“Reel” Food Film Fest – coming to a library near you

Media contact: Sara Southerland, Food & Farming Outreach Coordinator
sara@sconnect.org, (360) 647.7093 x114
          
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         
January 18, 2012 – Bellingham, WA

“Reel” Food Film Fest – coming to a library near you

Whatcom County, WA – Five organizations involved in promoting local food will host the “Reel Food Film Fest,” an engaging film series on food and farming this winter and spring.

“These films tell the real stories behind our food and show how people are changing the way they eat for the better," said Laura Ridenour, Food and Farming Manager at Sustainable Connections. “We wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to have that experience.”

The documentaries will be screened at eight public libraries. The series will culminate with a showing and an event at the Pickford Film Center. The line-up of feature-length films includes “Food, Inc.”, “Good Food”, “Food Stamped,” "King Corn," and “Forks Over Knives”. The line-up of libraries includes Lynden, Everson, Ferndale, Deming, Bellingham, Fairhaven, North Fork, and Blaine.

The Reel Food Film Fest is only partly about the films. Organized by The Community Food Co-op, Whatcom Farm to School Support Team, Alm Hill Gardens, Local Food Works, Sustainable Connections, and with the support of the Whatcom County Library System, the viewings will be followed by delicious treats and community discussions with farmers, cooks and community groups working on local food projects.

“We hope that by offering the series for free, people all over Whatcom County will be talking about how the film topics may apply to their area, and get excited to be involved in Farm to School projects, or other local food initiatives,” Ridenour said.

Film Descriptions
Food, Inc. is the number one documentary cited for changing the way individuals eat. An eye-opening expose of the modern food industry, Food, Inc. explores where the food we purchase at the grocery store really comes from, and what it means for the health of future generations. Essential viewing for everyone who eats. (93 minutes, PG)

Good Food was filmed in Northwest Washington telling the story of how small family farmers are making a comeback – growing more healthy food while using less energy and water. Many familiar area farms like Alm Hill Gardens, Skagit River Ranch and Blue Heron Farms are featured as well as regional farmers’ markets, distributors, stores and restaurants. (72 minutes, NR)

Food Stamped is an informative and humorous documentary film following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. It was named among “must see” food documentaries of 2011 and is timely in regards to the growing number of the population that is currently receiving food stamps assistance. (63 minutes, NR)

King Corn is a documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. Best friends from college move Iowa to learn where their food comes from and with the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a crop of corn, America's most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. (90 min, PG)

Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. An exploration of  the idea of food as medicine is put to the test as cameras follow "reality patients" who have chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes, while they adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as the primary approach to treat their ailments. (90 minutes, PG )

All but one Reel Food Film Fest showing is free, and include discussion and refreshments. The exception is the culminating show at the Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, which will cost the regular price of a movie ticket and will be followed by a panel and special reception.

The first Reel Food Film Fest event schedule runs through May. More speakers, fun film shorts from around the country and details about the food offered in conjunction with the films will be announced closer to the showings. Check www.sustainableconnections.org for updated information.

If you love gardening, cooking and eating well, or if you want to know more about what’s going on with local food initiatives in Whatcom County, these free films are worth putting on your calendar for a trip to your area library.


Reel Food Film Fest Calendar

Food, Inc.

Sat. February 18
Everson Public Library, 3 p.m.
Speakers: Farmers Gretchen Hoyt, Alm Hill Gardens & Rio Thomas

Sat. February 18
Fairhaven Library Fireplace Room, 2 p.m.
Speaker: Christopher Keefe, Non-GMO Project, Leah VanderStoep, Nooksack Delta Ranch, Sara Southerland, Sustainable Connections Eat Local First campaign

Sat. March 10
Ferndale Public Library, 2 p.m.
Speakers: Sara Southerland, Sustainable Connections Eat Local First campaign

Good Food

Tues. March 6
Bellingham Central Library - Community Room, 7 p.m.
Speakers: Gretchen Hoyt, Jay Dennison, Clayton Burrows
Host: Sara Southerland, Sustainable Connections Eat Local First campaign

Tues. March 13
Deming Public Library, 7 p.m.
Speakers: Farmers Geoff & Anna Martin, Osprey Hill Farm, Margie Bell, Local Food Works

Sat. April 14
Ferndale Public Library, 2 p.m.
Host: Sustainable Connections
 
Tues. May 15
North Fork Public Library, 7 p.m.
Speakers: Katie Marie Chugg, Parent Teacher Organization President and Garden Coordinator at Kendall Elementary
Host: Margie Bell, Local Food Works!

Food Stamped

Wed. March 28
Blaine Public Library, 6:30pm
Host: Community Food Co-op
Speaker: Dan Persse, Let's Move Blaine

Sat. March 31
Lynden Public Library, 1 p.m.
Host: Community Food Co-op
Spekers: Dave Timmer, stewardship director of the Lynden A Rocha chapter and
Jeff Littlejohn, director of Imagine NW! and an organizer of the North City Community Garden in Lynden.

Tues. April 17
North Fork Public Library, 7 p.m.
Speakers: Katie Marie Chugg, Parent Teacher Organization President and Garden Coordinator at Kendall Elementary
Host: Margie Bell, Local Food Works!

King Corn

Sat. March 17
Everson Public Library, 3 p.m.
Speakers: Farmers Gretchen Hoyt, Alm Hill Gardens & Rio Thomas

Forks over Knives

Saturday, April 21
Everson Public Library, 3 p.m.
Speakers: Farmers Gretchen Hoyt, Alm Hill Gardens & Rio Thomas


Culminating Celebration
Film(s): TBA
Thurs. April 19
Pickford Film Center, 6-9 p.m.
Culminating event with all 5 organizations, a panel following the films and an edible reception with local chefs

For more information and updated event details, visit www.sustainableconnections.org or contact Sara Southerland, Food & Farming Outreach Coordinator: 360-647-7093 x 114.
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