There’s something very quotidian about eating an apple. In fact I’m doing it right now, at this very moment. Before I took it to the sink to give it a quick wash, I peeled off the tiny sticker on it. Chile, it read. Having spent 6 months living in Chile, I know what a mish it can be to get there, and I’m talking by plane. The difficulty is only amplified by various other forms of transport, i.e. truck or ship. It’s an amazing thing to sit in Los Angeles and chow on an apple cultivated in the South American countryside.
But upon greater reflection, there’s something so wasteful about it. How much fossil fuel was needed to get that single apple into my hands? It probably wouldn’t be too difficult to guesstimate, but I don’t have the patience for that. The bottom line is the apple is a microcosm of food production in general – wasteful, somewhat unnatural, and consumer driven with little regard for the broader impact on the environment. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m as guilty as any. But is there a better way?
The folks at Patagonia Provisions certainly think so. An offshoot of the outdoor apparel giant, Patagonia Provisions has been in the business of sustainably produced food since 2013. Apparently they are also in the business of supporting film projects, too.
Unbroken Ground is the most recent directorial effort of surfer Chris Malloy, presented by Patagonia Provisions. It’s an attempt not only to highlight some of the great chasms in modern food production, but to offer a potential solution: in this case following in the footsteps of Patagonia Provisions’ example.
I have yet to see the film, but if it’s any bit as comprehensive as the trailer makes it seem, it serves the purpose of initiating a much-needed conversation about global food production.
Unbroken Ground is currently in the midst of a national tour. Check here to see if a premier is coming to a town near you!
