FREE film series to feature inspiring food films with
screenings from September through November

DENVER— Denver Botanic Gardens and Chipotle (Chi-POAT-lay) Mexican Grill today announced the 2012 Sustainable Food Film Series. Kicking off the series is the screening of “Truck Farm” on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. The series includes post-film panel discussions, and allows members of the community to embrace films relating to sustainable food practices, organic farming and community agriculture.
 
As part of its ongoing community efforts, Chipotle often supports local causes like Denver Botanic Gardens that share a dedication to sustainability. As the presenting sponsor, Chipotle will provide free, sustainable snacks before each film, as well as participate in Q&A sessions after the showings. Chipotle’s vision of Food With Integrity has led to a long track record of working to improve the nation’s food supply, that includes a commitment to source ingredients for more sustainable sources includes. Specifically this year, Chipotle plans to serve more than 120 million pounds of naturally raised meats, purchase 100 percent of its sour cream from pasture-raised dairy farms, purchase 10 million pounds of produce grown at local farms within 350 miles of the restaurants where they will be served, and have 71 percent of the cheese served at its restaurants produced with dairy from pasture-raised cows.

The Sustainable Food Film Series will continue with showings of:
“American Meat” on Thursday, Oct. 11
“Cafeteria Man” on Wednesday, Nov. 14
“Queen of the Sun – What are the Bees Telling Us?” on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Time: Movies begin at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: All films and discussions will take place inside Mitchell Hall at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Cost: Free ($10 suggested donation)

MOVIE SCHEDULE:

“Truck Farm,” Directed by Ian Cheney & Curt Ellis
Friday, Sept. 5
From Wicked and Delicate films and the streets of Brooklyn, a tiny new farm and a new short film about what happens when you teach an old Dodge new tricks. “Truck Farm” tells the story of a new generation of quirky urban farmers. Viewers are trucked across New York to see the city’s funkiest urban farms, and to find out if America’s largest city can learn to feed itself. Blending serious exposition with serious silliness, “Truck Farm” encourages viewers to ponder the future of urban farming, and to consider whether sustainability needs a dose of whimsy to be truly sustainable.
 
“American Meat,” Directed by Graham Meriwether
Thursday, Oct. 11
The acclaimed new documentary “American Meat” chronicles America’s grassroots revolution in sustainable meat production. The film explains our current industrial meat system, and shows the feedlots and confinement operations, not through hidden cameras but through the eyes of the farmers who live and work there. The film then shifts to the burgeoning sustainable, local-food movement made up of farmers, food advocates, chefs and everyday folks who could change everything about the way meat reaches the American table. The film frames the debate on whether sustainable meat production could ever meet the needs of consumers and showcases farmers who believe they can.

“Cafeteria Man,” Directed by Richard Chisolm
Wednesday, Nov. 14
“Cafeteria Man” is a story of positive movement that shows what's possible in our nation's schools. It’s about the aspiration of social activists and citizens coming together to change the way kids eat at school. It’s about overhauling a dysfunctional nutritional system. And, it’s the story of what it takes, and who it takes, to make solutions happen.
The feature documentary film chronicles an ambitious effort to ‘green’ the public school diet serving 83,000 students in Baltimore. Leading the charge to replace pre-plated, processed foods with locally-grown, freshly-prepared meals is Tony Geraci, food-service director for Baltimore Public Schools. A charismatic chef from New Orleans, Geraci's bold vision includes school vegetable gardens, student-designed meals, meatless Mondays and nutrition education in the classroom. His mission is as audacious as it is practical.

“Queen of the Sun – What are the Bees Telling us?” Directed by Taggart Siegel
Wednesday, Nov. 28
“Queen of the Sun-What Are the Bees Telling Us?” is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from director Taggart Siegel. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.