Organization makes it easier to access food that’s not only good for the body, but also for the planet
By Erica Blackburn
Fast food and fast lifestyles seemed to be the ultimate desire for many people during the late 1980s. However, the disappearance of local food traditions was a concern to Carlo Petrini, who founded Slow Food in Italy. Its mission: to create a world where food and farming is good for consumers, good for farmers and food producers, and good for the environment. Founded as international movement, it soon caught on in the United States and now Slow Food USA’s network includes more than 250,000 supporters, 25,000 members, and 225 local chapters.
Why is it so important to change our society’s food system?
“Today, children are expected to die at a younger age than their parents, and diet-related diseases are at an extreme high,” said Jenny Best, chief of staff for Slow Food USA. “Our tax dollars are subsidizing the foods that are the worst for us and our farmers are only getting a tiny slice of every food dollar. And it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Best said she first discovered the organization she now works for while searching for a way to impact the nation’s food consumption and production habits.
“I first learned of Slow Food USA a couple of years ago when I was searching online for organizations doing work in the food movement that I could support,” she said. “I had recently read Michael Pollan’s Omnivores Dilemma and wanted to do something to address the problems with our food system.”
Impressed with Slow Food USA’s network and efforts within the food movement, Best first joined the organization as a member and applied for a job at Slow Food USA in late 2009.
Slow Food USA works with a wide range of organizations.
“For example,” said Best, “through our recent $5 Challenge campaign, we partnered with Oxfam America, the Restaurant Opportunity Center, and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.”
The $5 Challenge campaign aims to take back the ‘value meal’ concept and push for policy changes in the Food and Farm bill – the single largest piece of legislation that affects food and farming.
Internationally, Slow Food also recently announced a program to create 1,000 food gardens in Africa where people can support the creation of a sustainable garden and train to maintain its upkeep.
Best said she feels it is important that those who push for food and farming changes come together and speak with “one voice.”
In the United States, outreach to minority and/or low-income groups that encourages them to become a part of the organization is a growing priority for Slow Food USA, Best said.
“There are some local Slow Food chapters that have leaders and members who are people of color and/or low-income, and who work in partnership with organizations based in these communities,” she said Best.
There are two important steps Slow Food USA must take to promote its diversity goals. The first: “sharing stories and building relationships with organizations in these communities,” said Best. And second: “constructing our programs and campaigns in a way that will interest and engage them,” She said.
So far, Slow Food USA has seen much success in its campaigns.
“We’ve got over 250,000 supporters and members organizing in 225 chapters across the country,” Best said. “We’re also getting more sophisticated in our campaigning. People are getting why our food system is a problem and are stepping up to do something about it.”
When asked about the future of the organization in five years, Best’s response is an unusual one:
“It would be amazing if we didn’t need to exist as a formal organization in five years,” she said. “By then, hopefully food and farming would be transformed in such a way where we wouldn’t need to exist.”
If the organization is in existence in the near future, Best said she hopes that Slow Food USA will be one million strong – one million people working every day to build a story of food that makes everyone proud.
So how can readers help Slow Food USA?
“We want to be a place where anyone who wants to do something about food and farming can,” Best said. “Visit our Web site at www.slowfoodusa.org and support a campaign by signing a petition or taking a pledge.”
emPower readers can also consider joining Slow Food USA as a member and participate in their local chapter. Monetary donations are also welcomed.
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