A Revolution In The Desert

A REVOLUTION IN THE DESERT is a documentary feature about the Food Desert crisis in America, the story of a grocer who took it on, and its impact on a marginalized community.

IN DEVELOPMENT

If you live in a poorer neighborhood in an American City, there is a good chance that you live in a “food desert.”

These areas have little access to supermarkets, fresh produce, and quality food. People default to fast food, fried food, and overpriced food from the local corner store. The result: diabetes, heart problems, strokes, and generally poor health that cuts one’s life expectancy by 15-20 years.

This is a story of the Brown Family, who took on the challenge to solve the food desert problem. A challenge that they were told was doomed to failure.

Along the way the Brown’s learned more about people in poverty. From Nigerians to Dominicans. From serving sweet potato pies to African Grains. And from taking on the problem of the under-employed. Today 600 of their 2200 employees were once incarcerated. The program they designed has become a national model.

Wayne is a two time convicted felon who, at age 40, will do anything to stay out of jail. After his release he gets his first legit job, working at a supermarket in his old neighborhood, one of the most impoverished in Philadelphia.

So begins the journey of hundreds of other “returning citizens”, all working for the same independent grocer, “Mr. Brown”, in underserved communities, previously the worst food deserts in the country.

Against this dramatic back story, A Revolution in the Desert is filled with conflict. As the story unfolds, three newly released prisoners start their jobs, three veteran ex-convicts face new life challenges, and Jeff Brown faces a new challenge to break the circle of poverty in the city he loves.

Jeff Brown worked along side Michelle Obama in the billion dollar funding to tackle food deserts across the country. Brown is recognized as one of our nation’s leading experts on combating poverty.

Cenna Wilkerson, Director/Cinematographer, is accomplished at capturing the meaning behind the moment. She’s filmed on the front line of change, telling a range of stories, from Grammy awarding-winning musicians to survivors who beat cancer.