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2009-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE !!! PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND BOOKMARK THE NEW LOCATION!!!

2009-09-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Slow Food Alameda - Slow Food Berkeley – Co- Sponsored Upcoming Event

THE GIARDINIERA WORKSHOP - Learn the secrets of the Italian garden preserve and pack summer flavors for winter!

Monday October 12th from 6pm to 8pm

C'Era Una Volta Restaurant (http://www.ceraunavolta.us/)
1332 Park St #D, Alameda

Rudy Duran, chef and owner of C'era Una Volta will teach the secrets of the Italian giardiniera salad at his restaurant in Alameda. You will help the chef cut and chop all the seasonal vegetables from Rudy's recipe and you will assist the "maestro" in preparing this preserve, which mildly flavored and will accompany many great winter dishes in the coming months!
You will bring home a quart of the giardiniera preserve at the end of the night and you could teach all your friends how to make the real giardiniera.
The price for the event is $20 for Slow Food members, $25 for non-members.
Only 30 places available: get your ticket now!
Use the Brown Paper Ticket link below
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/82508

2009-09-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

From our friends at Slow Food Berkeley

End-of-Summer Tomato U-Pick and Picnic Saturday, September 19th

Tomato U-Pick and Picnic at Mariquita Farm

Organic Tomatoes, Seven Different Kinds, 50 cents a pound

Join us for an end-of-summer tomato picking and a picnic at Mariquita Farm in Hollister. Our hosts, Andy Griffin and Julia Wiley, have an abundant crop of San Marzano, Beefsteak, Early Girl, Green Zebras, Mixed Heirlooms, Gold Slicers, Sun Gold Cherry & Washington Red Cherry Tomatoes.
DETAILS: 1. Arrive between 9:30 and 10 am - the farm is near Gilroy, about 90 minutes from the East Bay or San Francisco (directions provided upon reservation). No pets please.
2. Pick tomatoes and pay for your haul - just 50 cents a pound! Andy & Julia will also have a mini-farm stand set up with a selection of their other organic produce for sale at attractive prices.
3. Around noon, settle down in the shade for a light picnic lunch of sandwiches, Andy's roasted padron peppers, agua frescas and dessert. Andy will give a brief tomato talk about growing tomatoes in the 21st century.
4. Around 1:00 pm, head for home.
COST: $6 per person (includes picnic lunch).
Space is limited. Click here (or email: slowfoodberkeleytomatoupick@gmail.com) to sign up. We will send you an e-mail confirming your reservation, and providing directions to the farm and additional details.
It's tomato pickin' time!Come join us! Mark your calendar!

If you have an announcement or an event coming up, write us. Slow regards,
The Leadership of Slow Food Berkeley www.slowfoodberkeley.com Facebook LinkedIn

2009-07-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

It’s TIME FOR LUNCH

The National Eat-In Potluck
Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009

Location: FRANKLIN PARK
Paru at San Jose Ave. in Alameda
Time: 11AM – 2 PM

Gather with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors - and people across America –
in a national day of action to support Good, Clean and Fair Food in our schools.
Come eat with friends and family in one of Alameda’s beautiful local parks. Enjoy
Kids’ Art and Play with Food activity and hear a speaker panel on the Alameda
Schools lunch program. The Slow Food “Time for Lunch” program supports giving
our schools the resources they need to serve Real Food. Bring food to share that is
Good, Clean and Fair, chairs or a blanket to sit on, and eating utensils for your family
group.
The Big Picture: The President is calling for health care reform and the First Lady is teaching
kids to grow food on the White House Lawn. This fall, Congress will debate the Child Nutrition
Act, which is the law that determines what kind of food is provided for kids at school. By giving
schools the resources to serve Real Food, we can give our children a better future and a better
world of opportunity, security and good health.
With proven links between healthy food and a good quality of life, or between cheap food and
rising health care costs, it’s important to nourish our children well and to teach them about Real
Food both at home and at school. Real Food is good at every link in the chain. It tastes good, it’s
good for us, it’s good for the people who grow it, it’s good for our country and it’s good for the
planet.
Let’s support our schools by giving them the resources to serve Real Food, instead of the
processed foods that endanger our children’s health.
To Raise Awareness at the Local Level: Slow Food Alameda is hosting the Alameda Town
Eat-In Potluck and reaching out to everyone in the community who cares about the well being of
our children: parents, family members, teachers, librarians, doctors, school administrators and
board members, civic leaders, community organizations and churches, and the kids themselves.
Find out more at http://www.slowfoodusa.org/, where Slow Food President Josh Viertal
explains the Time for Lunch Campaign and it’s easy to:
· Sign the Time for Lunch petition
· Contact your legislators
For more information, and to join our campaign, go to Slow Food Alameda at:
slowfoodalameda@comcast.net or to http://slowfoodalameda.blogspot.com/ for details
on the exact time and place for the Slow Food Alameda Eat-In

Slow Food USA is a grassroots network of people who believe that good,
clean and fair food is the right of everyone

"Time For Lunch" School Lunch Bill Pot Luck Organizational Meeting

2009-06-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

Our next event will be Thursday June 25^th, 6pm at the wonderful Autobody Fine Art Gallery, graciously hosted by Jacque and Colin, two of your fellow Slow Food Alameda Members. We will be discussing the upcoming Slow Food USA School Lunch Bill Reauthorization Campaign “Time For Lunch”. We hope to get as many parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else interested in becoming active and advocating for good, clean, and fair food in our schools.

