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.

September 21, 2015

8th Anniversary Reel and Meal at New Deal: Just Eat It

Promotional photo

We all love food. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly 50% of our food in the trash?

Filmmakers and food lovers Jen Rustemeyer and Grant Baldwin dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on foods that would otherwise be thrown away. In a nation where one in 10 people is food insecure, the images they capture of squandered groceries are both shocking and strangely compelling. But as Grant’s addictive personality turns full tilt towards food rescue, the ‘thrill of the find’ has unexpected consequences.

Featuring interviews with TED lecturer, author and activist Tristram Stuart and acclaimed author Jonathan Bloom, Just Eat It looks at our systemic obsession with expiration dates, perfect produce and portion sizes, and reveals the core of this seemingly insignificant issue that is having devastating consequences around the globe. Just Eat It brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is equal parts education and delicious entertainment.

The discussion leader for the evening will be Pete Pearson. Pete is the Director of Food Waste strategy and execution for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Washington D.C. and works within WWF’s Market Transformation Initiative and Food Team goals. Pete has led national and local sustainability programs including retail grocery projects across 2,000 grocery stores in 37 states. He is a partner with Transcend Productions, a film production company specializing in documentary story telling. Transcend’s most recent documentary project is To Live Local.

Trailer

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series focused on environmental, social justice and animal rights issues. The series has three organizing groups: Beaverdam Creek Watershed Watch Group, Green Vegan Networking & the Prince George’s County Peace & Justice Coalition. The Reel and Meal started in 2007 with a two fold mission of sharing free films and discussions about environmental, social justice and animal rights issues while helping to stabilize a struggling New Deal Cafe. Eight years later we are still showing films and enjoying the well earned stability of the New Deal Cafe!