The documentary Grown in Detroit, directed by Mascha and Manfred Poppenk, is an award winning documentary featuring urban organic farming efforts. Detroit was the home for mass producing automobiles, however, due to the decline of the auto industry one of the nation’s wealthiest cities has become one of the poorest. Nature in all its glory has taken over the empty lots and the city has started “greening” from within. Taking this opportunity into consideration the residents of the city have opted to use the land and its resources for their necessity.

The documentary is one hour in length and it follows students at the Ferguson Academy for Young Women, which is a high school for pregnant teens. They work in the school’s urban garden and learn how to grow nutritious food for their children. As one can imagine these teens aren’t able to cope in the beginning and they dislike farm work. However, as time goes by they see the fruits of their labor growing and then being sold for profit, which changes their attitudes completely. I think the insight into the lives of these teens can be an eye opener for the rest of us. We can learn from them valuable lessons about facing your struggles head on and coming out the victor. As well as, necessity being the mother of invention and how, when given resources, people will come together to reap the benefits.

Flatbush Food Film Forum presents GROWN IN DETROIT
sponsored by Sustainable Flatbush, Flatbush Food Co-op, and Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association

WHEN: Wednesday, May 26th at 7pm
WHERE: Prospect Park Temple Isaac, 1419 Dorchester Road (entrance on Marlborough)

Free popcorn provided by Flatbush Food Co-op! Kosher snacks available for purchase

Plant Swap! (photo by Keka Marzagão)

Get ready to do some sweet swappin’! On Saturday, April 24, Sustainable Flatbush and Flatbush Food Co-op will be hosting a free plant swap!

From noon to 3 p.m., no matter the weather, we’ll all swap together in front of Flatbush Food Co-op. Bring your plants and your favorite gardening tips, and get ready to do some sharing!

You don’t need to be a gardener to join the fun! If you don’t have any plants to swap, come and pick up some new plants — free! Never planted a garden before? Learn how to get started on one! Fear your green thumb is underdeveloped? Talk to gardeners and learn the art of planting!

Children and adults alike are welcome! So don’t forget — be there!

What: Free plant swap

When: Saturday, April 24, 12-3 p.m., rain or shine

Where: Flatbush Food Co-op @ 1415 Cortelyou Road (between Marlborough & Rugby Roads)

Sustainable Flatbush, Flatbush Food Co-op, and Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association present a special Earth Day film screening of NO IMPACT MAN.

This movie is all about taking a new look at the way we impact our environment. Colin Beavan sets out to experience life without any automated transportation, electricity, no more non-local food and overall to make as little impact as possible for one year. No problem right? That is, until his wife who has completely different ideals from that of Beavan and their daughter is brought into the fray. How will this family cope with the new way of living? How will they be tested and what will they find out along the way?

As for me, after doing a little bit of research what I found interesting was the fact that the family had to give up a lot for that one year. I haven’t seen the movie yet so I would like to see what kind of strain it put on their relationship. All the struggles they endured and how they overcame, as well as learning from them what I can do to make less of an impact on environmental degradation. Isn’t that interesting? Shouldn’t all of us give this a thought and come see what this family has accomplished?

COME SEE AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF!

Flatbush Food Film Forum presents a special Earth Day film screening of NO IMPACT MAN
sponsored by Sustainable Flatbush, Flatbush Food Co-op, and Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association

WHEN: Wednesday, April 21st at 7pm
WHERE: Prospect Park Temple Isaac, 1419 Dorchester Road (entrance on Marlborough)

Free popcorn provided by Flatbush Food Co-op! Kosher snacks available for purchase

We’re sponsoring this FREE event along with Flatbush Food Co-op, and Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association. (Big thanks to Prospect Park Temple Isaac for letting us use their space!!)

FRESH is more than just a movie, it’s a gateway to action. Join us this Wednesday and feel inspired by the film’s message and stunning delivery.

FRESH (a film by Ana Sofia Joanes) celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.  Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity.  Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Will Allen (photo by Growing Power)

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.

Free popcorn provided by Flatbush Food Co-op, Kosher snacks available for purchase

WHAT: FRESH (a film by Ana Sofia Joanes)

WHEN: Wednesday, January 27th, 7 PM

WHERE: Prospect Park Temple Isaac, 1419 Dorchester Road (entrance on Marlborough Road), Flatbush Brooklyn, Q or B to Cortelyou Road

** Keep an eye out for the next film of the forum, ASPARAGUS! Stalking the American Life, on Wednesday February 24th at 7 PM, Watch the trailer here!

I’ve seen Black Gold and it is a powerful testimonial on why Fair Trade coffee is important: coffee farmers make a fraction of what we pay for a latte while living and working in terrible conditions. A few pennies more per pound to farmers means the difference between a community being able to build a school for their kids vs. having to grow illegal drug crops to survive.

Flatbush Food Coop presents
Thursday Movie Nights!

Enjoy FREE movies and popcorn (and other refreshments for sale)

January 22nd: The Real Dirt on Farmer John
This film will turn every idea you ever had about what it means to be an American farmer, or an American dreamer, on its head. Meet Farmer John, the incredible human being whose inspirational story of revolutionizing his family farm and redeeming his own life has won accolades and awards at film festivals around the world.

February 26th: Black Gold
As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man’s fight for a fair price.

March 26th: Movie selection TBA

Location:
Flatbush Food Coop offfice space
380 Rugby Road between Cortelyou and Dorchester Roads
(next door to John’s Bakery)

Energy Solutions: Solar One
Livable Streets: Transportation Alternatives
Urban Gardens and Farms: Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Greenbridge Program
Zero Waste: Educating Tomorrow and Brooklyn Compost Project

The Frolic is produced by the Flatbush Development Corporation and our Environmental Fair was sponsored by the Flatbush Food Coop. A big thank you to everyone involved! It was a great day!

Photos by Keka Marzagao