The film festival "Food for Thought" at the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway featured four documentaries and a panel discussion about farming and sustainability.

Walk down a supermarket aisle or scan a restaurant menu, and buzz words such as organic and natural often come up, linking food production to environmental impacts. This link was explored in "Food for Thought," a green film festival organized by the School of Management and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 24 at the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway.

The festival featured four documentaries-Food Inc., Fresh, Flow, and academy award-nominee Gasland-followed by a panel discussion that examined the future of farming technology and delivery as well as food contamination, consumer health issues, and workplace safety.

"These films and the discussion panelists provided insight to the audience members on how they can become proactive in their everyday lives and be able to apply best practices to their working environment," said Robert Koenig, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Management's Student Advancement Programs and the event's lead organizer.

The panel discussion included Ana Sofia Joanes, director of Fresh; Ron Begamini, CEO of The Action Environmental Group; Alberto Gonzalez, founder and CEO of green restaurant GustOrganics; and Alan Someck, project director of the Green Hospitality Initiative of the New York State Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

Panelist Joanes described the process of switching to organic foods and products as "an incredible lifestyle change.

"You cook more and are engaged with food in an entirely different way," she said. "It is no longer about food. It is about life."

Koenig and Someck continue to bring together food service professionals for training in eco-friendly practices. They are also working on sustainable restaurant internships for NYIT students, and another film festival is slated for this fall.

"Alan and I are getting NYIT students involved in green and sustainable practices in the hospitality industry and beyond," said Koenig.

More Campus Buzz

Spring 2011 Table of Contents