BriarPatch Blogs » food film

The Dark Side of Chocolate

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:59:56 +0000

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, chocolate is on many people’s minds. What if that heart box you were planning on purchasing from your corner drug store wasn’t as sweet a treat as you thought?

What if the chocolate we’re eating began its journey with child labor? The rumors of child trafficking take Miki Mistrati from Germany for a cocoa convention to the Ivory Coast, where most cocoa beans are produced.

While in Mali, West Africa, Mistrati witnesses trafficking and shows the viewer the evidence through both regular and hidden camera work. The investigation is at times potentially dangerous and always emotionally rough. Did the signing of a contract to oppose child labor strip the major chocolate organizations of any responsibility? That’s up to the consumer to decide.

“The Dark Side of Chocolate” shows on Friday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. as part of BriarPatch’s Friday Food Film series. Suzanne Angell, the co-founder of an organic and fair trade chocolate company (Angell Bar), will be attending the screening to answer questions.

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School Lunch

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:15:17 +0000

I used to help out in the lunchroom at school in order to get one of the coveted “hot lunches” that my elementary school provided. Not equipped with a cafeteria, or even a kitchen, the lunches came pretty much ready to go. Salty tater tots, hamburgers with smashed buns, and cups of “milkshakes” that were always frozen solid were pretty typical fare. I think back to those days spent spooning goop onto trays and shudder. I was a kid, so I thought that food was special – way better than the sandwiches, carrots, and thermoses of milk my mom provided us with. As an adult, I’ve realized that “hot lunch” was probably the last thing I should have been consuming. It made me lethargic. I didn’t want to play at recess. It made my stomach hurt. It made me more irritable. But as a kid, I thought those lunches were the best thing around.

I’m old enough that vending machines and junk food hadn’t made their way into elementary schools, but that’s the normal state of cafeterias now. When one Mom discovered that her child was eating junk food because of the ease of availability, she became angry, and a film was born. “Two Angry Moms” explores why our school lunch system has turned into an institution that no longer offers recognizable food to kids. Not only does it explain the why, it also explains how parents can change the school lunch program in their own districts. When you realize that children today have shorter life expectancies than their parents, you may become an angry Mom, too.

“Two Angry Moms” plays at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3 in the BriarPatch Community Room. The complete film schedule is available on BriarPatch’s website.

What’s On Your Plate?

Eat Local Extravaganza

Mellisa Hannum — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:56:27 +0000

It’s almost August, which means it’s almost time for the Eat Local Extravaganza!

2011 is looking to be a good year. With local produce just starting to really roll in due to the long, wet winter and mild start to the summer, absence has made the heart grow fonder, and I am yearning for lots of local treats. Sadly, stone fruits are scarce this season, but leafy greens are bountiful, tender, and sweet.

Have you been wondering about some of the local products carried at BriarPatch but having been quite willing to pull the trigger on a purchase? August is your opportunity to try tons of items, as every weekday will have local and regional food samples ranging from olive oil to ice cream and everything in between.

The Gold Country Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation will be holding a screening of “Farmageddon” at the Holiday Inn Express in Grass Valley on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the customer service window for $10. A no host welcome reception will precede the film at 6:00 p.m. and after the film, Mark McAfee from Organic Pastures will be available for an open discussion.

Wendy of In The Kitchen will be teaching a class on canning tomatoes on August 3 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The class is $50 and should be great for all of you new to the world of canning. Plus, it will be fun, and you’ll go home with canned tomato goodness.

BriarPatch is sponsoring a farm tour at Riverhill Farm in Nevada City on Sunday, August 14 at 9:00 a.m. Alan and Jo are amazing people and are sure to give a very interesting tour of their farm. As the location of my CSA, I can personally attest to how beautiful the land is – a definite not-to-be-missed opportunity.

Local tomatoes should just be getting bountiful around August 28 when In The Kitchen is hosting their very first open kitchen event. The Community Canning Day is $15 and goes from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Imagine a mess of tomatoes brought from yours and every other attendee’s gardens, questions answered, and canning commenced. It should be a lively time indeed. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early.

Of course, you can look forward to many local food oriented blogs from Kathy and me on the BriarPatch webpage as well as blogs from Wendy of In The Kitchen, Kathy, and me on the Eat Local! America national co-op site.

