Reel Causes works with filmmakers and Canadian organizations to spotlight social justice issues through film. We like their style. This week, Reel Causes takes on food waste with The Interceptors, a short film centred on Vancouver Chef TJ Conwi.
Food waste and food insecurity sit side-by-side in Vancouver. Huge amounts of perfectly edible food go in the bin every year, while many residents struggle to access a reliable meal. It’s a gap that shouldn’t exist, and one that a growing number of cooks, volunteers, and organizers are working to close.
The Interceptors looks straight at this tension. It follows Chef Conwi, along with a team of volunteers, as they collect ingredients and turn them into meals for people who need them most. The film isn’t interested in quick fixes — it’s about steady, local action and what happens when people decide to show up.
From Reel Causes: “The Interceptors, a 2023 short film directed by Ben Cox and produced by Mike Johnston…follows Chef Conwi and volunteers as they rescue surplus ingredients collected by Vancouver Food Runners and transform them into meals for residents in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a neighbourhood home to some of the city’s most vulnerable populations. By reducing food waste and distributing meals to people experiencing food insecurity, these volunteers are addressing two urgent, intertwined crises: the environmental cost of wasted food and the human cost of hunger. Food insecurity affects roughly 1 in 4 Canadians, and rates are often higher in urban areas like Vancouver, where housing costs, poverty, and systemic inequities intersect. At the same time, Canadians waste about 46.5% of all food produced every year, much of it still edible. The Interceptors shows how local action can make a meaningful difference in both arenas: rescuing surplus food before it ends up in landfill and transforming it into nourishing meals for the community.”
Reel Causes is hosting the November 27th screening (7pm) with Filipino BC, followed by a panel discussion led by moderator Matthew Asuncion, with Chef TJ Conwi and Michelle Reining (Executive Director, Vancouver Food Runners). Plus, there will be a live cooking demo from Chef Conwi (optional to attend). Tickets run from $10.20 to $20.40 per person, depending on whether you want to stick around for the demo. We expect them to fly! Get yours HERE before that happens.
WHY WE CARE
A film gives you room to take in the bigger picture and see what’s at stake, and puts everyone on the same page. You watch the same story and sit with the same questions; then head into a post-screening panel where you can react, push back, or dig into how these issues show up close to home. It’s a solid way to tackle problems that feel too big when you’re trying to sort them out on your own. If you want a grounded look at how Vancouver communities tackle hunger and reroute good food away from landfill, this screening is worth your time.
Gastown
Celebrating Gold, New Spring Inspirations, and Chartreuse Week at L’Abattoir
L’Abattoir Offers Private Dining Options for Your Spring & Summer Gatherings
Amber: A Gastown Listening Lounge Built Around Sound
L’Abattoir Announces Exclusive Pop-Ups During North America’s 50 Best Bars Week
Escape the Winter and Come Gather at L’Abattoir
L’Abattoir Showcases Two Distinct Experiences for Dine Out Vancouver 2026
Popular
Amber: A Gastown Listening Lounge Built Around Sound
Vancouver’s Published on Main Named No. 17 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
AnnaLena Names to North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Wild Blue Named to 50 Best Restaurants List, North America
June Introduces ‘Lala’, a New Vinyl Listening Bar
