Product Details

• Actors: Joel Salatin, Will Allen, David Ball
• Directors: Ana Joanes
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
• DVD Release Date: March 13, 2012
• Run Time: 72 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005YFGIZM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,723 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

casts a sympathetic eye on farmers under contract to the giants of agribusiness and acknowledges the challenge of transitioning to more sustainable methods --The New York Times

While Food, Inc. raised awareness about the consequences of consolidation, FRESH advances the argument by talking about solutions. --San Francisco Chronicle

Product Description

Product Description

The underground documentary that became a massive grassroots success, FRESH is the embodiment of the good food movement.

FRESH outlines the vicious cycle of our current food production methods, while also celebrating the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system, from a basketball player and former-executive-turned-urban-farmer to a poetic prophet of the fields who tells us: We can raise everything we need without any of the industrial food system. Director Ana Joanes takes her camera coast to coast and explores the lives of amazing Americans who are redefining the way we eat and how we live. FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the 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, who continues to challenge our discount superstore-dominated economy.

Both an enlightening documentary and a stirring call to action, FRESH transforms the way we look at food.

Special Features

• Theatrical Trailer

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Well Meaning Documentary That Introduces A Few Options To The Industrialized Food System February 23, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

There is no denying that there is a good message and a big heart behind the documentary "Fresh." At a mere 72 minutes, the film raises a lot of points about sustainable food and the surrounding history which has given rise to the all-pervasive industrialized food system. By no means is "Fresh" the first or the last film that will cover this familiar terrain. It may not offer global solutions but, as a gentle call-to-arms, it showcases a number of success stories that highlight changes which can be made by ordinary people. And there's nothing wrong with that! One of the common problems with this type of presentation is that they tend to "preach to the choir." In other words, those that seek out a certain topic will probably already be knowledgeable about it. While "Fresh" may not offer much new information to those already invested in a healthier food movement, the anecdotal tales of its interviewees brings the subject onto a personal (and identifiable) level.

At the common sense heart of "Fresh" is the notion that our food system should be allowed to emulate the way things occur and thrive in nature. Makes sense, huh? If you take nothing else away from this documentary, this seems like a pretty solid point. On this end, the examples include a small farm where cattle are allowed to migrate so that grazing fields can replenish themselves. Some pretty distressing images are contained in an industrialized chicken farm where the animals are overcrowded, physically altered (beaks clipped, etc), and dosed with chemicals and antibiotics so that this unnatural lifestyle doesn't lead to mass death. On the vegetative side, I particularly enjoyed the sequence about ordinary people in an urban setting who have begun an impressive community garden and grassroots educational movement. On the economic side, we see how a grocery store chain in the Kansas City area is supporting the local co-op farmers.

These are but a few of the tales in this short film. In addition, we are treated to a number of interviews with notable personalities and experts in the field (perhaps most noteworthy is author Michael Pollan). "Fresh" may inspire you to think about your options as a consumer--they may not be as limiting as you think. But it also gives you some food for thought about things you could actually implement in your life if you were so inclined. The DVD has English subtitles, but no additional features aside from the theatrical trailer. Again, if you are a devout follower of the subject, nothing in "Fresh" will be particularly revelatory--but as an introduction, it works just fine! KGHarris, 2/12.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see! March 1, 2012

By A. Durham

Format:DVD

This is a powerful video, even better than Food Inc. in my opinion because it is a very well rounded look at what is going wrong with our food supply. It shows how both animals and produce crops are being raised, and the implications for our health and that of the environment. I really liked that towards the end, there were uplifting ideas for change. You weren't just left with a heavy negative feeling on your heart, and hopelessness. There were ideas we can all put into place, such as starting your own small backyard garden, or buying from local farmers. Two thumbs up!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FRESH makes you want to eat March 7, 2012

By PepperSprayCop

Format:DVD

FRESH is best summed up as this: if Food Inc. opened your eyes but made you not want to eat, FRESH will show you what's possible for the food we eat and make you want to cook up a storm of fresh, local, organic, and sustainable food. Definitely watch it!