Regional partners are hoping the release of a new documentary film will inspire people in Western New York to play a larger role in the local food system.

Kimberly LaMendola, food system projects manager with New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, said “Foodways: Stories of Farms, Food, and Resilience” is a helpful resource for understanding the various functions and elements involved in the food system.

“What we eat and where we get our food are two of the biggest predictors of a region’s farm sector strength and sustainability, on a region’s food insecurity and equity measure, and on a region’s community social and environmental health indicators,” she said.

While LaMendola said most people do not realize the power they have as a consumer, she said the goal of the “Foodways” documentary is to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the resources, activities, people, inputs and transactions that support a region’s food system. The film is intended to encourage people to become more active in developing a better food system both locally and around the globe.

“‘Foodways: Stories of Farms, Food, and Resilience’ follows food through its life cycle from farm to waste and highlights the various ways that we can shift dependence away from our tether to global supply and value chains and toward our local food systems,” LaMendola said.

By building local and regional food systems that are sustainable, equitable, vibrant, profitable and capable of operating independently from larger food systems, LaMendola said local communities can have increased access to nutritious food, local economies can be strengthened and environmental benefits can be achieved.

LaMendola told The Post-Journal the documentary film was inspired by the global and local food system disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in empty grocery store shelves, the closure of food service programs and restaurants and increased demand for food assistance from food banks and food pantries.

“Not only was increased food insecurity readily witnessed, but also impacts to all the primary functions of a food system: production, processing, distribution, consumption, and food waste and land regeneration,” she said.

“We wanted to delve into a better understanding of these impacts, especially impacts to the area’s local farmers, food processors, distributors, and of course, the eaters.”

LaMendola said the documentary film also provided away to highlight the passion, hard work, and issues that farmers and food producers face on a constant basis.

“Through their stories and issues outlined in our documentary, we feel there are true examples of resilience – resilience faced in their everyday life of growing and making food and resilience exhibited during challenges magnified and newly wrought by the pandemic,” she said.

Following the recent premier of the film, LaMendola said public screenings are being held throughout Western New York. She explained that there will “never be a cost” for people to view the film since it is intended to be viewed by as many people as possible. Following spring and summer screenings for “Foodways,” LaMendola said the documentary will be available for people to stream online.