FOOD STAMPED (2010)

Directed by Shira & Yoav Potash

Film Synopsis

Food Stamped is an informative and humorous documentary following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Through their adventures they consult with members of U.S. Congress, food justice organizations, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America’s broken food system.

Active Cinema Participation

At MVFF 2010:

  • The film had its world premiere.
  • The film took part in the Festival’s Education program, with two large screenings for Bay Area high school students, where surveys were distributed to the teens to help ascertain how they felt the film informed or changed their views on topics covered in the film, including: gardening, cooking, healthy food vs. junk food, and food spending.
  • The film was presented in association with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services and the Marin Food Bank.
  • The Marin Food Bank sponsored a food drive in Mill Valley and San Rafael in conjunction with the film’s screenings.

Active Cinema Impact

The film has since been featured in many national and regional outreach partnerships, including:

  • selection in Whole Foods Market’s online film festival Do Something Reel
  • screenings coordinated with food banks, hospitals, houses of worship, farmer’s markets, libraries, and universities nationwide
  • national screening campaigns organized by Food and Water Watch, the Fighting Poverty with Faith initiative, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Action Day campaign
  • The film was also featured on CNN Money.

From the Filmmakers

“The Active Cinema program actively engaged one of our core audiences (teens) by prompting them to consider food and nutrition issues such as access to healthy affordable food, which they may have taken for granted prior to the screenings. Audiences responded with an interest in paying closer attention to their food spending, nutrition access, and related issues.”

How to See the Film

The Food Stamped DVD is available for purchase on their website, www.FoodStamped.com and on Netflix.

The film is also available for streaming on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video

The film has also been broadcast on Pivot, Participant Media’s national cable network.

How to Stay Active

Visit the film’s website at www.FoodStamped.com

Visit Food and Water Watch for more ideas on how to stay engaged, and to read up on the latest developments in food and agricultural policy.