Earth Month is just around the corner and we are celebrating by hosting our very first company-wide film series! We’ll be featuring films that show the connection between the food we eat and its impact on the environment. Our food choices matter and each of us should feel empowered to make informed decisions.
Different cities are doing things a bit differently, so to find info on a film series near you, check out Let’s Retake Our Plate Film Series.
Giveaway Alert: Starting next Thursday and continuing throughout Earth Month (that means April!), we’ll be featuring team member reviews of select films that are part of the film series. Readers, we’d love to hear what you have to say about these films too! Check back each Thursday in April to share your film review with us in the comments for a chance to win a $25 gift card. (Not on this post, though. The contest starts on April 1st!)
To whet your palate, here are a couple of encore film reviews posted by team members in the last few months. Both of these films are part of our film series.
Team Member Rachael Gruver wrote this in her full review of Food, Inc.:
FOOD, Inc. takes a peek into the supply chain of much of the food we eat and talks about the consequences of the way food is currently grown, raised and processed. Consequences like deadly new strains of E.coli, epidemic obesity, type II diabetes, pollution from pesticides and feedlots, and the effect this system has on people in the industry. Although this subject matter sounds both complicated and mind-numbing, FOOD, Inc. presents the information in an engaging and interesting way.
Watch the trailer:
Team Member and seafood quality standards coordinator Carrie Brownstein had this to say in her full review of The End of the Line.
The film begins with beautiful footage of marine life and quickly (and graphically) moves toward its key message: The oceans are overfished and fish populations are in trouble. Some of the most well-known and well-respected marine scientists are interviewed in the film to confirm these bleak trends. I appreciate the filmmaker’s intention to tell this important story about the oceans. Our oceans are under incredible pressure and overfishing is a HUGE problem.
Don’t forget to check out one of our film series near you at Let’s Retake Our Plate Film Series.
Join us throughout April for review from our esteemed Team Member film reviewers who will be giving you their thoughts on films in our series in the coming weeks:
Ashley Gibbons is the Marketing Supervisor at our Arroyo store in Pasadena and loves eating food other people have cooked at home. When left to her own devices however, a monstrous salad and Murphy’s Stout usually hit the spot.
David Lannon is the President of the Northern California Region of Whole Foods Market. He is a film buff and can help you win your Oscar Pool.
Lauren Craig is the Associate Marketing Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain region. A chef at heart, she loves to read about food, eat from her garden and experiment with new and exciting flavors.
Robin Rogosin is SoPac’s regional Supplement and Body Care Buyer. For over 30 years, she has been an advocate for eating more green vegetables.





March 31st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
We have already seen several of these films, very convincing and scary!
March 31st, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Would love to see some of these films in Southern NJ. Our green team, Sustainanable Mullica (www.sustainablemullica.blogspot.com) would love to host some!
March 31st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I requested the Food, INC DVD from my local library and when it comes in i’m having my whole family sit down and watch it!!
March 31st, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Food Inc was disturbing and enlightening at the same time. The challenge in today’s economic environment it to be able to eat ethically.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I am Italian and i know what means real food.
Fast food are not restaurants and their products are not food.
Hormones and pesticide or GMO are not welcome in my plate…
I sacrifice in other things not food!
March 31st, 2010 at 6:11 pm
How about a film night at Whole Foods in Jacksonville FL (and elsewhere)? I’m sure I’m not the only one who would appreciate a second opportunity to see some of these films, especially with like minded people.
Thanks…
KF
March 31st, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I saw Food Inc. It’s hard to eat well especially if you are low-income.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:26 pm
This is very timely for everyone.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I thought I knew a lot about the food industry but “Food Inc” was both eye opening and disturbing. A highly recommended movie for anyone.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I watched Food Inc. with my family in Dec. ’09, and now EVERYONE in my family agrees that we need to be aware of what we are putting in our mouths & my kids now understand why I have converted our family to organic & have banned hydrogenated everything & gmo everything.
They have become spokespersons to their friends at school now to help get other kids aware of what exactly they are eating and how it is all processed. Great film!!
March 31st, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I think this film would be more appealing to those who aren’t very open to the organic/vegan/vegetarian life because it look more like a movie they would see in theaters (music, not-so-documentary). I can’t wait to see it. I think the reason why people aren’t so open to trying more organic products is because we ARE in a recession and the organic products being more expensive than non-organic makes it more conveinent for those people to stick to what they know. But hopefully watching this film will makes a difference. My hopes are high.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:52 pm
seen it b 4
March 31st, 2010 at 9:09 pm
At the end of “Food Inc” it was recommended that we eat ORGANIC as much as possible. I work towards greater selection in ORGANIC foods by my own purchase power.
March 31st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Support local farmers and buy when in season.
March 31st, 2010 at 10:58 pm
This is an eye-opener.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I’m going to look for this film for sure!
March 31st, 2010 at 11:41 pm
It’s disturbing to know how powerful and insidious the large food producers are. But it is a bit empowering to know that with every food purchase we make we are casting a vote that sends a message to major grocers.
