A NEW FILM ABOUT WHAT WE’RE EATING

What is the cost of the industrial farming operations that are going on today? How healthy is the food that you are eating? How are the animals you eat treated? And is there an alternative? These are questions that the documentary FRESH attempts to answer. FRESH tells the stories of real people, connecting audiences not with facts and figures or apocalyptic policy analysis, but with examples of personal initiative and concrete ways to engage in a new food model.



WHEN: December 18 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Avenue,Tenafly

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who have witnessed the rapid transformation of our agricultural system into an industrial model. Confronting the consequences, such as food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources and morbid obesity, these visionary people are looking to re-invent our food system and to forge healthier, sustainable alternatives that can offer a practical vision for a future of healthier food and a sustainable planet.

After the screening, a panel discussion will follow with Ana Joanes, the film director; Naf Hanau, CEO of Grow & Behold Foods; Ted Stephens, local NJ farmer; and Gary Oppenheimer, AmpleHarvest.org Founder/CNN Hero. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Hisham Moharram, Founder & Manager of Good Tree Farm in New Egypt, NJ. The program is part of the JCC’s Hazon CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) initiative.

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, a 2008 recipient of the MacArthur “genius” grant and recently named one of Time’s 100 most influential people; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur Joel Salatin, made famous by The Omnivore’s Dilemma, the best-selling book by Michael Pollan, who is also featured in the movie; and, Kansas City supermarket owner David Ball, who is challenges our Wal-Mart-dominated economy every day by stocking his stores with products from local suppliers.

Will Allen, a 6’7” former professional basketball player, who is now one of the most influential leaders of the food security and urban farming movement. His farm and not-for-profit, Growing Power, have trained and inspired people in every corner of the US to start growing sustainable crops. Addressing concerns beyond growing food, his organization also provides a platform for people to share knowledge and form partnerships in order to develop alternatives to the industrial food system.

Joel Salatin, a world-famous sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, made famous by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, who is also in the movie. Joel Salatin writes in his website that he is in the “redemption business: healing the land, healing the food, healing the economy, and healing the culture.” By closely observing nature, Joel created a rotational grazing system that not only allows the land to heal, but also allows the animals to live as they were meant to—expressing their “chicken-ness” or “pig-ness,” as Joel would say.

David Ball, a supermarket owner, challenging Wal-Mart and other big chains that dominate the economy. Witnessing the decline of his family-run supermarket in a once-thriving local farm community, David Ball reinvented his business, partnering with area farmers to sell locally-grown food and specialty food products at affordable prices. His plan has brought the local economy back to life.

By profiling the most inspiring people, ideas and initiatives around the US, FRESH makes us believe that individual actions do in fact matter. It showcases real people and connects audiences not with facts and figures or apocalyptic policy analysis, but with personal stories of change.

Babysitting, starting after 7:00 PM, will be available for an added fee. For more information, call Steve Golden at 201.408.1409. For information on a December 18 teen program for 6^th – 8^th graders that begins at 7:00 PM, please contact Sara Lewis at 201.408.1469.