Great Park Food for Thought Film Series Kicks Off with Forks Over Knives May 4

IRVINE – The Great Park presents Food for Thought, a three-part outdoor film series focusing on the food we eat. The first film, Forks Over Knives will screen on Friday, May 4. You are invited to picnic or enjoy food truck fare beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk. Forks Over Knives, which has enjoyed critical success, explores the connection between how Americans eat and our growing health challenges. On Friday, May 18 we debut our second film, Vanishing of the BEES, which examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the impact on our natural world. The series concludes May 25 with the screening of Urban Farming a film that showcases how urban farming has been embraced in Detroit.

“With the success of our Farm + Food Lab, Great Park Farm and weekly Farmer’s Market, the Great Park has become a convening space for ideas and activities related to health, wellness and agriculture,” said Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. “Our Food for Thought film series explores the connection between nature, food and health and offers visitors an enjoyable night under the stars.”

These films will be projected on a giant outdoor screen on the lawn adjacent to the Farm + Food Lab. The venue will open at 6:30 p.m. and the films begin at dusk. Bring a picnic or enjoy a variety of choices from gourmet food trucks. Please dress for cool weather. Admission and parking are free.

The Orange County Great Park is located at Sand Canyon and Marine Way, and can easily be reached by the 5 or 405 freeways. For more information, please visit www.ocgp.org or call 866-829-3829.

Food for Thought Film Schedule

Forks Over Knives
Friday, May 4
Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, people are sicker than ever. Cases of diabetes are exploding. Even though billions are spent each year to “battle” conditions like heart disease and cancer, they still are the country’s three leading causes of death. This film explores the solutions to these problems and tackles the issue of food and disease in a way that will have people talking for years. 96 minutes.

Vanishing of the BEES
Friday, May 18
Filmed across the US, Europe, Australia and Asia, this film examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the implications of Colony Collapse Disorder on global food supplies. Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, bringing forward questions in an industry responsible for producing one out of every three bites of food on our tables. 90 minutes.

Urban Roots
Friday, May 25
Urban Roots follows the emergence of urban farming in Detroit. The film shows dedicated Detroiters working tirelessly to fulfill their vision for locally-grown, sustainably-farmed food, setting an example for community engagement as a solution to the problems posed by a collapsing local industry. Following the inspiring stories of several agricultural programs, Urban Roots shows that the people tilling the soil and picking the harvest have fantastic stories to tell.

About the Great Park
The Orange County Great Park, with its more than 1,300-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park features an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. Other features include the Carousel, Farm + Food Lab, Kids Rock Playground, Walkable Timeline, Palm Court Arts Complex, North Lawn recreation area and historic Hangar 244. The South Lawn lighted soccer fields and Community Garden will be added in 2012. For more information go to www.ocgp.org