Eye-Opening Film on Food Industry, “Fed Up,” to be Shown at Wilton Library

Every day there is a new “miracle diet” or “awesome exercise program” designed to burn calories or make someone healthy. However given the amount of sugar that is in the American diet provided by the food industry, the country will be facing an epidemic of unhealthy proportions. According to the producers of the documentary, Fed Up, “everything you have been told about food and exercise for the past 30 years is dead wrong. Fed Up is the film the food industry doesn’t want you to see – because it will change the way you eat forever.”

The film is from Katie Couric, Laurie David–the Oscar-winning producer of An Inconvenient Truth–and director Stephanie Soechtig.

A screening of the film with an informative panel discussion will take place at Wilton Library on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.. The panelists include Michel Nischan, chef and founder of Wholesome Wave, and Ceci Maher, from Person-to-Person, moderated by Megan Smith-Harris, editor of Wilton Magazine and a documentary filmmaker.

Attendees are invited to a healthy food reception, catered by Tim LaBant Catering (The Schoolhouse at Cannondale).

The event is generously sponsored by The Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation.  The Finks–Wilton residents and founders of Millstone Farm–have been early supporters of the film, both through early funding and many conversations with producers Laurie David and Stephanie Soechtig as the concept of the film was being developed. According to a press release from the foundation, David notes, “Betsy and Jesse live and breathe the important lessons of FED UP and are champions for a healthy lifestyle.”

The intersecting missions of the foundation and the farm have built knowledge for the local community, as well as supported many social entrepreneurs. Millstone Farm was established in 2006 using sustainable agricultural practices. Betsy Fink and her team sold local produce and livestock to Nischan, one of Fairfield County’s most renowned chefs and local foods proponents as co-owner of The Dressing Room in Westport and founder of Wholesome Wave Foundation. Through their interactions, Fink and Nischan discovered their common vision for a healthy, equitable and sustainable food system. Nischan formed the Wholesome Wave Foundation and began operations with seed funding from the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.

Betsy, a founding Board member, notes, “We were thrilled that Michel was available to join the panel discussion after the Dec. 11 screening of the film here in Wilton. He has been working on the ground nationally for years now and brings both personal and professional viewpoints and knowledge.”

Locally, the Finks have funded Person-to-Person, bringing leader Ceci Maher into the network of regional food systems NGOs working on food security and food recovery. Highlighting the importance of nutrition in the food recovery movement, Person-to-Person has partnered with a local, start-up NGO, Community Plates. The Foundation funds and works closely with Community Plates, and the Finks thought the organizations complemented each other well. Community Plates efficiently recovers fresh produce from area farms and markets, which a volunteer force then brings to the Person-to-Person pantry in South Norwalk.

Jesse highlights this integrated approach and the couples’ passion for building community and networks. “I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see these social entrepreneurs in our area come together to speak on this critical issue. I know Katie and Laurie would be so pleased. And all of this will happen at the Wilton Library, where we seed funded the Environmental Series many years ago! The Library continues to provide important programming to the community.”

There is no charge; advanced registration is encouraged. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Rd.. For information, directions and to register for the program, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203.762.3950, ext. 213.

CORRECTION:  The press materials provided to GMW incorrectly identified the caterer of the event. The article has been edited to reflect the correct caterer.