Stonyfield Farm Launches Sustainability Film Series in Ann Arbor
Five Documentary Films Premiering at The Michigan Theater Wednesdays starting August 25. Tickets on sale online.
Ann Arbor, MI (August 17, 2010) - If the grocery checkout is a voting booth to choose whether to support local or global, organic or conventional products, whole or processed foods, then selecting a film can be viewed very much the same way. Choose a big, costly Hollywood production or consider one of the premiere films in Stonyfield’s Sustainability Film Series and discover what businesses, farmers, religious organizations, and average “Joes” are doing to make a difference in the fight to save our environment.
Five films, at only $6 a ticket ($5 for members of the Michigan Theater and Ann Arbor Film Festival, students, and senior citizens) with all proceeds benefiting Food Gatherers, will be featured at Ann Arbor's historic center for fine film, The Michigan Theater, Wednesdays starting on August 25. The lineup includes the Ann Arbor theatrical premieres of The Real Dirt on Farmer John, Living Downstream, Renewal, Carbon Nation, and Ingredients. Each film will feature a guest speaker as part of the educational event. Tickets are on sale online at The Michigan Theater starting August 16. The Sustainability Film Series is also supported by the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Zingerman’s, and People’s Food Co-op.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John, Wednesday, August 25 @ 7:00 p.m., tells the epic tale of a maverick Midwestern farmer. An outcast in his community, Farmer John melds the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression. This powerful story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection of farming in America. Winner of 31 awards at film festivals, including the Slamdance audience award. Richard Andres of Tantré Farm, one of the Ann Arbor area's biggest organic farms, will be joined by Annie Elder and Paul Bantle of Community Farm, the Ann Arbor area’s original CSA, for a discussion following the film.
Living Downstream, Wednesday, September 1 @ 7:00 p.m., is an eloquent feature-length documentary that charts the life and work of biologist, author and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, breaking the silence. Living Downstream Director Chanda Chevannes will be on hand for a discussion of the film.
Renewal, Wednesday, September 8 @ 7:00 p.m., is the first feature-length documentary film to capture the vitality and diversity of today's religious environmental activists. Renewal Director Marty Ostrow will be the guest speaker.
Carbon Nation, Wednesday, September 15 @ 7:00 p.m., is a documentary film about climate change solutions. Even if viewers doubt the severity of the impact of climate change or just don’t buy it at all, Carbon Nation is a compelling and relevant film that illustrates how solutions to climate change also address other social, economic and national security issues. Carbon Nation Director and Producer Peter Byck will discuss the film and answer questions following the screening.
Ingredients, Wednesday, September 22 @ 7:00 p.m., focuses on the farmers and chefs who are creating a truly sustainable food system, whose collaborative work has resulted in great-tasting food and an explosion of consumer awareness about the benefits of eating local. Jeff McCabe of SELMA Café and the Homegrown Festival, as well as Molly Notarianni, Manager of the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, will be the guest speakers.
Tickets are available through the Michigan Theater, as well as online at www.ticketweb.com. For more information on the Stonyfield Sustainability Film Series, as well as other Stonyfield initiatives happening in Ann Arbor, please visit Stonyfield.com/annarbor.
Stonyfield, the New Hampshire-based organic yogurt maker, has been pioneering environmentally responsible business practices since 1983. Their milk purchases support over 1,300 organic dairy farmers, many of which are located in Vermont. Stonyfield’s award-winning program to minimize solid waste has prevented over 20 million pounds of materials from going to landfills or incinerators; and has meant the recycling of over 18.5 million pounds of materials, including paper, plastics, cardboard, food and metals. Through improved efficiency, the company has saved over $1.7 million and 46 million kWh—enough energy to power 4,500 homes for a year—and prevented over 14,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. It has reduced facility energy use and the associated CO2 emissions per pound of product by one third.
About Stonyfield Farm
Stonyfield Farm, celebrating its 27th year, is the world’s leading organic yogurt company. Its all natural and certified organic yogurt, smoothies, milk, cultured soy, frozen yogurt and ice cream are distributed nationally. The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. Its use of organic ingredients helps keep over 180,000 farm acres free of toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers known to contaminate soil, drinking water and food. To help reduce climate change, Stonyfield offsets all of the CO2 emissions generated from its facility energy use. The company also started a nonprofit called Climate Counts (climatecounts.org), which shows people how they can help fight climate change by the way they shop and invest. Stonyfield also donates 10% of its profits to efforts that help protect and restore the Earth. For more information about Stonyfield Farm, its products and initiatives, visit www.stonyfield.com.
Media Contacts:
Donald Harrison, Executive Director
Ann Arbor Film Festival
pr@aafilmfest.org | 734-995-5356
Sarah Badger, Communications Manager
Stonyfield Farm | www.Stonyfield.com
sbadger@stonyfield.com | 603.437.4040 x 2292
