Commodification of Food: Ethics, Economics, and Environmental Impact

This month, we’re unpacking how food became an industrial product—engineered for shelf life, profit, and mass consumption. We’ll look at ultra-processed foods (UPFs), public health consequences, regulatory failure, environmental impacts, and the ethical implications of a food system shaped more by market logic than nourishment.

Suggested media to spark conversation:

• Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken [Book]
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan [Book]
• Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser [Book]
• Food, Inc. (2008) - [Documentary, Prime]
• Fed Up (2014) - [Documentary, Youtube]
• Rotten (Mini Series, Multiple Seasons, Netflix]

Please let me know of any podcasts, docs, books, etc that you'd like me to list here!

How does this group work?
Each month we will select a topic to explore. The meetup will be anchored by a set of recommended readings, podcasts, or other media intended to provide theoretical context and a foundation for discourse. Our aim is to foster intellectual engagement, thoughtful dialogue, and collective learning.
Meetups will be in public spaces (bars) where folks can order beverages if they wish.