Washington State University has decided to reinstate Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma as their Common Reading Program selection for incoming freshman, after coming under fire for allegedly bowing to Food Industry pressure to remove the book.  Hooray!  While I’d like to take some credit for voicing opposition to what appeared to be censorship of the industrial food critique, it seems the major turning point came when food safety lawyer Bill Marler, a WSU alum and former Regents of the university, had a few words with President Elson Floyd, and offered to pay for the entire Common Reading Program and Michael Pollan’s visit to the school.  While Marler may have been the lynch pin, I’m sure that public outcry from people like yourselves, supporters of Food Democracy Now!, and other food justice communities helped increase the pressure.  So, thanks to all of you who have made yourselves heard, and helped fight for the people’s right to know where our food comes from.  I don’t aim to demonize WSU in any way, as I’m sure budget issues were their primary concern, just as belts are tightening everywhere these days.  However, it is at economically challenging times such as these that we must remain particularly vigilant to ensure that corporate influence does not muscle freedom of speech or access to information to the ground.

To celebrate, how about ordering a copy of Omnivore’s Dilemma for someone you love, and going to see an upcoming screening of Food Inc., which features Michael Pollan and many others discussing the industrial food system. The screenings begin June 12th in New York, San Fransisco and Los Angeles and will be appearing across the country this summer.  If you don’t see one listed near you, let us know!

Photo: cogito ergo imago’s flickr photostream (creative commons)