history of Slow Food

The history of Slow Food is an international movement founded by Carlo Petrini in 1986.  Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem.  The Slow Food movement has since expanded globally to over 100,000 members in 132 countries. Its goals of sustainable foods and promotion of local small businesses are paralleled by a political agenda directed against globalization of agricultural products.

Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.  There are two basic principles: 1-From Plate to Planet, and 2- Good, Clean & Fair Food.  In the United States, members of Slow Food USA’s 200 chapters celebrate the amazing bounty of food that is available and work to strengthen the connection between the food on our plates and the health of our planet. 

FROM PLATE TO PLANET:  Members are involved in activities such as:

•  Raising public awareness, improving access and encouraging the enjoyment of foods that are local, seasonal and sustainably grown

•  Caring for the land and protecting biodiversity for today’s communities and future generations

•  Performing educational outreach within their communities and working with children in schools and through public programs

•  Identifying, promoting and protecting fruits, vegetables, grains, animal breeds, wild foods and cooking traditions at risk of disappearance

•  Advocating for farmers and artisans who grow, produce, market, prepare and serve wholesome food

•  Promoting the celebration of food as a cornerstone of pleasure, culture and community

GOOD, CLEAN & FAIR:

Good:  The word good can mean a lot of things to a lot of people.  For Slow Food, the idea of good means enjoying delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals.  The pleasures of good food can also help to build community and celebrate culture and regional diversity.

Clean:  Clean food means nutritious food that is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies.  It is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promotes  biodiversity.

Fair: The belief that food is a universal right.  Food that is fair should be accessible all, regardless of income, and produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

Slow Food’s Vision:  Food is a common language and universal right.  Slow Food USA envisions a world in which all people can eat food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it, and good for the planet.

Slow Food is about the people who take the time to be part of it

Slow Foods Pocono Mountian Chapter is proud to become active and involved with the Slow Food Movement.  

To learn more about Slow Food, visit www.slowfoodusa.org.  

If you want to get involved locally, contact  Daniel Rothman at SlowFoodsPoconoMountain@gmail.com

*Thank you to Slow Food USA.org & Wine & Roses Blog for providing information for this blog.