Slow Food Movement
According to a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle (10/30/06), the Slow Food movement has more to do with international outreach between chefs and growers and less to do with snobby European epicures.
What is the Slow Food Movement? According to the Slow Food USA website, the concept of a slow food movement encompasses the concept of eating locally and savoring food (and where it comes from).
I’m just learning about this movement myself although I’ve read a few whispers about it in magazines such as Bon Appetit and Gourmet.
What impresses me the most about this movement is the unwavering focus on local food and on the enjoyment of foods that are grown and produced nearby. In California, it is easy to do this because of the many wonderful products readily available from wine to produce to meats. Truly, living in California is a foodie paradise. Other states in the U.S. also have the advantage of delicious local produce and other products.
How can the slow food movement apply to those states where fresh produce (or at least a variety of fresh produce) is not always available? Today, modern life often does not allow for time to savor one’s meals. And it is too easy for many to find meals that are already prepared at the market or served hot at the drive-through.
As a foodie, I feel that a balance is necessary and yet I’m not sure how people should compromise when it comes to the food that we eat.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:37 am
[...] Slow <b>Food</b> Movement [...]
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:27 am
You should check out the Slow Food Guide to San Francisco.
November 10th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
I would encourage you to join your local convivium and fully participate in our movement. You raise an interesting question about what happens in those areas where there is no local produce … I live in (wet) Vancouver, BC and from November to April it can be a challenge to find local produce, in season. However, there are lots of root veggies, squash and greens grown locally during the fall/winter season. It can be a challenge to buy JUST local but we try as much as possible. I cannot think of any areas where there would not be some local produce … slow regards, Brenda