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Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story cover image

Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story 2015

Highly Recommended

Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Jenny Rustemeyer
Directed by Grant Baldwin
DVD, color, 50 min. and 73 min. versions



Middle School - General Adult
Agriculture, Business, Branding, Economics, Ecological Living, Environmentalism, Farming, Food, Green Living, Horticulture, Green Movement, Social Movements, Social Sciences, Sociology, Sustainability, Sustainable Living

Date Entered: 02/18/2016

Reviewed by Andrew Koval, MSLS

Just Eat It discusses the egregious amount of food waste happening in developed countries. The film consists of a couple endeavoring to only consume wasted food for a period of 6 months. Agricultural experts are integrated throughout to explicate the statistics and realities of first world food production.

A historical analysis is performed juxtaposing the current degree of food waste against WWII propaganda footage which advocates food conservation. The scope of the documentary is broad and deliberates on the evolution of society’s food portions, the legality of food waste and argues food waste as a problem of energy efficiency. Furthermore, concrete opportunities to reduce food waste are shown through undertakings like gleaning and food scrap recycling.

The film’s soundtrack lends credence as to how absurd food waste has become. Of particular note the soundtrack contains “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (1985) that is synched with footage of machinery vetting the suitability of bell peppers. A companion piece is Raising Shrimp: The Future of America's Seafood as this film also features the theme of resource waste in food production. School, public and college libraries will benefit by including Just Eat It in their collections, particularly for those populations concerned with the efficient application of resources.

Awards

  • Best Documentary, Best Documentary Director and Best Documentary Musical Score, Leo Awards
  • Audience Award from CPH: DOX.
  • Impact Award from Vancouver International Film Festival
  • Emerging Canadian Filmmaker & Top 20 Audience Choice from Hot Docs
  • People’s Choice Award from Calgary International Film Festival
  • Best Canadian Documentary and Grand Jury Prize from Edmonton International Film Festival
  • Best Canadian Feature from Planet in Focus
  • Best Environmental Film from Sedona International Film Festival