My 19 year old son and his girlfriend watched it, they were amazed at what is really happening with our food industry. Hopefully the message in this movie will stay with them so they will also become responsible consumers.
April 1st, 2010 at 5:42 am
“Food, Inc.” has changed my life. I tell everyone to watch it over and over again. It is an amazing film and a real lesson for all of us. Change isn’t easy but we have the power with the dollars we spend to make the changes for the better. Watch this fim!!!
April 1st, 2010 at 6:37 am
just recently saw the film Food,Inc. and it certainly makes you
think twice about where chickens. cows and hogs are raised and how they are processed….
April 1st, 2010 at 7:33 am
I first saw Soylent Green 25 years ago and even now it gives me nightmares – as seemingly far-fetched as its theme( we are relegated to food after death)and planned human food processing (literally) the condition city scapes and countryside can already be seen in many parts of our current world. The willingness of the urban populous to seek food without any concern for its source – well its timely to say the least!
April 1st, 2010 at 7:43 am
I rented Food Inc from the library and watched it with my family. After seeing it, I am more commited than ever to buying what I can from Whole Foods. Very enlightening and disturbing.
April 1st, 2010 at 8:13 am
There was no listings for the Atlanta metro area. How can I watch the movies? Are any on DVD?
April 1st, 2010 at 8:39 am
These films are very important for all to see. It just shows you how our society needs to change. After having an ill parent with cancer for 2 years, I am very conscious of diet and health issues.
April 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
Unfortunately, none of our Georgia stores seem to be taking part in the film fest. However, all of the films except Fresh and What’s On Your Plate? seem to be available on DVD and most are rentable from Netflix.
April 1st, 2010 at 10:00 am
Organic Food is more healthy for everyone…but a large number of the food producers are in it for profits (faster and cheaper)… using unhealthy methods of growing fresh foods and animal products… this needs to change for the health of all people…
April 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
i’m going to my town library to chack on silent running. i heard it was good
April 1st, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I like the idea of having a movie night at Whole Foods — or at Wild Oats — in Santa Fe. A great idea to get community together, and share in knowledge for healthier lifestyles.
April 1st, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Eyeopening
April 1st, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I plan on seeing the movie in June. I think people should know what their eating & being better informed. Hopefully, the movie will do great & will get more out there!
Thanks, Whole Foods for making a difference,
Lori
April 1st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Food ,Inc, was actually very frighting.
April 2nd, 2010 at 6:06 am
Hello,
One thing I know is that as consumers we need better choices. I am vegetarian and have been for approximately twenty years, so I am careful of what I eat. However, all foods, even vegetarian foods are subject to contamination, and just downright dishonest maneuvers from food companies. So, yes, our rights as consumers for better foods needs to be accepted and acknowledged!
Make better foods, or we as consumers will find a better way to feed ourselves!
The film is right on!!!
Thank you,
Khadijah Hawkins
April 2nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
My vegan daughters have brought to my attention many of the issues raised in
these provocative films. If we want to seriously address the health issues
in this country, often attributed to a diet loaded in salt, sugar, and fat, we must
become aware of and refrain from purchasing what is easy, quick, and generally
bad for us.
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
This short is AWESOME, the more we just keep on getting the message out there, the more we touch with information. I have just been changed by all the information, but especially in “Food,Inc.” when they are talking to a person working on a cow (it’s horrible) and there’s a hole in the side of cow, as if nothing is hurting that poor animal. I know that we are turning things around for the better, slowly but surely. Thank you Whole Foods for your generosity, and providing excellent education for all; because knowledge is power! Love you Whole Foods! c xo
April 3rd, 2010 at 8:14 am
It is very interesting the way the movie started as it wants you to believe everything is okay with our food industry and then you get the real deal. Today’s food is based on greed, immediate gratification and not on true healthy survival. this movie seems like it will portray the truth about what really goes on and how our animals are actually slaughtered.
We need to know the truth in order to change the world and let them know we won’t stand for it.
April 4th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Great movie I suspect that at least one half of all cancers are due to chemicals in our food and water supply. We really need to force our government to clean up this mess. But I suspect that the food industry owns congress. We need to change the laws and get rid of lobbyists. This can only be done with people power, just as we did with health care.
April 4th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
This documentary reminds me of “sweat, tears and chicken” from green channel. Not only animals were suffering, laborers’ conditions were harsh and subhuman. Respect the earth and eat locally grown (or home-grown food is vital to our value and sustainability. Thanks for the film!
April 6th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Food Inc. was an incredible eye opener and I am thrilled to see Fresh The Movie, as well…I’m looking forward to seeing the film here in Manhattan and attending the Food on Film events!
April 6th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
6 billion people and going to 12 billion.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
It would be nice if some of these movies were in St. Louis. I have seen No Impact Man and thought it was interesting. My boys (11 and 16) got a kick out of having the whole movie theater to ourselves, and I think they even enjoyed the movie.
April 11th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I’ve seen many films and read many books about how the quality of our food is declining. More and more people are speaking up demanding changes to the food we eat. Let’s keep spreading the message about increasing food standards!