KING CORN
Film Reveals How Subsidized Corn
Is Driving the Fast-Food Industry
"King Corn" should be required viewing by anyone planning to visit a supermarket, fast-food joint or their own refrigerator."
--The Washington Post
Behind America’s 99 cent hamburgers and 72-ounce sodas is a key ingredient that silently fuels our fast-food nation — Corn.
KING CORN is a feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food consuming country. This entertaining and informative film is now available from the Earth Cinema Circle (www.earthcinemacircle.com).
In this revelatory, Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) style documentary, two college buddies, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, move from the east coast to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. Ironically, eighty years ago, Ian and Curt’s great-grandfathers lived just a few miles apart, in the same rural county in northern Iowa. Now their great-grandsons are returning with a mission. They will plant an acre of corn, follow their harvest into the world, and attempt to understand what they—and all of us—are really made of; Corn. Everything Americans eat contains it: high fructose corn syrup, corn-fed meat, and corn-based processed food.
"KING CORN is one of the most important films you can see to better understand government policies behind the corn industry and the ethanol movement," states Ed Begley, Jr. Begley is the co-host of the Earth Cinema Circle, America's fastest growing eco-friendly DVD club. KING CORN is one of many films offered by Earth Cinema Circle, a DVD club offering films that inform and inspire us to make a difference.
Earth Cinema Circle (ECC) offers a bi-monthly selection of inspiring eco-friendly films, as well as exclusive membership in a community dedicated to improving the health of our planet. Every other month, ECC sends subscribers four films (features, shorts and documentaries) that explore subjects on wildlife and conservation, green movies about environmental choices, inspirational biographies about environmental heroes, adventurous eco-travel and more.
When you join Earth Cinema Circle, your membership supports THE CONSERVATION FUND; ECC automatically makes a contribution on behalf of subscribers through their Go Zero Program. In addition, Earth Cinema Circle uses 100% recyclable and biodegradable eco-conscious packaging which is designed to make the smallest environmental footprint possible. The lightweight, tough and resilient packaging is made from 100% post-consumer waste and is printed with soy-based ink.
EARTH CINEMA CIRCLE was created by the Spiritual Cinema, Inc. (www.spiritualcinemacircle.com), a GAIAM-owned company. GAIAM (www.gaiam.com) is a lifestyle media company providing information, media, products and services to customers who value personal development, wellness, ecological lifestyles, responsible media and conscious community.
How You Can Help
Wondering what we as consumers can do to move away from KING CORN, the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation? Even though corn products are turning up everywhere, we can spread the word about available alternatives.
- We can choose grass-fed and grass-finished beef when available. An increasing number of farmers are responding to consumer demand and are replacing grain with grass in their animal feed. Many grocery stores, including national chains such as Trader Joe’s, now carry grass-fed meats and cheeses alongside more conventional products.
- Look for fresh, direct-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables and shop at your local farmer's market. You can also subscribe to a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA), and stock your fridge with locally grown, real food.
- Check the ingredients of your pet food for corn or corn by-products. There are some meat-based, no-grain alternative dry pet foods on the market now that use whole, fresh meat sources giving your loved ones more nutrition and less filler.
Visit http://kingcorn.net for more information about how to stay informed and take action to effect change in America's food system.
