Film is a powerful tool in the sustainable food movement.
Over the past few years, several documentary films-- big budget and bootsrapped
productions-- have changed the way Americans think about food. The strength of
these documentaries lie in the artful combination of poignant messages and
compelling imagery.
Here’s why. The “problem” is often too big to comprehend.
But real people doing real work often makes change seem possible. Which has
underscored the power of many documentary films. Putting a face to others
working in the trenches has inspired many new people to “join” the movement.
Documentaries have been one of my go-to tools here in
Boulder. I have been here for nearly 8-months and my job is known by most in
this small town. People often refer to me as
“Food Lady,” “Health Nut,” or “Garden Girl.” In fact, just the other
day, I had my first lesson with the Kindergarten class and when I walked into
the room, the kids jumped out of their seats and excitedly asked if I’d brought
them vegetables to eat.
 |
| Jessie dishing up lentil hummus |
“Miss Lea, do you have any of that yellow mush for us!”
“You mean lentil hummus?”
“Yes that!”
“No, today we’re going to make nut butter!”
“Ok, but sometime will you bring us that yellow stuff
again?”
“Yes, I’ll bring you hummus soon.”
(How cool is it that kindergartners are begging for lentil
hummus!?)
While I am thrilled that students, teachers, parents and
community members recognize and appreciate the work I do, there are also times
that I begin to worry that my message (re: the benefits of healthful
eating, supporting local and sustainable food, starting gardens, etc.) gets
tired. And maybe even lost.
Which is precisely the moment I turn to film. It has been
incredibly important for me to have my information reaffirmed and reinvigorated
by other sources.
I started a weekly Food Film Series at the Boulder Public
Library in January. Each Thursday at 7PM, community members come to view a
different documentary on food. I provide healthy snacks often inspired by the
subject of the film (i.e. Non-GMO, organic popcorn for King Corn) and
community members stay afterwards for a discussion.
It’s not uncommon that we find ourselves in the library
until well-after 10PM in passionate conversation about the ramifications of the
film’s subject matter in our lives. Everyone asks: “What we can do here in
Boulder to increase awareness about the issues and work together for change”?
The ideas that have blossomed out of this film series are
astounding. Sure, it was my work in classrooms, Methodist hall meeting rooms,
gardens, and town streets that started the conversation. But it often takes a
stirring message--and some powerful imagery-- to excite people to action. Eight
films later, teams of people have emerged from the woodwork ready to make
change in Boulder, or at least in their own lives.
I am excited to see how many people we can reach one year-
and fifty films - from now.
Speaking of film, check out Jefferson High School’s PSA
called “You Are What You Eat.” It was recently awarded the Grand Prize for
Montana Team Nutrition’s Youth Focus on Health Video Competition!
Lentil
Hummus:
Ingredients:
●
Montana-grown lentils
●
Olive Oil
●
Garlic
●
Lemon Juice
●
Salt
●
Spice (smoked paprika, cumin, curry, or any other
spice that strikes your fancy!)
Instructions:
●
Cook lentils with several cloves of garlic, a
drizzle of olive oil, and a dash of salt in water until well done/mushy.
(approx 1:3 ratio of lentils to water)
●
Toss in spice to taste when almost done boiling.
●
Pour in blender with a squeeze of lemon juice
and a tad more olive oil.
●
Blend until creamy.
●
Use as dip for your favorite fruit, veggie or
bread. Enjoy!
Lea's Films Screenings in Boulder:
January:- Food, Inc.
- Tapped
February and March:
- Friday, February 3: DIRT!
- Friday, February 17: Chocolat
- Tuesday, February 21: King Corn
- Tuesday, February 28: Vanishing of the Bees
- Tuesday, March 6: A Delicate Balance CANCELED
- Thursday, March 15: Supersize Me
- Thursday, March 22: The Real Dirt on Farmer John
- Thursday, March 29: Queen of the Sun
Truck Farm
Food Stamped
The Greenhorns
Forks Over Knives
Blue Gold
Processed People
Dive
Finding North
Farmrun “On the Anatomy of Thrift” – A friend’s film (you
can stream online)
The Future of Food
The Garden
Fast Food Nation
American Meat
Fresh
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