Fresh is, as i've stated, a documentary about farming in the United States of America and how the industrialization of said farming is harming not just us, but the environment around us. Cattle being fed what's basically meat when they should be eating natural food such as grass, mass seed-planting/machine-performed crop growing, those kinds of things. The documentary goes on to state that people should be eating healthier by eating vegetables, supporting local farmers, and so on. There's really not much more to it besides a general message of supporting locally grown produce farmers, and eating healthier, perhaps even trying to inspire people to grow their own crops, if possible. The audience is definitely aimed at those looking into the food industry, or those who want to learn how to start a farm or grow their own food. But did I, someone who usually never thinks too in-depth about these things, enjoy it? ...I think so.
See, the thing about Fresh, in my mind, is that it not only pushes and makes that obvious message of buying locally is better than buying from a restaurant or something similar, but it also really doesn't want anyone to buy from a corporation of food, of any kind. It's very serious about its' message, and as a result, feels a bit dark/depressing at times. There's a scene in Fresh that has someone tell a story of how a friend/family member of theirs goes as far as comparing things like Wal-Mart, or whatever kind of industry food outlet as a "pharmacy" for humans, because the food that's sold only supplies people with the vitamins/nutrients needed to "keep them alive". And after watching the documentary, I do understand why. The industrialization of food isn't really getting better, farm animals need to be taken care of better, etc,. But going as far as calling industrialized food a sort of "pharmacy for humans" is a bit out there.
Obviously, it IS important to eat healthy. But that doesn't mean the healthy option is easily available to people all the time, 24/7. Considering the modern world today, not every individual person in the world can go into a backyard or some equivalent and just start growing plants, especially for those who work constantly. Some people just don't have the time to get home and prepare food, because they might need to do several other things that have to be done when they get home. That's why things such as regular stores and food chains exist; to give people that quick option when nothing else is available. So trying to push the message that everyone should eat naturally all the time and only buy from select produce retailers and stores seems a bit impossible when these people that may want to do this, simply don't have the time to do so.
But is that to say the film is bad or poorly made? Not at all. The documentary stays on tone, uses and shows multiple farmers who are dedicated to their work and the overall message of healthy eating, and makes its' point clear. I may be slightly against the hard "only eat natural food all the time forever" message, but what the movie points out, and shows/depicts what people can do to eat healthier, is definitely an important message, and an overall important movie that anyone that has the ability to support things like farmers' markets, locally-grown vegetables, or anything similar, should give a watch. Outside the slightly depressing themes, Fresh is absolutely important to watch, and i'd recommend it if you're looking to study agriculture or anything even remotely related to food.
...alright, all this food talk has gotten me hungry. I think i'm going to enjoy a nice steak and mashed potatoes for dinner.
Lucas, signing out!
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