Hooray for local food! Let’s get cooking.

Living Lands

Mellisa Hannum — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:01:04 +0000

I can’t think of a better way to send off Food Film Fridays than with a screening of “Living Lands Agrarian Network” introduced by farmer and Living Lands founder, Leo Chapman.

Amanda Bontecou has done a wonderful job documenting what Living Lands is about and takes the viewer through a joyful local adventure. Watching “Living Lands Agrarian Network” is thoroughly enjoyable and will make the viewer proud to be a part of the community.

After the movie, Bontecou will be available to comment on the movie as well as talking about how to support our local food system.

“Living Lands Agrarian Network” shows on March 25 at 7:00 p.m.

The Golden State of Food

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:32:45 +0000

Beginning and ending in San Francisco, the filmmaker’s hometown, “In Search of Good Food” travels 2000 miles in a tour of California’s sustainable food system.

From Ventura to Hoopa, the viewer is treated to picturesque farms throughout the Golden State, while learning about the trials and triumphs of sustainable farming practices.

Amigo Bob makes a cameo appearance, making “In Search of Good Food” a treat for Nevada County locals. Farmers markets, Veritable Vegetable, ranches, diverse crops, and water issues are all explored in this 60 minute documentary. It plays on Friday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. in BriarPatch’s Community Room and is a great way to experience a wide swath of California agriculture.

The Real Dirt

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:31:58 +0000

At some times more home movie than documentary, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” is so captivating, the viewer becomes part of the story.

Farmer John is different from the average Midwestern farmer — but in a very good way. He’s passionate and creative, unflinching and trailblazing. Following the tale of a young man in charge of a large farm, continuing through his self-discovery as a college student, and finishing with his losses and rebirth, the viewer rides along on the undulations of a life experienced to the utmost.

At times so beautiful and heart wrenching the tears will freely flow, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” is one of those films that shouldn’t be missed. “Farmer John” plays on Friday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the BriarPatch Community Room. The complete film schedule is available on BriarPatch’s website.

What’s On Your Plate?

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:07:02 +0000

Becoming aware of which foods are healthy, where they’re available, and where they’re grown is the investigation of two young girls on “What’s on Your Plate?”

Sadie and Safiyah go on a journey of farming, markets, food politics, and self-exploration. Along the way they discover the harmful effects of ignorant eating as well as the detriment done to the environment when an apple that could be obtained locally is sought from the other end of the globe.

Heartwarming and fun, this is a film for all ages. Parents, teens, and young children will all enjoy finding out what’s on their plates. “What’s on Your Plate?” plays in the BriarPatch Community Room at 7:00 p.m. on February 18.

Dirt Made My Lunch

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:07:19 +0000

Like the simple fun of making mud pies, “Dirt! The Movie” begins with the celebration of soil. As the importance of dirt is explored, the film continues on its journey, showing how humans have hurt the land beneath them. Through senseless acts and a refusal to see how it will affect the future, mountains in the Appalachians have been scalped and deserts have spread where once was fertile ground. The pain of what is happening to the planet is made personal. The film continues to grow, not ignoring the regrets of mistreatment, but exploring how to be better, how to fix it. “Dirt!” takes the viewer from the joys of youth and the thoughtless acts of adolescence to the full, productive outlook of adulthood. As our understanding and respect of dirt grows, our environment becomes a healthier, greater place to be. Which makes sense – we are dirt. It’s a fact the film wants us to never forget.

Rivers & Roses

Mellisa Hannum — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:37:55 +0000

“Big River” is a 27 minute film with a huge impact. Picking up where “King Corn” left off, the viewer is taken on the journey of how farming corn with chemicals has an impact both locally and far downriver. The terrible consequences of our nation’s dependence on chemical fertilizers and herbicides is shown, from farmers’ wives dying of cancer to Blue Baby Syndrome to the Dead Zone in the Gulf. “Big River” doesn’t allow the viewer to ignore the chemicals that flow downstream.

