Event

Cafeteria Man: Fighting for Healthier School Food

"Cafeteria Man" is proof that it takes a collective effort to change a dysfunctional school food program from parents, teachers, administrators, to farmers, chefs and the students themselves.

This documentary chronicles an ambitious effort to rid public schools of processed food, first in Baltimore, and then later in Memphis.

Meet Tony Geraci, then food-service director for Baltimore city public schools. A charismatic chef from New Orleans, Geraci leads the charge to replace pre-plated, processed foods with locally-grown, freshly-prepared meals. His vision includes school vegetable gardens, student-designed meals, and nutrition education in the classroom.

Watch empowered students get involved with planting and harvesting their own vegetables at Baltimore school system's 33-acre teaching farm, now a national model. See high school seniors develop practical job skills through a new citywide culinary vocational training program.

Directed by Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Richard Chisolm with appearances by Michael Pollan, Michelle Obama, Will Allen, and Ann Cooper.

Documentary screening will be followed by an all-star panel discussion with: Richard Chisolm, award-winning filmmaker, director of Cafeteria Man; Bill Telepan, Snail of Approval Restaurateur and Executive Chef Wellness in the Schools (WITS); Stephen O'Brien, Director of Food and Menu Management at SchoolFood, NYC Department of Education; Kathy Lawrence, Director of Strategic Development, SchoolFoodFOCUS