Have you ever felt overwhelmed by how much there is to learn about our food supply? Harness the power of Netflix to make the process easier on yourself. There’s a lot of good news despite the severity of the bad news about the industrial food supply. For a crash course in all things food check out these 10 informative documentaries. In one cold weekend you can easily learn more about the food you are eating everyday, see where it’s coming from and why.
With this movie list you can head over to Netflix and learn just about everything you need to know about our nations most pressing food issues in a weekend.
Food Inc. is one of my most beloved food movies because they go in hard with facts to the heart of what’s wrong with our food supply.There is no fluff in the entire movie, and they share the the many levels of truth about real cost of cheap food. This is not a light movie, you will laugh, be outraged and especially if you are a parent, you may cry. The environmental toll our current agriculturally food system has on both the external and the internal environment is astounding. I recommend watching it at least three times this winter. Yes, really three times! The reason I make that recommendation is because the content in the movies is overwhelming in its scope. Rather than watching it once and risking the possibility of going into overwhelm, or ridicule. Watch it again to push through any opposition, then the third time you will be prepared to fully accept its documentation of our current food supply issues and create a game plan for staying healthy and finding high quality food to nourish your family.
Genetic Roulette– If you want to know the health science of what’s going on with GMO’s in regard to human and animal health. This film will help ground you in such a way that you will never have a confused moment about the issue of GMO’s again.
King Corn – This film covers the issue of corn and its foundation in our food supply very well. It’s not a really deep movie in its political motives. Basically this film shines light on the depth of the issues with our industrialized food supply with a slightly bizarre innocence. Definitely a film worth watching.
Food Stamped– Tackles the issue of whether or not people on food stamps can afford to eat healthy food. Washington policy makers are interviewed and share their experience of living on a food stamp budget while working out the dollar allotments for the program. The main focus of the movie is a food educator who eats clean foods as the foundation of her own personal diet normally. She embarks on a challenging journey with her partner of eating a healthy, clean foods diet on only a food stamp budget. Very well done, great movie!
Food Fight– This movie is a short but powerful window into the reality of the fight we have at a policy level for funding, the roots of the processed foods industry and original movers and shakers in the fight for clean food. It details the deeds of the misguided politicians and special interests that corrupt the reform of the food bill and keep governmental funding in the form of subsidies flowing towards foods that keep people unhealthy. Throughout is an inspiring narrative about people who are making a real difference and demanding change by showing it can be done on a small scale. With their success they’re seeking to hold the government accountable for funding foods that support health. Very inspiring movie, I highly recommend it!
Ingredients– This movie shares the roots of the local foods movement from the lens of the pioneering chef driven locally grown foods movement. The chefs were in search of the best, most flavorful ingredients. It’s also a tale of innovation, trust, changing the food culture, the roots of the local foods movement and the love of soil. It also sheds light on the loss of farmers, the loss of farmland on which to grow food ,suburban sprawl and land use issues.
Farmageddon – An eye opening look at the state of the methods that are being used to keep the local foods movement in distress. There is big money in clean food and those who don’t produce a quality clean product don’t want farmers drawing attention to the state of food today. This is a very important movie, everyone who eats needs to watch it.
Food Matters-Tackles the issue of how deeply connected what types of food we consume and our overall state of health are .Highlights the profit motives for keeping people ignorant about true wellness in order to have a steady client base for the medical system. They are raising many question about food and health matters and we should too.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John– This is a lighter film about food in some regards, but it tells the story of triumph, salvation and renewal of the family farm to a sustainable model with a big heart. Excellent movie with a touching story, wonderfully highlights the history of the American family farm!
FRESH -Wrapping up the weighty post with the movie that best illustrates the good news about food! Highlights some of the most innovative, go getters solutions driven farmers and food pioneers in America! I love this movie! Uplifting and positive! Solutions abound, are you ready to change the food supply? Great because this movie highlight folks who are already doing it! If you ever get depressed about food supply issues this film is for you!
We’re just getting started, consider this my top ten foodflix picks. There are more movies on this important subject and several more in production. As a small scale food producer I want to take a moment thank you for your interest in the local food movement. Purchasing high quality, local, nutrient dense foods is an investment that goes way beyond your personal plate. Your choices are making a difference, and you’re helping to pave the way for healthy food for all.
Share which of the above movies made your favorites list in the comments below.