September 30, 2006

The Slow Food Movement began in 1986 by Carlo Petrini who felt that the industrialization of food was standardizing taste and leading to the annihilation of thousands of food varieties and flavors. Concerned that the world was quickly reaching a point of no return, he wanted to reach out to consumers and demonstrate to them that they have choices over fast food and supermarket homogenization. Today, this movement has members and followers worldwide.

Members believe that by slowing down, we will have an effect on the whole. You can partake, every time you enjoy these pleasures:

Trace your food sources
Visit a local farmers' market
Join a CSA
Invite a friend over to share a meal
Visit a farm in your area
Create a new food memory for a child! Let them plant seeds or harvest greens for a meal.
Start a kitchen garden
Learn your local food history! Find a food that is celebrated as being originally from or best grown/produced in your part of the country.

Interested in volunteering to support your local farmers and producers? To volunteer, e-mail Monica Lear at lear@vt.edu