Deborah Koons and The Future of Food

From KeepMeCurrent.com:

CAPE ELIZABETH (July 26, 2005): GE Free Maine to Host Film Showing and Panel Discussions Across the State.
GE Free Maine will be hosting director Deborah Koons Garcia, creator and director of the acclaimed film The Future of Food in Maine the first week of August with a stop in Cape Elizabeth, at Turkey Hill Community Farm on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Each screening will be followed by a discussion with director Deborah Koons Garcia and various speakers on the dangers posed by genetic engineering. The Bar Harbor event will feature a GE-Free Benefit Dinner at Havana's and post screening reception at Rupununi's. For locations and guest speakers at the various events see end of this release.
The Future of Food offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply. A spotlight was shown on this issue this Spring when Brooklin town residents, inspired and aided by GE Free Maine, passed the first town meeting resolution in Maine against the growth of these crops in their communities. This event has inspired other towns to work on this issue in their own towns. Garcia and other experts on the threats posed by genetic engineering will be available following the showing to answer questions and lead a discussion.

According to a Film review in the March 2005 issue of Nature Biotechnology Magazine, "The Future of Food provides an excellent overview of the key questions raised by consumers as they become aware of GM foods... [The film] draws questions to critical attention about food production that need more public debate."

Deborah Koons Garcia, widow of Jerry Garcia, received a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. Her educational series All About Babies, narrated by Jane Alexander, won a Cine Golden Eagle and a Gold Medal from the John Muir Medical Film Festival, among other awards. Her feature film, PocoLoco, "finds its groove in gentle romantic fantasy" according to Variety, and won awards at the Philadelphia, Rivertown and Orlando Film Festivals. She was the instigator and chief creative consultant for Grateful Dawg, a documentary about the musical friendship between her husband Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. Grateful Dawg premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and went on to a lively run on the festival circuit, in theaters, and on television.

GE Free Maine is a statewide coalition built around the belief that GE free agriculture sustains us all while genetic engineering only sustains corporate control of the seeds of life and puts at risk the family farms that support Maine's economy. GE Free Maine seeks to create GE Free Zones across Maine through a combination of voluntary farmer pledges and town resolutions, build support for efforts to protect all farmers from the liability issues resulting from genetic contamination, and to support alternatives to the corporate control of our food supply.
According to Newstarget.com, "If you eat food, you need to see The Future of Food..."

EVENT LOCATION AND SCREENING TIMESAugust 5th: Turkey Hill Community Farm; Cape Elizabeth; @ 6:30 pm (http://www.gefreemaine.org/capeelizabeth.html)

A percentage of the proceeds from each event will benefit GE Free Maine.
NOTE: Deborah Koons Garcia will speak at all events. John Ellis & Stacy Brenner will speak at the Cape Elizabeth event.

ABOUT THE FILMThe Future of Food offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply. A spotlight was shown on the this issue this Spring when Brooklin town residents, inspired and aided by GE Free Maine, passed the first town meeting resolution in Maine against the planting of these crops in their communities. This event has inspired people around the state to work on this issue in their own towns. Garcia and other experts on the threats posed by genetic engineering will be available following the showing to answer questions and lead a discussion.
According to a Film review in the March 2005 issue of Nature Biotechnology Magazine, "The Future of Food provides an excellent overview of the key questions raised by consumers as they become aware of GM foods... [The film] draws questions to critical attention about food production that need more public debate."

According to Newstarget.com, "If you eat food, you need to see The Future of Food..."

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR AND PANELISTS
Deborah Koons Garcia, widow of Jerry Garcia, received a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. Her educational series All About Babies, narrated by Jane Alexander, won a Cine Golden Eagle and a Gold Medal from the John Muir Medical Film Festival, among other awards. Her feature film, Poco Loco, "finds its groove in gentle romantic fantasy" according to Variety, and won awards at the Philadelphia, Rivertown and Orlando Film Festivals. She was the instigator and chief creative consultant for Grateful Dawg, a documentary about the musical friendship between her husband Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. Grateful Dawg premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and went on to a lively run on the festival circuit, in theaters, and on television. Garcia will be speaking at every event.
John Bliss and his partner Stacy Brenner operate the 25-acre Turkey Hill Community farm, located at 122 Old Ocean House Road, in Cape Elizabeth. John has his roots in the arts, community organizing, and food systems. He has been working in agriculture for the past five years, managing C.S.A. programs and growing vegetables. Subsistence farming has been a revelation to him, combining mental and physical work which rewards with beauty, understanding, and a deliciousness. His love of food has taken him from wild foods gathering, to gleaning, to gardening, and to subsistence farming. Bliss will be speaking on Cape Elizabeth panel.

Stacy Brenner has wanted to farm since she was very young, and has an undergraduate degree in agriculture. Her other passion is midwifery care. She loves what each season brings to the kitchen, and what each friend brings to the table. She strives towards whole living and simplicity. Brenner will be speaking on Cape Elizabeth panel.
ABOUT GE FREE MAINEGE Free Maine is a statewide coalition built around the belief that GE free agriculture sustains us all while genetic engineering only sustains corporate control of the seeds of life and puts at risk the family farms that support Maine's economy. GE Free Maine seeks to create GE Free Zones across Maine through a combination of voluntary farmer pledges and town resolutions, build support for efforts to protect all farmers from the liability issues resulting from genetic contamination, and to support alternatives to the corporate control of our food supply.