'Soul Food Junkies' Creator Comes to Montclair

When Byron Hurt's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the filmmaker decided to take a closer look at the physical and cultural effects of a lifelong diet heavy on meat, fat, salt and sugar. 

The result was Soul Food Junkies, an award-winning documentary that premiered on PBS’ Independent Lens in January and is set to re-air on the network next week. 

Hurt made a stop in Montclair recently to discuss the film, which won Best Documentary at the 2012 American Black Film Festival and Best Documentary Feature at the Urbanworld Film Festival. 

“I endeavored to make a film that took a nuanced look at the complex history of soul food, how it has shaped our cultural identity, black folks' current eating habits, and how our food choices are making us a sick and unhealthy people,” Hurt wrote in his director’s statement.

At the Montclair event last week, organized by the Montclair African-American Heritage Day Parade Committee in conjunction with the Montclair NAACP and the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, the filmmaker discussed the advantages and disadvantages of soul food.

Hurt calls soul food a quintessential American culinary tradition which was created out of necessity by enslaved Africans.

In the film, he also examines the lack of access to quality fruits and vegetables in black communities, as well as the emerging “food justice” movement to change that.

Dr. Alfred Davis and registered dietitian Denise Busby led a panel discussion on the importance of healthy eating habits at the event. Busby gave some "rules of thumb" on portion control and healthy alternatives to fatty meals.

Busby said meat portions should be about the size of the palm of your hand — bigger is okay when it comes to a serving of fish. She also suggested cutting back salt and using herbs and fresh lemon as alternative seasonings. A colorful plate is generally what to strive for, she said. One-third to one-half of the plate should consist of vegetables.

Healthy alternatives to classic soul food staples, such as hush puppies, macaroni and cheese and candied yams, were served courtesy of ABE Foods and CulinAriane and Pig & Prince of Montclair.

Soul Food Junkies will air again on PBS on Monday, May 20, at 10:30 p.m.