Playhouse Screening Looks at 'The Future of Food'

In celebration of the on Wednesday, July 13, the will host a free screening of the documentary The Future of Food at 7 p.m.

The will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on South Hermosa Avenue between West Sierra Madre Boulevard and Mariposa Avenue.

Directed by Deborah Koons, The Future of Food takes a look at the rise of genetically modified crops, particularly those marketed to farmers by the Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON).

Monsanto is probably best known as the manufacturer of the herbicide glyphosate, which the company markets under the name "Roundup."

But the film takes particular issue with the company's marketing of so-called "roundup ready" soybean seeds, which are resistant to the herbicide.

According to the film, naturally occuring wind patterns now spread these GMO seeds into the fields of farmers who never purchased them where they cross-pollinate with unmodified seeds.

Monsanto has since successfully sued some of these farmers for copyright infringement, despite those farmers being unaware of the contamination, according to the film.

In addition to the free screening, the event will feature special guest speaker Stacey Hall from the Institute of Responsible Technology. A supporter of the "2012 Label GMO's Ballot Initiative," Hall will discuss the movement in support of requiring labels on all genetically modified organisms (GMO) that is currently forming in the Los Angeles area.

Hall will begin her presentation at 7 p.m., with the film screening following at 8 p.m. after a 30 minute Q & A session with Ms. Hall. Refreshments will also be served at the event.