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Fresh: A report from the Food for
Thought series
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by Ruth Ann Smalley
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Several years ago, a friend
and I were literally stopped in our tracks by a pile of kale. Rounding
a corner at the Troy Farmers Market, we came to a halt, speechless with
admiration, in front of a mound of the greenest greens we'd ever seen.
Luminous with vitality. Who knew chlorophyll could be so awe inspiring?
I had a similar feeling watching Fresh,
the January Food for Thought documentary film co presented by Honest
Weight and WAMC. In one scene, a group of budding city gardeners dish
up lunch inside a lush greenhouse. The buffet offerings nearly moved me
to tears, as they glowed with that same intense life. The diners'
reactions assured me that I wasn't alone in my emotional response to
this food. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at
the University of Missouri, sums up the major argument of Fresh: "It is time," he says, "to
shift to a different paradigm-- a different kind of paradigm for the
future" when it comes to growing food. With an emphasis on "maximum
short-run efficiency," conventional agricultural practices have caused
chemical and genetic contamination, loss and degradation of top soil
and, according to the USDA, a 40% decrease in the nutritional quality
of produce since 1950.
Meanwhile, we've created what Michael Pollan calls "animal
cities"--vast, inhumane livestock operations with major waste problems;
and "food deserts"--cityscapes where virtually no fresh, nutritious
produce is available for millions of residents.
Documentaries such as The Future of
Food and Food, Inc.
examine the dangers of industrial agriculture. Fresh takes up where these films
leave off. Along with incisive critiques by people like Michael Pollan,
John Ikerd, and Center for Food Safety director Andrew Kimbrell, Fresh focuses on a number of
people who are working to make the paradigm shift happen.
Producer/director Ana Joanes profiles inspiring people--from farmers to
grocers--who are already realizing their vision of broader access to
fresh, local food.
Fresh highlights
the difference between conventional chicken farming, where hundreds of
chicks are flung from crates onto the factory floor, and the natural
design orientation of Joel Salatin's Polyface farm. There, Salatin
talks the hens down out of their mobile chicken coops into verdant
pastures. Hog farmer Russ Kremer describes his conversion from
intensive hog production, complete with high intensity confinement and
associated heavy antibiotic and medication use, to a low density,
antibiotic-free, pasture-based operation. Will Allen, founder of
Growing Power in Milwaukee (Wisc.), shows how to reclaim city lots and
convert over six million pounds of city waste into compost, to grow
organic vegetables, farm tilapia, and raise goats.
By showing us these alternative farming practices-- along with a
cooperative and a grocer who work together to provide local food in the
midwest--Fresh also suggests
that consumers don't have to be helpless in the face of the bad news
that comes to us weekly in the form of food recalls, health alerts, and
confusing nutritional advice. The new paradigm John Ikerd advocates is
already being constructed.
This idea was echoed by the panel members during the after film
discussion. Tracy Frisch, cofounder of the Regional Farm and Food
Project and the Troy Farmers Market, commented on how much progress had
been made in the public awareness of food issues in the last several
years. Matthew Schueler, of Capital District Community Gardens, echoed
this. Forty seven organic community gardens are now available in a
3-county area. In the low income neighborhoods served by the Veggie
Mobile, Matthew said, "people recognize and ask for local food." Sarah
Pedinotti, local musician with the band Railbird, talked about her
project to promote understanding of local farmers and their lives.
Working with Dream Big Media, Sarah is creating "Farmony: Music to Your
Taste Buds"--you can view the trailer and find out more at http://farmony.blogspot.com.
In addition to the resources available at www.freshthemovie.com, panel
members suggested several organizations and their websites. These
include Food First at www.foodfirst.org; Community Food
Security Coalition at www.foodsecurity.org; ATTRA,
the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service at http://attra.ncat.org/;
and SARE, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education at www.sare.org.
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Food For Thought: An Evening of Socially
Relevant Cinema is co-sponsored by Honest Weight and
WAMC/Northeast Public Radio. Along with a documentary film, the monthly
event features food samples from the Co-op and a panel discussion
highlighting social, political, environmental and community issues.
Next up:
A Sea Change:
Imagine a World Without Fish
A retired teacher embarks on a quest to find out what's happening to
the oceans as a result of global warming--and uncovers a worldwide
crisis unknown to most of us. A discussion with filmmakers Barbara
Ettinger and Sven Huseby follows.
Thursday, March 18 at 6 pm
All screenings at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central
Ave., Albany. More info and tickets ($6): www.wamcarts.org/artsched.html,
or call 518-465-5233 ext.4.
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