Pebble Cove Farm in partnership with the Orcas Island Film Festival is presenting a free film and food event on June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Seaview Theater.

Farm owner Lydia Miller grew up going to animal rights rallies with her mother. They loved animals and Miller loved her mother’s spare ribs. It wasn’t until years later, after moving to Orcas Island from the suburbs of Los Angeles, planting a garden for the first time, did she start to connect where food actually came from. Soon, she started to adopt animals: a goat, nobody wanted, an old pony, tired from years of carrying children at county fairs, chickens and two mini pigs, brothers Bernie and Herman. It became harder and harder to reconcile the disconnect between how much she loved the animals on the farm and those spare ribs. Gradually the food she ate began to align with her values. A plant-based diet addressed her concerns about her health, climate change, animal cruelty (99 percent of all animals consumed are from factory farms), social justice, world hunger, workplace safety, workers rights and antibiotic resistance. The more she researched and read the more she wanted to share what she was learning.

Miller approached Donna Laslo co-director of the Orcas Island Film Festival and they agreed to create a community event that’s fun and informative and encourages a deeper discussion about food choices.

“What the Health” is a surprising, informative, and at times hilarious, documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about their health, nutrition, disease prevention and are interested in learning more about the food we eat. The film will be followed by a vegan tapas reception with vegan fare.

Admission is free but reservations are requested to help organizers plan for food. Tickets available at whatthehealth.brownpapertickets.com or call 360-622-6460 for more information.