Lets get the facts straight! Factory Farming Lets get the facts straight!

What did you have for supper last night?

Why did you choose to eat what you did? Where did the food come from?

Some possible reasons… It was fast or easy It was what I usually eat It was nutritious It tasted good It was a good price It was in season My friends liked it I did not have any choice in what I ate

The Meatrix launched in November 2003 Has been translated into more than 30 languages Over 15 million viewers worldwide

The Factory Farm A factory farm is a large-scale industrial operation that houses thousands of animals raised for food—such as chickens, turkeys, cows, and pigs—and treats them with hormones and antibiotics to prevent disease and maximize their growth and food output. The premise for factory farming is that we need to produce food more efficiently to feed 7 billion people!

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

Social Pillar New diseases Pathogens Dangerous hormones Unethical treatment of animals Confinement Mutilation diseases due to stress

Economic Pillar Threats to family farms Unfair competition Regulations farmers lose jobs and livelihoods less people to look after the land, Lower property values “Cost” and convenience of meat

Environmental Pillar Animal Waste Air Emissions Ecosystem Damage Destruction of Land

Alter-ego Perspective Five Groups Chicken Chicken Farmers President of the Poultry Company Chicken Consumer Chicken Farm Worker Write one statement that you think your character would say in reference to factory farming.

Discussion Question If we are in consensus that even food animals deserve to have a certain quality of life, who has the responsibility to oversee the treatment of chickens or other food animals? What responsibility do individuals and consumers have? The government? Companies?

Discussion Question In a way, we’re not producing chickens, we’re producing food Richard Lobb, of the National Chicken Council, in Food Inc. What does this statement mean? Do you agree or disagree? How might this perspective affect the way that chickens are raised?

Old McDonalds Farm

Resources 11 facts about Factory Farms Factory Farms/What’s good about it Factory Farming…Winners and Losers What are the pros and cons of Factory Farms Primary Kids – Factory Farming Factory Farming Index Factory Farm Facts Sustainable Table Beyond Factory Farming CEC Manitoba Food Inc. Discussion Guide The Meatrix