MILWAUKEE — This Monday faculty and staff at UW–Milwaukee launch “Food for Thought,” a multimedia exploration of how food connects us to the environment, our culture and to each other. Through films, workshops, cooking discussions, an art exhibition, UWM’s new “green” book club and a capstone appearance by Michael Pollan, students, staff, faculty and community members can engage their taste buds and minds together and provoke a little food for thought.
“Our daily food choices reflect our values and personalities, all the while impacting our planet and our health,” says Mai Phillips – an internationally trained food scientist and coordinator of UWM’s Conservation and Environmental Science program. Her talk “The Story of Food” kicks off “Food for Thought” on Sept. 13, 12-1 p.m., in Union room 340. “The Story of Food” is the first of three brown bag sessions in the “All Things Food” series.
Also planned is an exhibition of international films, each of which celebrates the role food plays within a particular culture, and integrates food as a central character. The first film to be shown is Brazil’s “Woman on Top,” Sept. 16 at 7 p.m., in UWM’s Union Theatre, preceded by a Brazilian-food tasting at 6 p.m.
Another highlight of the program is Campus Sustainability Day, Oct. 20. The day begins with an organic pancake breakfast, 7:30-10 a.m. in the Union Ballroom. The first UWM green book club meeting follows that afternoon, in addition to a light “local food break” and information from local food and gardening groups. All students, faculty and staff are invited to read Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food” prior to the book club meeting, which takes place in the Student Union, room 240, from 4-6 p.m. “The Great Food Revolution: 24 Hours, 24 Million Meals” screens at the UWM Union Theatre at 7 p.m.
All “Food For Thought” events are in anticipation of Michael Pollan’s Nov. 10 UWM appearance. The UWM Distinguished Lecture Series is proud to present “An Evening with Michael Pollan.” Pollan is the best-selling author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food.” Pollan will discuss how we can eat and raise food in ways that sustain our bodies and our environment. Pollan will be speaking on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Union Wisconsin Room. Tickets are required for this event, and can be purchased in advance at the UWM Bookstore (414-229-4201), or at the door as supply allows.
“Food for Thought” is a collaboration of Student Affairs, the Office of Sustainability, the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs.
See http://www.foodforthought.uwm.edu for details.