Additionally, Rachel Saunders, our 2008 Terra Madre delegate and producer of Blue Chair Fruit, will give a brief talk on her experience at Terra Madre last fall.

Please bring enough good, clean and fair food for about 6 people, along with enough plates, silverware and cups for everyone in your group. Water and possibly tea and coffee will be provided.

Wine and beer will be sold to recoup the cost of renting the space, or a small donation is appreciated.

Please RSVP with the number in your party to this e-mail – slowfoodalameda@comcast.net . Address of the event and contact persons are below. The door is just to the left of Lee’s Auto Supply.

Autobody Fine Art

Jacqueline Cooper
Colin Herrick
Gallery Directors

1517 Park Street
Alameda, CA 94501

Phone: 510.865.2608
Email: info@autobodyfineart.com

Slow Food Alameda

Leadership Committee

http//www.slowfoodalameda.org

2009-04-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

Join us for our Member Potluck and Leadership Confirmation Meeting at Alameda Free Library!

Monday April 27th 2009
Large Meeting Room
Cold Dishes only (Library rules)
Bring a plate, cup and silverware for everyone in your group
This is a family friendly event; please bring your children, including infants!
Please RSVP to slowfoodalameda@comcast.net so we can plan water, tea, and coffee.

First of all, thank you all who were in attendance our annual Membership Drive at Rosenblum Cellars and a special welcome to all of our new members! Please share a meal with the Slow Food Alameda Leadership Committee and discuss our plans for the upcoming year. There are opportunities to get more involved in the issues that interest you and the Alameda Slow Food community. There will be a short presentation of past accomplishments and proposed activities for the upcoming year. We definitely want to hear your ideas and answer any questions you may have about Slow Food Alameda.

We will also be confirming the list of leaders below for the upcoming year. Any active dues paying member of Slow Food Alameda may vote, or if you are unable to make it to this event, vote via a reply to this e-mail. Expired members are welcome as well, although you may not vote. If you wish to dispute any of these candidates, please do so now and we will have the vote at the potluck.

The proposed leaders are:

Rick Kellner – Member At Large - Slow Food is an extension of the way I live my life, choosing fresh, clean and local whenever possible. My childhood passion of vegetable gardening continues to enrich my home life today, which helps feed my family and teaches my son valuable lessons in many areas. As a working owner of Feel Good Bakery, we practice S-L-O-W methods. All of our products are made from scratch and often take days to assemble before they can be devoured. Time and patience is what adds unforgettable flavors to most of our offerings.

Frank Filice – Member At Large - My wife and I have been residents of Alameda for 5 years. I grew up on a family farm in Gilroy where we had a road side fruit stand. We eat seasonally and I learned the techniques of vegetable gardening and making sausage and Italian cured meats from my parents and grandparents. My desire to be a part of Slow Food Alameda is to transfer this knowledge to our membership in a Good, Clean and Fair manner.

Eileen Savel – Member At Large - I continue my life long practice of preparing and consuming "good, clean and fair" foods. As Vice President of Transmedia, a publicly held company which provided financing to restaurants and a dining card to consumers, I dined at hundreds of restaurants throughout the Bay Area in order to approve their loans and write restaurant reviews for our card holders. I am past president of Alameda's 100 member "Harbor Bay Cooking Club" which sponsors professional cooking classes, book reviews, and food related trips. I have studied cooking for over 20 years with Jacques Peppin, Martin Yan, Robert Reynolds, Linda Carucci, and Alameda's very own Weezie Mott. Slow Food is my passion. I am grateful for the privilege to serve on this board. Along with fellow board member Eileen Bitten, I am now co-owner of the Two Eileens, developing and providing cooking classes and cooking related trips for the home cook.

Randall Owczarzak – Member At Large - My family and I live in Oakland and I've worked in the natural foods industry for the past 15 years (the latter six at Alameda Natural Grocery). For us eating seasonally is easy because of the store and we believe that slow goes beyond eating and affects all of the choices we make in our daily lives. Like many transplant Californians, I'm from the Midwest and still have much pride in the state of Michigan (slow happens there too, you just need to scratch the surface to find it). I'm involved in Slow Food Alameda for my daughter, to inspire others to be slow, to educate and let Alameda (and the rest of the world) know that slow food is for everyone.

