Central Coast Bioneers and the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival are teaming up to present the Central Coast Premiere of Food Patriots, on Wednesday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with experts in the local food systems movement.
Touched by their teenage son’s battle with a foodborne superbug, Chicago filmmakers Jeff and Jennifer Spitz document their family’s struggle to raise backyard chickens, grow food, and transform into “Food Patriots.” Food Patriots features people from all walks of life who are trying to change the way Americans eat and buy food, and educate the next generation of consumers.
This film is a perfect ‘teaser’ for the Bioneers Conference, a leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity. This year, there will be a major food and farming track at the annual conference, scheduled for October 25-27 at the Monday Club in San Luis Obispo. Workshops will include access to capital for small farmers, the new model of getting back to farming basics, growing nutrient dense foods and a Green Chef Cookoff. The Central Coast Bioneers website has details of the full program and tickets are available now.
After the film, Stacey Hunt, executive director of Central Coast Bioneers, will be joined by Jenna Smith and Hunter Francis for a Q&A. Jenna Smith is the executive director of Central Coast Grown, the nonprofit responsible for the creation of the SLO City Farm. Hunter Francis is the director of the Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly. He will give an overview of Center programs, including a new ‘SLOcavore’ program he is developing in conjunction with Extended Education to provide educational opportunities to learn about exciting features of our regional food system.
The SLOIFF is proud to partner with Central Coast Bioneers for the third time. “Since our mantra is Movies Matter, the SLOIFF is always looking for opportunities to use the power of cinema to put the spotlight on important issues and organizations,” said Artistic Director, Wendy Eidson. “We have partnered with numerous organizations and look forward to continued collaborations with Central Coast Bioneers, as well as organizations like the Women’s Legacy Fund and the Growing Together Initiative during our 20th Anniversary festival, scheduled for March 5-9, 2014.”
Tickets for this event are on sale now at www.slofilmfest.org or by calling (805) 546-3456. Individual tickets are available online and at the door for $8 for students and SLOIFF Film Society members and $10 for general admission. Net proceeds will be split between the Central Coast Bioneers and the SLOIFF.