As I sat there in a red fold-down seat of the third row, I quickly became aware that I was easily one of youngest people in the auditorium.

*That* is Fresh to death.

Aside from a couple PETA kids in front of me and a girl with big black-rimmed glasses a couple rows over, the audience for Buy Fresh Buy Local Hampton Roads’ screening of the film Fresh at the Virginia Beach Central Library was, well, largely middle-aged or older.

Now, forgive me if you were one of those rare thirty-somethings whom I have yet to mention, but being in my very early twenties and in a room full of strangers who all seemed to know one another, I was feeling a little out of place. I quickly became more at ease, however, when I realized that from foodies to farmers to your average Joe, the one common thread that all of us shared was a genuine concern about the food on our plates and the desire to know where it came from.

Back in the auditorium, the trickle of people through the door slowed and the lights lowered. I immediately smiled as the image of an enthusiastic Virginia farmer tending his hogs played on the projector screen.

The film played on, shedding light on parts of the food industry that so many of us never knew about. We got up close and personal with the horrible factory and commodity crop farms of this country and many of the problems they have caused.  However, I was glad to notice that this food film didn’t just focus on the grim. In fact, the bulk of the movie was focused on celebrating those who are dedicated to the local and sustainable food revolution. Fresh addresses unique and realistic ideas for reinventing our unhealthy food system, down to the tiniest of efforts that we all can do every day.

From Full Quiver Farm in Suffolk.

When the credits finished rolling, we, the audience, were invited to ask some questions and bounce ideas off of a couple of guest speakers, including farmer Scott Wilson of Full Quiver Farm in Suffolk and Mel Atkinson from the Virginia Beach Farmers Market. Both speakers were full of information such as the possibility of a farmers market at Town Center in Virginia Beach and the awesome concept of cow shares, which are purchased by consumers so they can legally buy raw milk.

A major topic that was brought up was the fact that simply asking your local restaurants and super market managers “Where’s this produce from?” can truly make a difference. In fact, I’ve been noticing some Harris Teeter and Farm Fresh stores carrying more and more local fruit and vegetables.

If you missed the screening of “Fresh” last week, don’t get bummed out my fellow locavore!  You can catch it again on Wednesday 10 February at the Norfolk Collegiate Lower School Campus in Norfolk at 6:45 PM.  Tickets are $10, or $5 for students (free if you’re a Buy Fresh Buy Local volunteer). The film will be followed by a Q&A with guest speakers Cameron Chalmers of Lynnhaven Seafood Company, Mike and Louis Cullipher from Cullipher Farm Market, Scott and Alison Wilson of Full Quiver Farm, and Adam Woods from Sage Dining Services.  All proceeds will benefit our local Buy Fresh Buy Local Hampton Roads chapter.  Afterwards, head over to The Boot for “Norfolk Green Drinks,” more talk of sustainability, and great locally-sourced food.

Buy Fresh Buy Local was first launched in Virginia in 2006, and now contains seven different regional chapters, including our own Hampton Roads division. A completely not-for-profit organization, BFBL strives to support local farmers and sustainable growing practices, as well as promote and educate on the importance of these to our health, environment, and society as a whole.