Austin Eats Presents: A Food and Film Showcase

Join us for Delicious Food, Films, Fun and Freebies
Friday, Oct. 7, 6 to 8:30 p.m. CDT

Enjoy two acclaimed short films, each sharing rich food stories from Chicago’s west and south sides. Plus—this community-building event will feature discussion & activities celebrating food justice, food access, healthy food, nutritious cooking tips, & more. Come early to join the raffle! Invite friends of all ages!

For those attending in person, samples of sweet potato cornbread, vegetarian greens, vegan quesadillas, vegan spring rolls, and rice and bean poppers will be provided by Vegan World Cafe and Beyond Hunger, and available beginning at 6 p.m. along with cooking demonstrations. Films will begin at 7 p.m. followed by a panel discussion. Panelists will dive into crucial topics of food security on the West Side of Chicago, with ideas and solutions relevant to communities far beyond Chicago:

  • Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., Black Panther Party Cubs (appears in “Feed ‘Em All”)

  • Bri Kellogg, Beyond Hunger

  • Lynette Kelly-Bell, A House in Austin (appears in “Feed ‘Em All”)

  • Neveah H., a youth representative from Austin Harvest

  • Anthony Clark of Suburban Unity Alliance will facilitate (appears in “Feed ‘Em All”)

    Plus both film directors will make appearances:

  • Anna Lee Ackerman, As We Are Planted

  • Helen Quinn-Pasin, Feed ‘Em All (pre-recorded greeting)

As part of Austin Eats' efforts to bring healthy food resources and lively discussion around local food access to the Austin community, the in-person event is intended for those who live, work, play, or worship in Austin. The virtual version of this event is open to anyone.

Virtual Online

(starts 6:45 p.m.)

In Person at By the Hand Club for Kids, 415 N. Laramie

(starts 6:00 p.m. with food tastings)

Both films below will screen in person and virtually.

FEED 'EM ALL (2021) by Helen Quinn Pasin (27 min)

FILM DESCRIPTION: Helen interviews a variety of leaders on Chicago's Greater West Side about food insecurity, food deserts, and ways to solve the problems of food injustice and inequity. She opens and closes her film with the building and opening of an outdoor community fridge at Fred Hampton's boyhood home in Maywood, Illinois, with speakers Fred Hampton, Jr., and community activist Anthony Clark. Helen also talks with representatives of Austin Harvest Freshmarket, the owners of a vegan restaurant, and more about constructive solutions.

AS WE ARE PLANTED (2020) by Anna Lee Ackermann (7 min)

FILM DESCRIPTION: Anna Lee shows how people are gaining access to healthy food and better lives via St. James Food Pantry on Chicago’s South Side. This is demonstrated through Cathy Moore, who tells her personal story as a struggling client, then an employee, and finally food pantry coordinator. Sean Ruane and Lawrence Riley, two members of the Just Roots team featured in the film, work to provide fresh, local produce to the pantry and a new community garden to improve health outcomes in a food desert. “We are feeding hearts and minds as well,” Sean concludes.