Nourishing Japan is an optimistic documentary short about fostering a healthy relationship to food, our most vital resource, through early education. The introduction of the Food Education Law in 2005 led to a focus on teaching nutrition to elementary school students across Japan and providing nutritious lunches to every child. The documentary highlights that putting healthy meals on children’s desks is a coordinated effort involving the school lunch centers that prepare the food, the farmers who grow it, and the educators who instill the importance of nutrition in their students.
With a runtime of fewer than 25 minutes, the documentary manages to pack in a lot of information without feeling rushed or dense. It’s interesting and informative, giving insight into Japan’s holistic approach to children’s nutrition. The quality of the school lunches shown certainly put what many of us think of as a typical school lunch to shame. The ingredients are, whenever possible, sourced locally to support communities and to encourage children to appreciate nearby resources.
The short film showcases the importance of collaboration in achieving the goal of creating a more health-conscious generation who will lead the way toward a healthier Japan. It’s not just about nutrition – it’s about changing the way people relate to food. The footage of elementary school classrooms illuminates that the children are not just passive consumers of knowledge but active participants in their own health. Educators pair nutritional education with engagement by having the children talk with local farmers, gaining knowledge in the garden, and serving food to each other before sharing a meal.
Not only does Nourishing Japan introduce its audience to a different way of approaching children’s nutrition, but it challenges viewers to reconsider their own relationship with food. Rather than being seen as a commodity, food can be a way of connecting to our bodies and our communities through nurturing ourselves and others. Highly Recommended for film collections with a focus on food and the environment in public libraries, especially in the children's section.
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