Film can be a powerful tool for social change. We were lucky to be a part of that change this week, when a film we worked on, ‘A Place At The Table’, had direct impact on the passing of important legislation aimed at increasing student participation in nutritious, lunch and breakfast programs.

One of our directors – and the co-director of ‘A Place At The Table’ – Kristi Jacobson, wrote about the Feed to Achieve Act:

A very special screening of the film was held at the Culture Center Auditorium in West Virginia last week where legislators and local residents came together to watch the film and discuss issues around child poverty and hunger. The event was organized by the Senate Select Committee on Children and Poverty after its Chairman – Senator Unger – saw the film. Unger said of ‘A Place At The Table’;

“After watching the film, I felt it was important that the committee members, as well as the entire Legislature, have the opportunity to see the film … [which] frames the issue perfectly and describes in vivid detail the same struggles described during our community meetings.”

Less than a week later, the Feed to Achieve Act passed both houses in West Virginia. As described in the associated press release by Senate Majority Leader Unger;

“The Feed to Achieve Act is an important step forward to ensure that all students have their stomachs filled, so that the teachers can effectively fill their minds.”

We are so excited to share this news. A big congratulations to Kristi for inspiring our policy-makers in Washington!

Check out the panel discussion with Co Director Lori Silverbush, Author Janet Poppendieck and representatives of Participant Media – Wendy Cohen and Christian McGuigan.