Food isn’t just about nurturing our bodies; it’s about connecting with our planet, our family and friends, traditions, and the future we want to create. When we talk about sustainability in the kitchen, it’s usually about what happens inside our homes: reducing waste, composting, and choosing better ingredients. But sustainability goes beyond what’s in your fridge or pantry. It’s about how food gets to your plate, the people growing and harvesting it, and the impact our choices have on the planet.
Curious to go beyond the fridge? We’ve selected some films that will open your eyes to the power and the harm our food choices have on the planet. From regenerative farming to food waste solutions, these stories show how we can do better without sacrificing taste, convenience, or joy.
Ready? Grab some snacks, settle in, and let’s stir up some food for thought!
Kiss the Ground
Date Released: 2020
Directed By: Josh Tickell, Rebecca Harrell Tickell
Narrated by Woody Harrelson, “Kiss the Ground” reveals the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture to heal our planet and how adopting innovative farming methods can help stabilize our climate, rejuvenate our water cycles, and support abundant life.
Common Ground
Date Released: 2020
Directed By: Kurt Langbein
The sequel to “Kiss the Ground”, it unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film exposes the injustices behind our current farming system and celebrates innovative models of agriculture that could balance the climate and save our health.
Life in Syntropy
Date Released: 2016
Directed By: Felipe Pasini and Dayana Andrade
This short film, made specially for the COP21 in Paris, combines some of the most remarkable experiences in Ernst Götsch’s Syntropic Agriculture, teaching us how to integrate agriculture with the natural environment to produce food sustainably.
Dive! The Film
Date Released: 2010
Directed By: Jeremy Seifert
In “Dive! The Film,” you’ll join Jeremy Seifert and his friends on an eye-opening adventure into the dumpsters of LA’s supermarkets. Their journey reveals the staggering amount of wasted food and the community of people who reclaim it, challenging you to think about your food waste.
Food, Inc.
Date Released: 2008
Directed By: Robert Kenner
Short Summary: “Food, Inc.” will expose you to the uncomfortable truths about how your food is produced. By revealing the hidden realities of America’s food industry, this documentary will challenge you to reconsider your eating habits and their impacts on the environment and society.
Check out also Food, Inc. 2, released in 2023.
Eating Our Way to Extinction
Date Released: 2021
Directed By: Otto Brockway and Ludo Brockway
Narrated by Kate Winslet, “Eating Our Way to Extinction” will take you on a journey through the urgent environmental crises linked to unsustainable meat production. It’s a beautifully shot reminder of the urgent need for change in the global food industry, from overfishing to factory farming and how we feed ourselves.
Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future
Date Released: 2018
Directed By: Jordan Osmond and Antoinette Wilson
“Living the Change” will introduce you to individuals who are transforming their lives and communities towards sustainability. From growing food to generating clean energy, this documentary will inspire you with practical examples of how you can live a more sustainable and regenerative life.
A Place at the Table
Date Released: 2012
Directed By: Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush
In “A Place at the Table,” you’ll witness the harsh reality of hunger in the United States of America through the stories of three people grappling with food insecurity. This documentary explores how deeply food access is linked to societal issues and will challenge you to think about the changes needed in how food is distributed and accessed.
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