Food is complex, and food is political. The choices we make on a daily basis not only have environmental, but massive social and ethical implications. With industrial agriculture being one of the largest contributors to climate change and biodiversity loss, never before have we needed to so closely scrutinise what goes into our shopping basket.
In April this year, Cape Farewell’s Rural Artist in Residence Nessie Reid lived with two pure-bred Guernsey show cows in Anchor Square, Bristol's City Centre, for 4 nights and 5 days, in The Milking Parlour. The show was a culmination of her intensive 18 month research residency exploring the UK Dairy industry and our relationship to food, and more specifically: MILK.
This panel will discuss some of the complex questions The Milking Parlour raised, like: Can we eat meat, drink dairy and feed the planet (truly) sustainably? What are some of the arguments behind veganism versus pasture-fed livestock raising? And given that today milk is cheaper than bottled water, and many dairy farmers are being forced out of business, what does this say about the ways in which we value our food, especially the milk we drink on a daily basis? As part of Big Green Week at 123 Space, the evening will involve an open panel discussion around these themes, accompanied by a Q & A and a showing of a specially commissioned Milking Parlour Short Film documenting the project and the conversations it catalysed.
Confirmed speakers:
Aine Morris - Bristol Food Connections Festival Director
Patrick Holden and Richard Young - Sustainable Food Trust
Professor Mark Eisler - Chair in Global Farm Animal Health and Food Security Lead, the Cabot Institute, University of Bristol
Nessie Reid - The Milking Parlour creator/Cape Farewell Rural Artist in Residence
Susie Weldon - author of Faith in Food: Changing The World One Meal at a Time
More speakers to be confirmed...
The panel and film showing is free and open to all. Places are limited however so please book to avoid disappointment.
Come and join the debate!
There will be a donation box if people wish to contrinute for helping cover costs of room and equipment hire.
