Film: “A Place At The Table”

DUE:  Monday, June 6                                                                                    10 points

1. The film opens with images of a small Colorado town, with no visible minorities, and a discussion of hunger there. Was this surprising to you? Why do you think the filmmakers opened the film in this way?

1. Many of the people profiled in this film are the working poor. What does their situation reveal about employment, the minimum wage, and the cost of food?

1. The film gives some details about why food market shelves are packed with cheap, unhealthy food. What details can you recall?

1. What is the link between obesity and hunger? Why is proper nutrition so important for children?

1. The film notes that one in six Americans have problems with hunger and food security; 50 million school children need free or subsidized lunches. One of the interviewees in the film declares that we are in denial about this. Why would our nation be in denial?

1. The film discusses how charities help but says that “charity isn’t the answer to hunger.” What does that mean? What would a just approach to dealing with hunger look like? What does it take to make this happen?

1. Why do people such as television’s Top Chef and actor Jeff Bridges get involved in issues outside of their professional careers? How can they help such issues?

1. The teacher who delivers food packages to those in need remembers feeling inferior to others as a child when she and her mother had to get help when they were hungry. She said the experience stays with you. Later in the film, Barbie talks about how embarrassing it is to have to stand in line for food. What emotions might you go through if you were in their positions?