Cleveland International Film Festival } March 30 – April 10, 2022

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Generation Growth

Year: 2020
Country: UNITED STATES
Run Time: 97 minutes

In low-income communities across America, children’s health and educational outcomes are declining. This was overwhelmingly apparent to teacher Stephen Ritz when he began teaching in the Bronx, where approximately 37% of children do not have consistent access to food. Since the neighborhood lacks grocery stores, processed foods with low nutritional value are diet staples. Ritz believed that behavior incidents, low attendance rates, and apathy towards learning pointed to larger social problems such as poverty and malnutrition. Determined to enact change, Ritz developed a hydroponic gardening curriculum that allows students to grow fruits and vegetables in the classroom. Massively successful, the system increased student engagement, taught good nutrition, and encouraged lifelong healthy eating habits while producing 100 grocery bags of fresh produce weekly. GENERATION GROWTH follows Ritz as he travels across the nation introducing his program to diverse schools. Whether students live in city or rural environments or are located in special needs or foster youth programs, the gardening curriculum boosts participation, inspires better nutrition, and sets students on a healthier life path. — R.R.