Falls Church’s Farmers Market Chef program and Creative Cauldron are teaming up to promote keeping food and diets local, kicking off with a showing of “Fresh – the Movie” in late April.
“Fresh,” released last year, spotlights farmers and activists who champion local food production and consumption – with the goal of making American diets healthier and more sustainable.
It’s a good place for Falls Church activists to start, according to Farmers Market Chef program coordinator Kathleen Nixon.
“I saw ‘Fresh’ last fall and felt very inspired,” Nixon said. “The movie integrates really well with the message of the Farmers Market in Falls Church, which is that we make a difference in how we eat and where we get our food. We can cook instead of heat up in a microwave.”
Nixon said that unlike other recent documentary-style films on the U.S. food industry, the focus of “Fresh” remains positive.
“‘Fresh’ celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet,” Nixon said in an announcement for the screening, which is slated for 7:30 p.m. April 21 at Falls Church ArtSpace (410 S. Maple Ave.).
Local eating establishments such as Willow, Sinplicity Catering, Liberty Tavern and Falls Church’s Argia’s Restaurant are contributing food to the event. Several Falls Church Farmers Market participants will explain how they grow their food, and why they believe the farmers market is the best option for consumers.
Proceeds from the event will go to Falls Church-based theater company Creative Cauldron, which runs a summer Arts Adventure camp for children.
This summer, children will learn how local farmers grow their produce, and how to cook food using healthy preparations.
“So many kids don’t know what a real tomato tastes like,” Nixon said. “If we can start with the youth, and show them it’s fun to cook, we can make real progress.”
Tickets for the screening and food sampling are $20, and can be purchased on the Creative Cauldron website, www.brownpapertickets.com/
