Alice Waters, owner of the legendary, always‑booked restaurant Chez Panisse and founder of The Edible Schoolyard, has inspired chefs and educators around the world. What does this visionary chef mean by her “Delicious Solution”?
In the fall of 2023, Alice Waters visited Japan.
We Are What We Eat — A Delicious Solution of Alice Waters captures her journey through Japan—the people and landscapes she encountered, the meals she shared, and the insights that blossomed along the way.
The film was made possible through a crowdfunding campaign supported by 592 backers. Since its premiere, numerous screenings have taken place across Japan and abroad, receiving enthusiastic responses and official selections at several film festivals.
We are delighted to announce that, starting April 22, 2026 (Earth Day), the film will be available for online streaming.
Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970 in the U.S., is now a global call to care for our planet, observed in more than 190 countries through community markets and environmental actions. In harmony with that spirit, Alice Waters hosts her annual gathering in Berkeley, where a long table is set among the growing beds and a school‑lunch menu of seasonal, locally sourced vegetables is served. She invites farmers, producers, and educators to share the meal, creating a space where those who grow the food and those who care for the next generation can connect. They celebrate the simple idea that our daily food choices shape our values, our communities, and ultimately our planet.
One phrase stands out in the film: “Farmers First.”
It reflects Alice’s belief that producers are “our treasure,” inviting us to consider how we relate to the world through food.
Through this film, we hope you will feel the warmth of the shared table and sense the beginning of a “delicious solution” born from everyday meals.
[Streaming Start Date & Platform]
April 22, 2026 (Wed) — on Vimeo
- Rental: ¥1,000 (US $6.99)
- Purchase: ¥3,500 (US $21.99)
Please note: streaming editions are for personal viewing only and may not be used for public screenings.
For information on hosting a screening event, please refer to the details below.
From the Production Team
To celebrate the first anniversary of “We Are What We Eat — A Slow Food Manifesto”, Alice Waters embarked on a ten‑day journey through Japan’s Slow Food communities — a journey documented in this film. Supported by many people, the documentary was completed in 2024 and has since been seen by over 20,000 viewers nationwide.
We designed this film not simply to be watched, but to be experienced together — around a shared table, through conversation and reflection. To our surprise, the film has now been shown in over 250 locations, from communities to schools and neighborhood cafés — far beyond what we ever expected.
Alice’s message, “Farmers First,” has quietly taken root in many of these places. After screenings, communities have gathered to share meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, listen to the voices of farmers, fishers, and ranchers, and build new connections that strengthen local food systems.
We have witnessed tangible outcomes:
・In Kyoto, the Slow Food Kyoto convivium was established.
・In Chigasaki, the short documentary “The Wind Blew Through Chigasaki” was produced, following local producers inspired by the film.
・In Zushi, a seasonal farmers market Earth Market began.
・In Hokkaido, the food‑education network Shokumira was launched.
・In Minamata, Terra Madre Japan in Minamata led to the creation of the Shiranui Food Network.
・And in Kesennuma, the city’s new master plan now includes building an Edible Schoolyard as part of its school reorganization.
As Alice says,
“Let’s build a society where producers and teachers, those who grow our food and those who nurture our future, are truly respected.”
With the film now available online, we hope it will keep inspiring communities — connecting producers, educators, and everyday tables across the world.
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Stories from Alice Waters’ 2023 Japan tour are now up on note (by Ama no Kaze, only in Japanese).
We warmly invite you to host a screening of this film in your community.
Screening event details
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