less expensive?
I don’t make a ton of money, don’t waste it on any of the things mentioned in the video either, but I need to step up and buy grass-fed. Kind of an inspiring little rant there.
From a health and environmental/sustainability standpoint its worth the extra couple bucks a pound eh?
Initially more, then as production kicks up, prices go down.
[...] part 3, we asked the big question – isn’t this whole sustainable food thing really just an [...]