Reel and Meal at the New Deal

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series at the New Deal Cafe exploring vital environmental, animal rights, and social justice issues. Admission to the film is always free, sponsored by several Greenbelt community organizations. Contributions are gladly accepted to cover each month’s donation to a non-profit organization.

Reel and Meal events are in-person (limited seating) and online via Zoom.  Each month registration links will be posted here.  You can also reach out to Reel and Meal at

Date: Third Monday of every month
Time: The free film starts at 7pm.
Dinner: Dinners are available at the café after 4pm with several plant-based options.
Carryout: The Co-Op Supermarket Meatless Monday meals can be picked up from the “grab and go” for Zoom at-home viewing after 11am.
Location: Online or at the New Deal Cafe – 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt, MD
Public transportation: The cafe is accessible by Metro Buses G12, 13, 14 and 16 from the Greenbelt Metro station.

May 16, 2016

Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds

Promotional photo

Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds is presented in partnership with Pathways of Sustainability (a Greenbelt Green Team). Also, as part of the evening, we will have a fundraising raffle. First prize is a subscription to Calvert Farms CSA: twenty weeks of fresh veggies and fruit. More information is below.

Seeds provide the basis for everything from fabric to food to fuels. Seeds are as essential to life as the air we breathe or water we drink… but given far less attention. Seeds are one of the world’s most precious resources…and they are at risk. This timely and revealing documentary by M. Sean Kaminsky, illuminates what is at stake and what we can do to protect the source of nearly all of our food: SEEDS.

Approximately 90 percent of the fruit and vegetable varieties that existed 100 years ago no longer exist today. Heritage grain is near extinction. Seeds that were lovingly nurtured over decades or even hundreds of years have been lost forever. Maintaining seed biodiversity allows us to breed new varieties that are resistant to pests or thrive in temperature extremes. This is essential in a changing climate.

In the past, the seed was communal. Seeds were a shared resource not unlike the water we drink or the air we breathe. Today, corporations are co-opting seed genetics using patent law. We may lose our right to own and plant our own seeds.

In this film you will meet a diverse range of individuals whose lives center around seeds. Farmers. Renegade gardeners. Passionate seed savers. Artists. Seed activists. This film tells the story of seeds by following their challenges and triumphs as they work to save this precious resource and protect biodiversity.

Raffle

Tickets are $5. The proceeds from the Reel and Meal Raffle will go to support our ongoing efforts to bring great films and discussions to our community! Prizes include: a 20 week subscription to the Calvert Farm CSA, a “Symphony of the Soil” DVD, “The Zero Waste Home” by Kate Anderson, A Zero Waste Kitchen Clean Up Gift Basket, “Isa Does It! Vegan Recipes” by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Other prizes will be announced at the drawing on May 16 at the Reel and Meal. If you would like to be a part of the raffle but cannot come that night, you can buy tickets in advance. Contact Susan Barnett at , 301-474-7465 or 443-388-2961.

Register your sustainable practice!

Pathways of Sustainability, a Greenbelt Green Team group, aims to identify, map and promote the public and private sustainable practices in the city such as rain barrels, pollinator gardens, compost bins, rain gardens, permeable pavements, native plant communities, etc. We want to promote biodiversity, healthy watersheds, and wildlife habitat. We encourage everyone to register their sustainable practices to get on the map! Registration forms will be available at the Reel and Meal event, or contact Susan Barnett at .