Like many, I’m a big fan of streaming services, especially for documentaries. There’s something uniquely satisfying about feeling informed and educated while relaxing on the couch. While personal experiences like tasting a truly fresh tomato initially shifted my views on food, Food Documentaries have profoundly deepened and reshaped my understanding. These films haven’t just been informative; they’ve actively changed my eating habits and overall food philosophy. Here are six food documentaries that significantly altered my perspective on food:
1. Food, Inc.
Food, Inc. was my gateway into the world of food documentaries. It’s an absolute eye-opener that meticulously dissects the industrialization of our food system. It unflinchingly exposes factory farming, GMOs, the heavy use of pesticides and chemicals in food production, the routine administration of antibiotics to animals, and the governmental policies that underpin it all. The film instilled a real fear in me – fear of E. Coli and genuine concern for public health. After watching Food, Inc., I made a firm decision to prioritize locally sourced poultry. I haven’t purchased poultry from large-scale industrial brands since.
2. Dive!
A recommendation from my brother led me to Dive!, a short yet incredibly impactful documentary. The film follows Jeremy Seifert and his friends as they explore the dumpsters behind popular grocery stores, searching for discarded food. The sheer volume of perfectly edible, unexpired food they uncover, simply thrown away due to company policies, is staggering. Jeremy’s finds include filet mignon, countless eggs, and pristine containers of strawberries. He uses this rescued food to feed his family and fill his freezers. Dive! revealed a shocking truth: America wastes half of the food it produces. This documentary motivated me to drastically reduce food waste in my own kitchen. Now, if food is nearing its expiration date, I make a conscious effort to cook it, eat it, or share it. I also regularly compost food scraps, contributing to a more sustainable cycle.
3. What’s On Your Plate?
What’s On Your Plate? offers a unique perspective through the eyes of two inquisitive 11-year-old girls from New York City, Sadie and Safiyah. Inspired by the incredible taste of a vine-ripened tomato experienced on vacation, they embark on a journey to understand the origins of their food.
Their exploration uncovers surprising facts, like the apples in their school lunches originating from Washington State, not nearby New York, which they find illogical. They also learn about the lengthy bureaucratic processes involved in essential school equipment upgrades, like waiting five years for a new stove. What’s On Your Plate? solidified my dedication to local eating and inspired me to actively seek out Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in my area, becoming an advocate for their importance in shortening the food chain. The film features Chef Bryant Terry, who cooks a delicious meal using produce from Sadie and Safiyah’s CSA, emphasizing the value of local food systems. This documentary is especially engaging to watch with children, as Sadie and Safiyah’s narration makes complex topics accessible and interesting for younger audiences.
4. Forks Over Knives
Forks Over Knives is perhaps the most transformative food documentary I’ve watched. Through compelling data and scientific evidence, it demonstrates the potential link between consuming meat and animal products (including dairy and eggs) and the development of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The film presents both long-term and short-term studies from various populations and cultures. One striking example is Nazi-occupied Norway, where meat rationing led to a near absence of meat and food animals. Remarkably, disease rates plummeted during this period. However, once the war ended and meat consumption resumed, those same disease rates sharply increased. Another powerful example is the traditional Japanese diet, which is historically low in meat, primarily used for flavoring. Japan exhibits significantly lower rates of breast and prostate cancer compared to meat-heavy diets. Again, the correlation suggests a link between reduced meat consumption and lower disease incidence.
Since watching Forks Over Knives, I’ve drastically reduced my red meat intake, opting for vegetarian meals several times a week. I’ve also completely eliminated high fructose corn syrup from my diet, recognizing its pervasive presence in processed foods and its connection to the government-subsidized corn industry. While I’m still contemplating a life without eggs and dairy – as cheese remains a beloved indulgence – I’ve significantly minimized meat in my diet. I’ve embraced a “fork over knife” philosophy, prioritizing whole, plant-based foods in hopes of preventing future health issues.
5. Fresh
Fresh features Michael Pollan, a prominent voice in food discussions, who highlights the detrimental effects of monoculture farming prevalent in America. Monoculture, the practice of growing only one crop species on vast farmlands, such as cattle-only farms, chicken-only farms, or cornfields stretching across the Midwest, is shown to be inherently unsustainable and disease-prone, as it deviates from nature’s biodiversity. In contrast, diversified, medium-sized organic farms, like Joel Salatin’s Polyface Farm, demonstrate significantly higher productivity per acre. Fresh also reveals that a mere three corporations control a significant portion of America’s food supply, a staggering 70% of corn produced in the US is used for cattle feed, and the nutritional content of our produce has declined by 40% since 1950. Despite these concerning facts, Fresh offers a message of hope. The film showcases inspiring individuals like Will Allen of Growing Power, who champions food accessibility for everyone. Allen has established a thriving three-acre vertical farm in urban Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and teaches others to replicate this model, regardless of location.
Fresh provides a positive counterpoint to the often-grim realities of our food system. The film concludes with stories of individuals making tangible changes – starting home gardens, frequenting farmers’ markets, and consciously choosing local and sustainable food sources. Inspired by Fresh and Will Allen’s vision, I’ve even started my own vertical tomato garden, taking a step towards greater food self-sufficiency.
6. Food Fight
Many food documentaries cover similar ground, yet each offers unique insights and takeaways. Food Fight‘s central message revolves around the historical and political shifts that have shaped our current food landscape. The film traces back to 1971 when Earl Butz became Secretary of Agriculture under President Nixon. Butz’s policies prioritized large-scale industrial farms focused on producing cheap food in massive quantities, often at the expense of smaller, local farms. This shift led to a food system capable of producing an astounding 16,000 calories per person daily, predominantly from unsustainable sources like corn and corn-derived products. The documentary highlights the alarming consequence: soil depletion at a rate faster than natural replenishment. Food Fight connects these historical policy changes to present-day health crises, projecting that future generations may face shorter lifespans than their parents due to obesity and food-related illnesses. This documentary ignited a sense of social activism in me, prompting a deeper examination of the political dimensions of food. It reinforced my commitment to supporting local food systems as a form of positive change.
Beyond its food-related insights, Food Fight also sparked a completely unrelated admiration for David Lance Goines’ impressive mustache!
These six documentaries have profoundly influenced my food perspective, and I highly recommend them. Next time you’re looking for something engaging and thought-provoking to watch, consider skipping another episode of predictable reality TV and explore one of these insightful food documentaries. If you don’t already have access, consider subscribing to a streaming service – it’s a fantastic resource for discovering documentaries and expanding your knowledge.
