Watch Cafeteria Man

Cafeteria Man is a documentary film released in 2011 directed by Richard Chisolm. The film details the efforts of Tony Geraci, a food service director in Baltimore City Public Schools, to reform the school lunch system by creating a healthier and more sustainable food source for the students who rely on it. The documentary opens with an introduction to the current state of the school lunch system in America, with statistics highlighting the overwhelming amount of overweight and obese children as well as the prevalence of processed and generally unhealthy foods being served in school cafeterias. It becomes clear that the motivation for Geraci's project lies in the belief that the eating habits of children need to be addressed more proactively in order to curb this trend.

From the very beginning of the film, it is clear that Geraci is a passionate and dedicated advocate for his cause. He quickly becomes the driving force behind implementing positive change in Baltimore schools. Geraci first sets his sights on changing the food served in school cafeteria, replacing processed and pre-packaged meals with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The film closely follows Geraci as he works with local farmers and business owners to bring these healthy options into the schools, as well as the challenges he faces in trying to establish his food sourcing initiatives.

The challenges Geraci faces are multi-faceted. First, he must convince administrators and members of the school board that his approaches have merit. Next, he must procure the funds necessary to bring fresh produce and healthier proteins into the schools, since this is typically more expensive than the more processed options that had been used before. Finally, he must contend with the natural resistance of children to unfamiliar foods. In several poignant moments, the film shows the disappointment and frustration on Geraci's face as he confronts the reality that some of his initiatives simply aren't working for the kids.

The film raises some important and thought-provoking questions about the relationship between children and the food they eat, and the role that schools can play in shaping that relationship. For instance, Cafeteria Man ponders whether children should simply 'be happy with the food they're given', or if they should be encouraged, even with gentle nudges, to try healthier options. Should school cafeterias act as a leader, by establishing and modeling healthy eating practices, or should they simply follow the preferences of the children?

In addition to Geraci's story, Cafeteria Man explores the wider landscape of the school lunch system in America, providing a detailed education on the creation and metabolism of school meal programs, the history of government funding and policy that has shaped them, and some of the factors that have led to the current system. It also showcases educators and advocates who have taken similar initiates in cities across America, paving the way for healthier eating habits in public schools.

The film's style is straightforward and matter-of-fact, with few bells and whistles. It presents itself as an informative and credible representation of the state of the school lunch system and the progress (or lack thereof) that has been made in reforming it. The editing and pacing make it engaging enough to maintain intrigue over the course of its 66 minute runtime.

Overall, Cafeteria Man is a well-done documentary that lives up to its mission of providing an insightful, engaging, and informative look at the efforts to reform the school lunch system in America. It's an important film that tackles a significant issue in our society—one that affects not only the health and well-being of America's youth, but has larger implications for the planet and our collective future.

Cafeteria Man is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.