Photo: Steve Snodgrass/Flickr

I have a confession: I was craving popcorn.

The moment I entered the dimly lit theater in the Museum of Science and took my seat to watch the critically-acclaimed documentary “Food Fight,” shown in celebration of National Food Day, all I could think of were those flimsy little paper bags stuffed to the brim with popcorn, topped with buckets of salt, and drenched in that fake butter that I have come to love as a compliment to a good movie. Call it conditioning, call it a societal ill, call it whatever you like – I just knew that all I wanted was that delicious sack of fake-food to munch on for the duration of the film.

I also knew that I, rightfully, was going to receive no such snack that day since I was there for the purpose of supporting ideals that counteract that very craving. The screening, sponsored by the Boston-based Let’s Talk About Food initiative, was free to the public and followed by a special commentary and Q&A session with the film’s director, Christopher Taylor. Before the film began, Taylor took to the podium to say a brief word about the documentary. “This film is a murder mystery,” he declared. “It’s about the murder of taste and who killed it.” With that simple statement, he stepped back and took his seat. The film began.

Food Fight, narrated by Justin Kirk (of Weeds), chronicles the development of our food culture and American agricultural policy from the 20th into the 21st century, and covers the recent counter-attack on agribusinesses by the California food movement.

I had heard very little about the film going into it. My expectations were mostly guided by what I had seen in another food documentary, “Food Inc.,” which provides a more extensive, also much more pessimistic, view of America’s food industry. I was pleasantly surprised that the same issues raised in “Food Inc.” were addressed in Taylor’s “Food Fight.”

However, unlike “Food Inc.,” which leaves somewhat of a bitter taste in your mouth, Taylor has created an occasionally quirky yet overall meaningful film that acknowledges the challenges facing America’s collective food culture. It leaves the viewer hopeful for the future because the focus was not a blanket criticism, but praise for those trying to improve our food values and eating habits. From small-town and community farmers (Chicago’s Erika Allen) to chefs committed to using all-organic produce (Alice Waters of Chez Panisse), from school officials who create student-run gardens (think Edible Schoolyard) to political officials working for change (Ron Kind, D-WI) – the film not only emphasized the problems, but also the people advocating for a solution.

It was in this spirit that several questions were directed towards Chris Taylor, MDAR Commissioner Scott Soares, and David Waters, Executive Director of Community Servings, after the screening. For the most part, the questions centered on how the issues raised in the film could affect those of us in Massachusetts. Concerns focused on the details of the 2012 Farm Bill, the growth of recent food hubs and the future of Boston-based farmers markets.

All topics of discussion were brought up by what seemed to be incredibly knowledgeable and interested citizens. As it turns out, present in the audience was the husband/wife duo who run the Quincy Farmers’ Market. After his question regarding the growth and development of food hubs, the couple received resounding applause for their efforts from both the audience and panel members.

By the end of the event, my stomach was no longer calling out for that big bag of artery-killing popcorn. Instead, as if on cue, I yearned for a fresh salad. On my walk home, I made the conscious effort of doing my part for National Food Day by turning the corner onto Downtown Crossing and plucking out a fresh apple at an outdoor market. Chomping into it, I realized what a privileged area I live in in terms of food production, and was filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and hopefulness for the future of our food culture.

Food Fight is now available on DVD. PRK will keep you updated on future events sponsored by Let’s Talk About Food.