Film Showing Set for Eve of Sixth Annual Food Symposium
Wilmington College will host an exclusive screening of the yet-to-be-released film, Just Eat It, A Food Waste Story, April 7, at 7:30 p.m., in Hugh G. Heiland Theatre.
The screening, which is free of charge, is being held on the eve of WC’s sixth annual Food Symposium April 8 under the theme “Waste Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.”
Just Eat It is based on the premise that we all love food. Indeed, as a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly half of it in the trash?
Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of food waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on foods that have been discarded.
In a nation where one in 10 people is food insecure, the images they capture of squandered groceries are both shocking and strangely compelling. But as Grant's addictive personality turns full tilt towards food rescue, the “thrill of the find” has unexpected consequences.
Featuring interviews with author/activist Tristram Stuart, food waste expert Dana Gunders and acclaimed author Jonathan Bloom, Just Eat It looks at our systemic obsession with expiry dates, perfect produce and portion sizes, and reveals the core of this seemingly insignificant issue that is having devastating consequences around the globe.
Just Eat It brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is equal parts education and entertainment.
The Food Symposium schedule includes the Food Waste Fair featuring student research, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Hermann Court; a Cookie Bake-off in Kelly Center, from 1 to 2 p.m.; and a panel discussion in Kelly Center, from 2 to 3 p.m. on the topic, “Food Waste Prevention: Opportunities and Threats.”
The Food Waste Fair will feature student research projects, free food sampling and 20-minute, on-stage demonstrations by: Monte and Diane Anderson on food dehydration as a preservation strategy, Mike and Sandra Millard on long-term food storage methods, WC seniors Ellen Short and Bri Knisely giving a food waste bio-digester demonstration, senior A.J. Ganger sharing compost toilet designs and San Fillipo produce’s methods for preventing food waste through strategic distribution.
Details on how to register for the Cookie Bake-Off are available here. This activity comes on the heels of extremely successful pie and cake-making contests in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The Food Symposium is an annual event hosted by Wilmington College that focuses on contemporary topics in food production, distribution, consumption, ethics and politics. It is free of charge.
