Films & Resources for Encouraging Sustainability & Health (F.R.E.S.H.), comprised of a group of students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is showing a free, eight-week film series titled “Food for Thought,” beginning Oct. 11 in Eau Claire, Wis.
UW-Stout student Catie Rawlins is a member and leader in F.R.E.S.H. Rawlins explained how the film festival began.
“VISTA coordinator Trevor Peterson, Sustainability Coordinator Sarah Rykal and myself started out small thinking of showing maybe one or two films, but as we collaborated ideas it began to grow and take on a grander purpose,” said Rawlins.
The dominant goal of F.R.E.S.H. is to “educate about sustainable topics and connect people and groups together on a united front for ecological integrity,” said Rawlins.
UW-Stout student, fellow F.R.E.S.H. member and Involvement and Leadership Sustainability Specialist Camille Thorson has high hopes for the film series.
“We hope that folks become more aware of the food and nutrients that they are eating, learn about problems we are facing in our current agricultures and discuss collaboratively on how to improve nutrition for a healthy lifestyle,” said Thorson.
F.R.E.S.H. wants this film series to “make the local connection between what is seen on the film and what you as an individual can do [in the organic and sustainable food movement],” said Rawlins.
“Hopefully it will educate on the importance of nutrition, supporting local agriculture and non-GMO foods and why these things matter, and how it affects the world on a global scale,” said Rawlins.
F.R.E.S.H. is also trying to get more students to visit the other campuses and meet other students.
“The two cities are so close together, and both are doing great things toward sustainability and community engagement that we want to merge the two for the event,” said Thorson.
Because F.R.E.S.H. is presenting the films amidst two major campuses, they hope to have a sizable amount of people in attendance for each film.
“All of the films we chose were meant to appeal to a wide variety of groups and present a diversity of topics,” said Rawlins. “Even if people cannot attend all of the films, they can still get the experience by going to at least one or attend a film they specifically relate to. It’s all about food. Something anyone can relate to or have interest in,” said Rawlins.
In addition to each film, a speaker has been chosen by F.R.E.S.H. to present a specific topic in relation to the subsequent film. The groups or individuals, however, were chosen for much more than an introductory purpose.
“[F.R.E.S.H.] wanted to choose the speakers based on their ties to the local community in both Menomonie and Eau Claire, and that could give further insight and be a role model for the film’s content,” said Rawlins. “Having speakers knowledgeable about the subject can answer questions and foster discussion.”
In today’s ever-growing “green” world, the population shows an increasing interest in sustainability. Innumerable amounts of people are joining and attempting to sway the interest of others toward this movement in hopes of enlightening them about the impact it will have on the future of our planet.
“Hopefully with the speakers and the films it will inspire good changes and provide a foundation for future collaboration,” said Rawlins. “While F.R.E.S.H. is not an official group, talking to Sarah Rykal or Trevor Peterson would be the best way to get involved in this or other like events on both campuses.”
The first film being showcased in Menomonie on Oct. 18 is called “The Vanishing of the Bees,” with the UW-Eau Claire Foodlums Beekeepers. The film increases awareness about the vanishing honeybee population. It follows two commercial beekeepers who strive to keep a healthy bee population. The documentary also explores the struggle between scientists and beekeepers to find a reasoning in the decline of honeybees.
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Special Deal at Waterfront: Bring in the program from the film to Waterfront Bar & Grill, and receive 50% off one food item until the kitchen closes. The deal is only valid with the program from that date. The Waterfront will be creating a special local meal that will only be served on the nights of the showings, and the ingredients for this meal will be purchased from the Menomonie Market Food Co-op (right across the street from the Waterfront).
Film Schedule:
Forks Over Knives
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Council Fire Room, Davies Center, UWEC
http://forksoverknives.com/
Speakers: Tammy Schwartz, Dr. Laura Bertram, Cheri Dostal, Jeremy Bucholz, and Dr. Robyn Sandin
Vanishing of the Bees
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie
http://www.vanishingbees.com/
Speakers: UWEC Foodlums Beekeepers
Black Gold
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie
http://blackgoldmovie.com/http://blackgoldmovie.com/
Speakers: TBA
Food Stamped
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie
http://www.foodstamped.com/
Speakers: Stepping Stones of Dunn County
*Please bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry to this event
Dirty Work
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie
http://dirtyworkfilm.blogspot.com/
Speaker: Deb Wallwork, film director
Ingredients
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
100 Hibbard Hall, UWEC
http://www.ingredientsfilm.com/
Speaker: Vic Price, Out to Pasture Beef
Lunch Line
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
100 Hibbard Hall, UWEC
http://lunchlinefilm.com/http://lunchlinefilm.com/
Speakers: TBA
Terra Madre
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Davies Theater, Davies Center, UWEC
Speakers: Nathan Berg and Christian Wise
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