Project Update 

Rob Hagelstein, Co-producer
Franklin Community Co-op member
Greenfield, Massachusetts  

Our perilous economy has once again heightened interest in cooperatives. Activities not seen since the 1970s, and before that in the 1930s, are taking place throughout the country. The feature film Food For Change will play an important role in this national discussion on equitable economies. It will inspire the development and sustained success of many more co-ops. The pump is primed. Now is the time to tell our story!

 

During the past two years, we've raised 53 percent of our budget from 74 food co-ops and 10 organizations in 27 states. At this rate, it will take two more years to raise the funds needed to complete and distribute the film. However, the film can be released by June, 2012, during the UN's International Year of Cooperatives, if completion funds are raised by February 2012. This is an achievable goal that can happen with your help. Based on our test screenings, we are well on our way toward making an excellent documentary. Consider increasing your co-op's contribution or joining with the other co-ops to support this project.

 

Since our last newsletter, we've been shooting, editing, and fundraising. Here are some of the things we've accomplished:

 

* Shot ten hours of new material in Minneapolis-St. Paul focusing on food co-op stores, farms, a warehouse, and combined education efforts in a one of the nation's most concentrated area of co-op activity.

 

* Presented scenes and discussed the film at a Neighboring Food Co-op Association meeting, an organization made up of 20 Northeastern food co-ops. (see article below)

 

* Filmed follow-up interviews and footage with Bruce and Jenny Wooster of Picadilly Farm, the young farm family included in the film. 

 

* Shot the Monadnock Community Market's first annual members meeting as part of the section in the film on the wave of new food co-ops occurring across the country.  

 

* Gave the keynote address at the Linden Hills Co-op annual meeting. Producer/Director Steve Alves showed 30-minutes of excerpts from the rough cut to an audience of 250 co-op members. Their reactions to the film are included below.

 

* Edited the first half-hour of the film, including the introduction and historical sections.

 

* Interviewed film two editors; one who edits for Michael Moore, another who edits for Ken Burns. After watching the film's first half-hour, they are enthusiastic about working on the film. Our plan is to hire an additional editor to stay on target for the film's June completion. This will happen if completion funds are in hand by February, 2011.

 

Annual Meeting Huge Success

Allie Mentzer, Marketing Manager 

Linden Hills Co-op 

NFCA Members Meeting 

Erbin Crowell, Executive Director  

Neighboring Food Co-op Association 

 

2012 will be an immense opportunity for our food co-ops to tell our story. The United Nations' International Year of Co-ops is an unprecedented occasion for us to communicate our difference and present our vision for a healthy, just and sustainable food system, rooted in co-operation.

 

In September the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), a network of 30 existing and start-up food co-ops in New England, invited Steve Alves to present scenes from his upcoming documentary, Food For Change, and to discuss the scope of this ambitious project. It is clear that this film will be a powerful tool in helping us tell the story of co-operation in an entertaining and engaging manner. Food For Change combines our past-both our successes and set backs-with our present and vision for the future.

 

People are hungry for economic alternatives in our country. The interest in building vibrant local and regional food systems continues to grow. And in 2012, the United Nations will be casting a bright light on our co-ops as successful models for social development, employment generation and food security. In order to take advantage of this unique moment in history, we will need to be ready to tell our story in as many powerful ways as we can.

 

Food For Change is heading down the road to completion but is in need of more funds. Unless the remaining budget of $140,000 is raised, it will not be ready for 2012. This is a rare occasion for co-ops and we urgently ask you to seize the opportunity to bring this project to fruition in whatever ways that you can. It would indeed be a missed opportunity not to release Food For Change in 2012 IYC.

 

 

Quick Links 

website: Home Planet Pictures 

 email: Allie Mentzer 

 email: Erbin Crowell