FAQ
We hope to answer the most common questions below, but if you have any further queries, please contact us via this link: hungercodequestions@gmail.com
Questions about Food Waste and Hunger:
Q: What does your title mean?
A: The Hunger Code is a name for a seemingly intractable problem: how do you rescue food and then pass on the benefits without creating a negative social or environmental impact?
Q: Where is your focus – on food waste or on hunger?
A: Both – these are twin issues and therefore related. The central question the film asks is this: how do we cut down food waste and then pass on the benefit to the hungry?
Q: Are you going to focus on the root causes of hunger – like poverty or lack of access to markets?
A: These will be mentioned, but this film is not looking at why hunger occurs. That’s been covered in depth by other documentaries. Our film is looking at ways to cut waste and pass on the benefit to the hungry.
Q: If you ship surplus, factory farmed food to developing countries then aren’t you just encouraging unsustainable farming and flooding local markets?
A: Hunger is a problem in countries where local food goes to waste at source. A big part of the solution is agricultural rescue on a local scale. Shipping out packs of processed food is less desirable than rescuing local produce. Nobody is looking to flood a local market or encourage dependency on foreign aid; food banking is about providing a safety net for people who cannot afford to eat, not distorting local economies.
Q: Isn’t your film oversimplifying a really complex problem?
A: No – we’re tackling a complex problem by starting with a simple approach. We know that there are different types of poverty and many different causes to hunger. We’re not suggesting this could be the magic answer to everyone’s problems. But it could be one answer which makes a real difference to peoples’
lives.
Q: Why are you talking to big companies? Surely they’re part of the problem?
A: This film is taking a pragmatic approach – let’s try and improve the world as it is, not as we might like it to be. Big companies are interested in cutting waste – it’s better for their profits and the environment so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Q: Surely small-scale, local production is the answer to hunger?
A: It might be an answer, but again this film is looking at the world as it is. Right now, we are producing enough to feed everyone and yet people continue to die from hunger or live with malnourishment. So let’s fix the existing system before we try and invent a new one.
Q: Are you going to cover Freeganism?
A: Freeganism is really important because it has highlighted the appalling levels of waste, so yes we’ll definitely be looking at it. However, there are other films which already cover that topic in more depth.
Q: Are you going to look at the environmental impact of food production?
A: Yes – in terms of waste, this is a very important issue. Recovering wasted food means a reduction in lost energy and a cut in emissions from food thrown into landfill.
Q: Is anyone else involved in this?
A: Yes – we have already been consulting government ministers, academics, food security advisors, charities, aid agencies, farmers, food banks and advocacy groups interested in cutting food waste. We intend to interview them for the film.
Q: Is there enough food to feed the planet?
A: Yes. Despite a growing world population, the amount wasted could easily ensure a healthy food intake for everyone on the planet.
Q: So why are food companies and governments talking about increased production to feed the growing population?
A: Until recently, the political focus was on exactly that problem. How do you feed a growing population sustainably? However, recent attention to the amount of food wasted shows there are significant gains which can be made by better utilising what we already have.
Q: Are you going to look at GM crops or food subsidies?
A: It’s likely that both will feature, but we are ultimately interested in one thing – examining ways of cutting waste and using it to feed the hungry.
Questions about the film:
Q: Who are Beauforts Films?
A: We are a UK production company, working with Across the Pond Inc. in the USA to launch this project.
Q: What’s different about your film?
A: Two things. (i) We are looking at practical ways of cutting waste to solve world hunger. (ii) The film is going to seek political change including a Good Samaritan Act in the UK and EU.
Q: Hasn’t this subject been covered by other documentaries?
A: Food waste and Freeganism have been covered by other films, but we are not aware of any film examining the
possibility of benefiting the world’s hungry by redistributing food waste on a large scale.
Q: What’s your film-making experience?
A: Director Andrew Gray has produced and directed over sixty documentaries, as well as a comedy sketch show and a short costume drama.
Q: What are you distribution plans?
We have strong contacts with a number of leading distributors. We will submit the film to major festivals including BFI London Film Festival, Sundance and MIPDOC/MIPTV. We intend to achieve a theatrical release for maximum publicity, with acquisitions by TV and Home Entertainment networks thereafter.
Q: How much do you need to make this film?
A: $326,000
Q: Why do you need that amount?
A: We want to give a global perspective on this issue, which means seeing what is happening in a selected number of countries. Travel, accommodation, crew, kit, insurance, filming permits – all these things cost money. The amount we are asking for is the minimum level to make an inspiring film.
Q: What will this documentary achieve?
A: We will discover whether food that is discarded could really be eaten by the worlds’ hungry. Along the way, we aim to spread good practice through the developed world by getting governments, farms, retailers and individuals to cut food waste. We will also be talking to internet companies to explore the possibilities of creating a global system to match supply and demand.
Q: Do you want to ship unwanted food to the world’s hungry?
A: It’s not that simple – hunger is an issue in every country, most of which have food surpluses.
Q: Surely the problem in developing countries is one of infrastructure?
A: Better infrastructure in developing countries would be a long term answer. However, if we stop wasting food here in the developed world, this will cut down the amount used and there will be more to go round at source.
Q: Do you think you can get Governments to help cut waste?
A: Yes – we already have some political traction in the UK. An Early Day Motion is going to be put through Parliament to look at ways of cutting down food waste. There’s a lot more to do but this is a good start.
Photo at top of page: courtesy The Global Foodbanking Network, www.foodbanking.org
Beauforts Films is a trading name of Beauforts Ltd, UK Registered Company 05925536
