A free showing of “Just Eat It,” the award-winning film about food waste, will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10 at First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist, 23 Dedham Ave. The 75-minute documentary was inspired by the book America’s Wasteland, by Wellesley High graduate Jonathan Bloom. The movie has been called “equal parts education and delicious entertainment” and reflects the increasing concern that as much as 40% of the food grown in the U.S. is never eaten, even though millions of people in our country are food insecure. After the film, find out about local efforts to reduce waste and join us for light refreshments and discussion in Parish Hall. The event is cosponsored by Green Needham Collaborative and First Parish’s Green Congregation Committee.

From the film producers: “We all love food. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly 50% of it in the trash?

Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of food waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on foods that has been discarded.

In a nation where one in ten people is food insecure, the images they capture of squandered groceries are both shocking and strangely compelling. But as Grant’s addictive personality turns full tilt towards food rescue, the ‘thrill of the find’ has unexpected consequences.”