The Slow Food Movement- the antithesis of fast food encouraging buy organic produce, Cook & share meals, shop local & at farmers markets, make ‘granny’s’ recipes, opposes GM Foods.
Slow Food started in Italy in 1986, a non-profit group, founded by Carlo Petrini, whose aim is ‘to protect the pleasures of the table from the homogenization of modern fast food & living.
It has evolved into a network of groups worldwide all supporting the following ideals.
Slow Food Philosophies
- Make a conscious choice to eat locally-grown & regionally produced food, to protect agricultural bio-diversity eg. heirloom vegetables
- Eat in season for abundance.
- Learn about our foods origins, history & how it’s produced.
- Taste education- Rediscover traditional foods & try new ones.
- Link producers with consumers – Meet the people who grow the food & support small, local growers & producers eg. at farmers’ markets, festivals, & events.
- Take pleasure in preparing & eating meals together, as a family & savour what you are eating….an approach long favoured by the French.
10 Ways to be ‘Slow’
- Encourage at least one meal each week where family & friends get together.
- Encourage children to learn & help in the kitchen from an early age.
- Cook together traditional family recipes that have been handed down from Grandparents & other relatives. Document these favourites for the future.
- Teach children to grow herbs, vegetables or plant a fruit tree, so they know how food grows and where it comes from. Visit the fish co-op or butchery.
- Visit the local farmers market or producers where you can pick your own produce.
- Learn how to make bread, cheese, yoghurt or other homemade preserves, vegetables, oils & treats.
- Plan theme dinners from different cultures with your children.
- Have a system for recycling waste food, packaging & printed materials.
- Start a compost bin for food & garden waste.
- Encourage & support your children’s school having a vegetable garden.