A Place at the Table
Director: Kristi Jacobson, Lori Silverbush
Actors: Jeff Bridges, Tom Colicchio, Ken Cook
PlotIn the United States, over 50 million people, including one in four children, suffer from food insecurity. The film explores the systemic issue of hunger through the eyes of three individuals struggling to provide enough food for their families. Barbie, a single mother from Philadelphia, relies on food banks to feed her two children; Rosie, a fifth-grader from Colorado, often goes to bed hungry despite her mother working long hours; and Tremonica, a second-grader from Mississippi, faces health issues due to a lack of nutritious food. Each story underscores the emotional and physical toll of hunger while highlighting the broader social and economic factors that contribute to this crisis.
The narrative weaves personal stories with expert analysis and facts to illustrate the depth and complexity of hunger in America. It examines the history and shortcomings of federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and delves into the roles that policy, agricultural subsidies, and budget cuts play in exacerbating food insecurity. The film also showcases community efforts to combat hunger, such as food banks and nutrition education programs. Through these lenses, it becomes apparent that hunger is not merely an individual issue but a systemic problem requiring comprehensive policy changes and social action.
Writers: N/A
Release Date: 01 Mar 2013
Runtime: 84 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
"A Place at the Table" is a highly recommended, powerful documentary that sensitively explores America's systemic hunger issues, with an educative and frustratingly enlightening tone.
Read our review of A Place at the Table Blu-ray to find out more