Slow Food, Healthy Food

Are you aware of the Slow Food Movement, begun in 1986, that is catching on worldwide? I was not aware of it until I saw an interview with Alice Waters last week. Alice Waters, after Julia Child, has probably done more to change the way Americans think about food than anyone. She owns a fabulous restaurant in Berkley, Chez Panisse. She is also one of the most well know members of the Slow Food Movement. She believes strongly that healthy, pesticide free food is a right, not a privilege.

The Slow Food Movement began in Italy in 1986, to resist the opening of a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps in Rome. It has expanded to include members in 122 countries. Among the many objectives of the movement are: to form and sustain seed banks to preserve heirloom varieties of produce, lobbying against the use of pesticides, teaching gardening skills to students, encouraging ethical buying in local marketplaces. The philosophy is that good, healthy food should be available to all.

Locally, Scott Murray is president of Slow Food San Diego.(http://www.scott@slowfoodsandiego.org). On June 20, At San Pasqual Academy Field (just off Highway 78, 4 miles past the Wild Animal Park in Escondido at 17701 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, Ca.) they are having a big event. It is from 8-12noon. You can view the four acre working farm, help plant seeds for summer crops and cultivate the soil. They will talk about urban gardening and Slow Food in the School programs in San Diego. Bring a picnic style potluck item to share, and come and enjoy the fun. I hope to be there and see what it's all about.

In the early 1990's I was involved in public gardening in Los Angeles, mostly vegetable gardening, but we were not into organics at that time. This movement sounds very exciting to me. Everyone should know where their food comes from and how it was produced. Teaching our young children how to grow their own food and cook it is an idea long overdue. Not only from the health perspective should we be feeding healthy lunches to our school children, but teaching them how to be self sufficient is empowering. They are learning at an early age what it took me decades to learn. I do have a choice in what I eat.