At what price, beauty? “A Blooming Business” exposes the ugly side to a product whose loveliness can hide a sinister secret. The Kenyan workers interviewed in the film see roses as something other than sweet. The harsh realities, brutal work environment, and the devastation being inflicted upon the environment will cause you to question the origin of conventional flowers. Deena, BriarPatch’s floral department specialist, will give a presentation after the screening to explain what the store is doing to avoid purchasing bouquets from questionable businesses.

“Big River” and “A Blooming Business” will be shown on February 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the BriarPatch Community Room. Space is limited, so make sure to come early.

Food Film Fridays

Mellisa Hannum — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:49:12 +0000

This year, SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival had a few food films, but not enough to fill our own Food Film Fridays. That meant that I got to surf the internet, looking for new films to screen at this year’s event. As I searched and read reviews, I got more and more excited for what we could show. I chose films that gave positive tools on changing the world through food. Along the way, I discovered ones that were somewhat outside of that realm, like “A Blooming Business,” but still were important for our patrons to see, as well as choosing a feel-good film that’s become a classic, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.” I hope you’re as excited about this year’s line-up as I am. Like last year, I’ll post my description of each film a week before it shows. I can’t wait until February!

Friday, February 4

“Big River,” a King Corn companion

PLUS

“A Blooming Business”

27 minutes/52 minutes

by Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis/Ton van Zantvoort

Following up on their Peabody winning documentary, the King Corn boys are back. For Big River, they have returned to Iowa with a new mission: to investigate the environmental impact their acre of corn has sent to the people and places downstream. bigriverfilm.com

A revealing investigation on the global flower supply, “A Blooming Business” exposes the horrific working conditions that people must endure to keep their jobs as well as shedding light on the huge amounts of pesticides used to keep flowers alive. 7thart.com

Friday, February 11

“Dirt! The Movie”

80 minutes

by Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow

“DIRT! the Movie,” narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis, brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil. dirtthemovie.org

Friday, February 18

“What’s On Your Plate?”

76 minutes

by Catherine Gund

Filmed over the course of one year, “What’s On Your Plate” follows two eleven-year-old kids as they explore their place in the food chain. Sadie and Safiyah take a close look at food systems in New York City and its surrounding areas. With the camera as their companion, the girls talk to each other, food activists, farmers, new friends, storekeepers, their families, and the viewer, in their quest to understand what’s on all of our plates. whatsonyourplateproject.org

Friday, February 25

“Two Angry Moms”

62 minutes

by Amy Kalafa

Amy Kalafa was stewing for years, packing her kids lunches from home and trying to get her community to pay attention to what kids are eating in school. When news of a national child health crisis began making headlines, Amy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, decided to take the fight to film. “Two Angry Moms” is Amy’s quest to learn what she and other parents need to know and do to get better food in their kids’ schools. Susan Rubin had been trying for a decade to work with her district on improving school food, earning herself a reputation as a rabble-rouser. Exasperated, she decided to reach beyond her school district, and founded Better School Food, her own grassroots organization. angrymoms.org

Friday, March 4

“The Real Dirt on Farmer John”

82 minutes

by Taggart Siegel

The epic tale of a maverick Midwestern farmer. An outcast in his community, Farmer John bravely stands amidst a failing economy, vicious rumors, and violence. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression, this powerful story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection of farming in America. angelicorganics.com

Friday, March 11

“In Search of Good Food”

60 minutes

by Antonio Roman-Alcalá

Antonio travels California in search of the emerging “sustainable food system.” Does it actually exist? The journey features farmers, scientists, politicians, activists, and everyday eaters. insearchofgoodfood.org

Friday, March 18

“The Greenhorns”

38 minutes

by Severine von Tscharner Fleming

“The Greenhorns” is a documentary film that explores the lives of America’s young farming community — its spirit, practices, and needs. As the nation experiences a groundswell of interest in sustainable lifestyles, we see the promising beginnings of an agricultural revival. Young farmers’ efforts feed us safe food, conserve valuable land, and reconstitute communities split apart by strip malls. thegreenhorns.net

Friday, March 25

“Living Lands”

20 minutes

by Amanda Bontecou

Living Lands Agrarian Network brings farmer activists together in their efforts to grow food and create a new paradigm where relationships are valued, work is shared, and celebration is abundant. livinglandsagrariannetwork.org, amandabontecou.com.

Descriptions adapted from film websites.