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CIST Student Sandbox

IST 605: Food Studies and Social Justice LibGuide

A resource designed to help students explore the connections between food systems, culture, and social equity.

Movies and Documentaries

Film and series are powerful tools for understanding the deep connections between food, culture, history, and social justice. The following is a small curated collection, available through Kanopy, a free streaming service accessible to UAlbany faculty, students, and staff, to further explore food issues and social justice. Please note many more documentaries and series are available outside of our resources, such as Netflix and other paid subscriptions.

GATHER is a documentary that highlights the efforts of Native communities to reclaim their cultural and spiritual identities, which were deeply impacted by genocide. It follows three powerful stories to show how the reclaiming and recovery of ancient foodways is a way forward for native Americans to bring back health and vitality to their people.

Rawal, S. (Director). (2020). Gather [Video file]. Visit Films. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from Kanopy. https://www.kanopy.com/en/albany/video/10847002

HUNGER IN AMERICA is a powerful documentary that reveals the truth about hunger in the United States. In America, one in six people faces food scarcity, the filmmaker connects the audience to those experiencing food insecurity, helping viewers to better understand what food insecurity looks like and challenges the stereotypes we might have about hunger.

Adams, Z. (Director). (2014). Hunger in America [Video file]. Green Planet Films. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from Kanopy. https://www.kanopy.com/en/albany/video/126723

Stewards of the Land: Serán las dueñas de la Tierra, a documentary that explores the challenges faced by three landless ecological farmers in Puerto Rico as they work to produce healthy, locally consumed food. The efforts of the film subjects underscore the urgent need for local food production when considering dependence on food imports and vulnerability to weather events and economic uncertainty. The film highlights the farmers' resilience and determination to make a living despite lacking land ownership and financial resources.

Teitelbaum, J. (Director). (2022). Stewards of the Land [Video file]. New Day Films. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from Kanopy.  https://www.kanopy.com/en/albany/video/14135590

Podcasts

Gastropod hosted by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley looks at food through the lens of science and history.

Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón is a podcast where the hosts share personal stories and family traditions while exploring the deeper meaning behind food customs. They also provide historical facts to give context to these culinary traditions and include recipes for listeners to try at home. 

Savor explores the connections between how people live and what they eat. Hosts Anney Reese and Lauren Vogelbaum interview chefs, food enthusiasts, and experts from around the world to dive into the science, history, and culture of food and drink.

The Sporkful hosted by Dan Pashman is an award-winning podcast that examines food through humor and thoughtful discussions,  covering topics like identity, culture, science, history, and economics.