Phenomenal Food Flick: Fresh

Last week in California, Ann Marie & I (and a reader who joined us…Hi Sarah!) went to see a couple Food Flicks in Newport Beach at the Film Festival.

The first one we saw was “Food Fight”, but we ran late enjoying our lunch at Joe’s Restaurant in Venice so we only caught the end.  Soon I’ll watch the whole thing and tell you more then.  (Read more and see the Food Fight trailer.)

The main event: “Fresh, the Movie”

We all walked out of there feeling re-energized and inspired to continue on in our quest to help others make connections with their food and regain vibrant health!

Here are a few highlights (a bit hodge-podge, sorry, it’s past midnight and our 3 year old won’t go to sleep, thanks to his nap today):

• Some thought this movie was like “The Omnivore's Dilemma” in a film format.
• Joel Salatin:  “We are responsible as stewards of the earth to respect the design of nature…treat the herbivore as a herbivore first, and the rest will fall into place.”
• Michael Pollan:  “Cheap food is an illusion, the real cost of food is paid somewhere.”
• The part of the movie that stuck with me the most was the footage showing an interview with a couple who now operate a conventional farm.  There was a defensive tone in their voices, but at the same time, there was a sad, emptiness in their eyes.
• In an amazing contrast, I loved the shots of Joel Salatin at his farm in Virginia.  He is clearly portrayed as a man at peace with God and with himself and how he runs his farm.  The differences between his field and his neighbor’s were interesting – his was lush and green, theirs was dry and brown.  Not only that, but growing food sustainably and learning to keep soil healthy is also profitable.  He told the difference in what he earns per acre compared to his conventional neighbor’s farm and I didn’t get it in my notes, but he makes a significant amount more.  Not to mention that the conventional farms shown in the film had a huge employee turnover, and very few applicants for jobs, due to the poor working conditions and nauseating smells; however, at a sustainable farm they showed their huge stack of applications, and the employees working there are happy.
• Beneficial bacteria keeps the soil healthy, just as it keeps people healthy.  (You make think I’m crazy, but the concept of healthy soil fascinates me – healthy soil = healthy grass = healthy animals = healthy people.  Have you read about high-brix farming?)
• In the past, animals were moved to graze from field to field and their manure was used for fertilizer – all in the natural cycle of things.  Now they’re crammed into tiny spaces on cement floors, their waste is called pollution, and it’s a big dilemma trying to figure out what to do with it.
• Another neat part of the movie was about a man named Will Allen, and what he’s doing with 3 acres in the middle of the city – translation:  we can all do something…
• Afterward there was a panel discussion on the movie, and Ken & Kathy from Lindner Bison Farm made a strong point:  raising the awareness about sustainable farming is all great, but look around.  How many young farmers do you see?  Many are older and we need to encourage our young people to think of choosing this noble career.  (I got to see the Lindners three different times in the 4 days I was in CA, and they made me feel like a long-lost friend…they’re that sweet to everyone!  Please check out their site and buy some of their 100% grass fed bison, which is a very healthy meat!  They’re pictured below.)  
• A question asked to the panel was in regard to this dilemma:  if you have to choose between local/not organic or not local/organic, which should you choose? The panel agreed (& so do I) that local is more important than organic, mainly because you never know the quality of the organic anyway, when it’s coming from so far away.  (But organic is a close second in my eyes, to avoid all the pesticides, GMO’s, etc.)
• There was SO much more that I wanted to share with you, but I either couldn’t take notes fast enough, or I can’t read my notes now, a week later.  (A journalist I am not.)  Soon it will be available to see for a dollar or two on the internet – watch it and come back here to let us know what you thought!
• You can see the FRESH trailer at my other recent post about the movie.
• Read more about my trip to California and all the funky foods I was force fed…