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Author: BaileyBoo
Date: 10-20-04 15:20
My mom just got this book in the mail today and while I enjoyed my first Veggie burger (wasn't too bad) I read the back cover and then the introduction. This is what I was shocked about ::
McDonalds Corporation :
- is responsible for 90% of the countries new jobs
- in 1968, they had about 1,000 restaurants
- today they have over 30,000 restaurants worldwide and add about 2,000 new a year.
- they annually hire about 1 million workers
- they are the largest purchaser of beef, pork, and potatoes, and the second largest purchaser of chicken.
- they are also the largest owner of retail property (lots of locations)
- and have surpassed Coca Cola as the world’s most famous brand.
A generation ago, ¾ of the money spent on food was spent for food to cook at home, today, about half of the money used to buy food is spent at restaurants, mainly fast food.
In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food, in 2001, they spent over $110 billion.
Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, nepapers, videos, and recorded music- combined.
On any given day about ¼ of the US adult population visit a fast food restaurant.
The typical American now consumes about 3 hamburgers and 4 orders of fries every week.
The US now has more inmates than full time farmers because of the fast food industry destroying the farming industry.
... And this is all just in the inroduction. The rest of the book talks about how they run their businesses, how they cook their food. I'll keep you guys posted on new things.
The book is called Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
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Author: Elizabeth Ann
Date: 10-20-04 17:43
Wow. Sounds like an interesting book.
I've never eaten that many orders of fries in a week! Ever!!! (Eew)
~Elizabeth Ann~
205-195-135
10 lbs lost since 8/20/04
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Author: Danielle
Date: 10-20-04 19:56
Today in one of my classes a McDonalds worker showed us all how to make a big mac... (prestentation grade)... he gave us some interesting facts... Like there have been more Big Macs sold around the world than any hamburger... anywhere... this includes baseball games other restraunts... and yadayada...
and he kept refering to the "special sauce" as "the fat"...
he also said that they use 100% beef... he was putting the burger down the the calorie info more... so I believe him about the beef...
Freshman 15 didn't happen til summer break. Now I'm down to my weight when I was a freshman in high school. Junior High here I come.
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Author: BaileyBoo
Date: 10-20-04 23:13
It's things like this that make me not want food like that.
I don't know if others feel this way, too, but it's what keeps me away.
The section now is all about "natural flavors" and what they are made out of, and that they can recreate any and all smells. They have viles full of different smells. They can open one and it smells just like bananas or hamburgers grilling right there in the room. Makes you wonder what food really tastes like if they put all these flavors in. PLUS, a lot of natural flavors contain chemicals which are addictive. Hmm... no wonder we have cravings.
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Author: Don
Date: 10-21-04 07:11
QUOTE:
"The US now has more inmates than full time farmers because of the fast food industry destroying the farming industry. "
This is a bogus fact of two unrelated issues. The people in prison are not there because they are no longer farmers (at least most of them). Farms have been consolidating for years because of many issues (estate tax being a major one). McDonald's is not to blame for the plilght of the farmers. Yes, there are less farmers but not just because of McDonalds.
Before we jump on the hate McDonald's bandwagon, remember they got to where they are because we all helped them get there. They gave us what we wanted and we eagerly bought it. In many countries, they are providing jobs to people who need them.
QUOTE:
"Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, nepapers, videos, and recorded music- combined."
Computer prices have come down as have cars, videos, magazines recorded music and software. When is the last time you went to a movie? I bet you don't go as often as you did when you were a kid. Cheap DVD's are replacing them. I don't find this statistic very shocking.
QUOTE:
"On any given day about ¼ of the US adult population visit a fast food restaurant."
Yes, we are on the move more now that anyother time in history. It doesn't say that all of those visits are to McDonalds.
QUOTE:
"In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food, in 2001, they spent over $110 billion."
Not adjusted for inflation - one problem. If you assume 4% inflation for 31 years, then the $6 billion would grow to over $20 billion. Remember the high inflation of the 70's? I bet half of that number ($110 billion) is inflation alone. Also, There are more fast food joints now than there were in 1970 so they are visited more. Again, they're giving us what we want.
I could keep going, but will stop because I know that you're not going to read but so much. Be sure to be a critic when someone is bashing a company. Facts can be twisted to present a false impression. Also, be sure to check your 401(k) and pension plans because you may be an owner of the stock!
No I do not work for McDonald's or own their stock. I do think my 401(k) plan may be invested in them. If they are, I hope they do well.
Don
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body, but rather to skid-in-sideways,
totally worn out, shouting... "holy **** what a ride!"
232/166/166
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Author: Elizabeth Ann
Date: 10-21-04 07:49
"The US now has more inmates than full time farmers because of the fast food industry destroying the farming industry. "
I don't know exactly WHAT this qoute was supposed to mean, but when I read it I didn't correlate the inmates being a RESULT of losing farmers.
But I think maybe it could be "twisted" as you said, Don, to make the reader think something that's not as true. My translation was:
"There are less full time farmers than there are inmates in America. There are less farmers because the fast food industry is destroying the farming industry."
Which, I couldn't say that was true or not, but I agree that the two examples are VERY unrelated. I think sometimes you really do have to be a big critic with things.
Nevertheless, I think the book might have a lot of interestnig points that may have people thinking twice about eating fast food (or at least let's hope so.)
~Elizabeth Ann~
205-195-135
10 lbs lost since 8/20/04
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