The Slow Food Movement has over 100,000 members and is found in 150 countries. Their mission is to provide clean, local, sustainable food for all. They do this through promoting sustainable locally focused farming methods, helping to cultivate community leadership and groups to preserve heritage and sharing information, and lastly connecting people together through projects, education and community meals.
The world of the slow food movement is growing in public eye. If you are interested in joining this movement, you can go to Slow Food USA’s web page. Slow Food USA is set up with local Chapters. Our chapter here in Mid – Missouri can be found here at Slow food Kathy Trail ‘s blog page or for more updated info check out their Facebook page. Slow Food USA is having their September Membership drive. To find out more about becoming a member of Slow Food USA check out this link. If you join soon Seed Saver Exchange will give you a 25% discount on their Ark of Taste Varieties.
Here is a video that explains their mission, goals and points of view. It is long but gives you a great summary of the problem and suggested paths to solutions.
Modern food is often heavily processed. The foods in our supermarket now are very different from what was there a generation ago or even a decade ago. Produce and animals are bred to grow big, look good, produce large yields, and grow fast. Flavor and ethical sustainable processing is often the last consideration in these methods.
There has been concerns about the effects of this on many areas of the environment, the food chain, worldwide culture and human health. Modern food production has also created a worldwide fast food culture. These concerns have spawned a movement, known as the Slow Food Movement. However, much of the public is unaware of the movement, and what it promotes.
One major goal of the slow food movement is protecting and preserving heritage foods, with both livestock and produce. Many heirloom plants and heritage breeds of livestock are endangered. One major slow food group has created the “Ark of Taste,” which is an international catalog of such varieties. It includes resources on how to find such varieties. Here is a video that will give you some info on this project.
Another goal of the slow food movement is encouraging purchasing local agriculture and supporting local businesses. This is done as a way of preserving local culture’s food. In addition, it is also more environmentally friendly to purchase local food. It goes along with the slow food movement’s idea of knowing where their food comes from.
The final goal of the slow food movement is ethical agriculture. It is created without exploiting workers, the land, or being unnecessarily cruel to animals. This also includes minimizing negative environmental impact through methods including avoidance of pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. The food produced is supposed to be healthful and beneficial to those who purchase and produce it.
The Slow Food Movement has levels of programming for everyone from community projects to youth groups to international initiatives. If you want to support their cause, get involved in local projects, or save heritage varieties Slow Food is great movement to get involved in.