Stuffed nation, Michael Pollan and the FPIDG

One of the beautiful things about the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group is that it is self-sustaining. Not to say that all of the nearly 180 members are active on the board, but the activity produced by the board's stalwarts - notably Luis and Big Apple - hums steadily along.

Today, Luis posted a link about "Stuffed Nation", a book review about a former foodservice professional airing the soiled laundry of the food business. From the post from the book's synopsis:

"Authored by former food executive turned anti-obesity exponent Hank Cardello, Stuffed breaks new ground by demonstrating how food companies’ defensive mindsets that they offer healthy options and that the consumer is responsible for what they eat, have largely ignored their customers in the name of their bottom lines. And so consumers have been cajoled to purchase “convenience” foods, super-sized beverages and high-calorie Weapons of Mass Consumption because they sweeten profits.

TK: Weapons of self-destruction, as Robin Williams might say. Well are we for free will or aren't we? Consumers don't have to be cajoled to buy Big Gulps, but they might have to be prodded to buy veggies. This book may be a little too simplistic in assigning blame, but it sounds like a nice industry read.


Meanwhile, Luis also posts about Michael Pollan and his next book idea. By the way, is Michael Pollan about selling books or leading a food revolution? It is hard to tell. From Luis:

Michael Pollan may be touching a nerve with his next project and his call for reader's food rules. While foodies and industry people are very familiar with pop-culture and the creation of food related messages in the mass media that make heavy use of the vernacular for persuasion, education etc. most consumers are not semioticians. Good try by Michael Pollan. We'll see how much traction old wisdom has in this environment tinged by austerity, disenchantment and mistrust.


TK: Come one and come all to join the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group - both the Google Discussion Group and the Linkedin group of the same name. It's relatively painless and the psychic rewards are great.