Eileen Bitten – Treasurer - I grew up in the Pacific Northwest with its abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, with poultry, eggs and butter delivered fresh to our door. In the summer we ate our produce fresh and then canned for the winter. These food practices, of using good, clean, fair and fresh by which I was raised and have followed as an adult, are the principles of "Slow Food". I currently serve as the Treasurer of Slow Food Alameda and look forward to continuing our work of spreading the word about the wonders of the world of Slow Food. I have been a member of the Harbor Bay Cooking Club for the last 5 years and am currently co-owner of the Two Eileens dedicated to teaching people the techniques of Slow Cooking.

Mark Hardwick – Leader – I have made a commitment to the Slow Food movement because it mirrors our lifestyle and attaches us to the local community in a very important way. I have been gardening my entire life, in many different climates and situations, and few things bring more pleasure for family and friends than a good, clean, and fair meal from our backyard or from a local, trusted farmer. I have also worked with at-risk youth for almost 20 years, and this year’s focus on Food Justice, specifically for low and middle income families, by our parent organization Slow Food USA, is the most compelling reason I can personally find to continue as a Slow Food Leader. The enthusiastic response from our Chapter Members continues to motivate the entire Leadership Committee and we look forward to continuing for another year.

Slow Food Alameda
Leadership Committee
http//www.slowfoodalameda.org

2009-04-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Ploughshares Nursery Events
Want to grow your own tomatoes at home?

All about Tomatoes Workshop
Saturday, April 11th, 10am-12pm

Peggy Kass from Kassenoff Growers will be describing some of the varieties of locally-grown tomatoes Ploughshares is selling this spring. Peggy will also teach us how to help these tomatoes
succeed in your back yard.
Open 9:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday - Sunday
2701 Main Street
Alameda, CA 94501
Ploughshares Nursery is a not-for-profit plant nursery that specializes in native, drought-tolerant and edible plants. Proceeds from the nursery support housing and services for formerly homeless families at Alameda Point Collaborative.
For more information about classes, events, and promotions,
please call (510) 898-7811 or visit us on the web:
www.ploughsharesnursery.com

2009-02-22T17:13:00.000-08:00

Slow Food Alameda's
2nd Annual Membership Drive and Fabulous Food & Wine Pairing
Friday, March 13th, 2009 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

At Alameda 's Rosenblum Cellars

Venture out to Rosenblum Cellars for unique pairings of Rosenblum Wines and “good, clean, and fair” foods from local restaurants and producers - Served to you by some of your favorite chefs.

Restaurants, Producers, Sponsors

Acquacotta

Alameda Natural Grocery

Asena
Baron’s Meats & Seafood

The Beanery

C’era Una Volta

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Croll’s Pizza

Culina
Daisy’s

Dan’s Fresh Produce
Dragon Rouge

Feel Good Bakery
The Hob Nob

Mezze

Mona’s Table

Pappo
Patricia’s Pantry

Live Music performed by Paul Manousos!

Proceeds from ticket sales and raffle to benefit Slow Food Alameda, Alternatives in Action School Garden, and Alameda Food Bank.

Tickets available on the web http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/57865

For more information call 510-684-5411.

$25 in advance, $30 at the door. Limited to 200 tickets.

This is a 21+ event.

2009-02-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Last Crop
A film by David Ranghelli and Chuck Schultz

Come meet and talk with filmmaker Chuck Schultz and Zack Main (Annie and Jeff’s son) following a screening of a 10 minute work-in-progress of a new film being shot in Yolo County.

Date: Wednesday March 4th
Time 6:30PM - 8PM
Location: Alameda Main Library
1550 Oak Street, Alameda CA

If we have anything to do with it, our farm will be here for generations - Jeff Main

The Last Crop tells a personal tale of a family caught in the middle of a delicate interplay between urban and agricultural space in California’s Central Valley. Annie and Jeff Main own a 20-acre organic farm that serves the Sacramento/San Francisco communities. After 30 years of farming, however, they are finding it harder to remain viable in a rapidly changing environment. The film captures the intractable nature of sustaining a small family farm in contemporary California, the struggles farming families must face to keep their dream alive, and the difficulties involved with passing the land to the next generation. The Mains story offers viewers strong characters with a poignant point of view as they strive to sustain their love of the land, their dream, and for each other.

Sustainability is a big new catch phrase, but what does it mean... The true issue to me is sustaining farmers. Annie Main

Traditions Sausage Co. and Slow Food Alameda Present: A Sausage Making Demo

2008-12-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Please join us for an afternoon of fun and great tastes! We are offering Slow Food Alameda members a sausage, cured meats and herb salt demonstration on Sunday January 25th, 12 Noon - 3:00PM.
You will have the opportunity to take part in a hands-on experience. Traditions makes sausages the “old fashioned way”. We will provide you with sustainable meat products and an interesting experience. The class starts with an introduction on the history of sausage making, a few family stories, and a discussion at each step of the sausage making and cured meat process.
You will touch, smell and taste your way through the entire process of grinding, mixing spices, and stuffing sausage links, etc. We will demonstrate how to make traditional family recipes with the sausage. At the end of the demo we will provide a tasting party. You will sample homemade dishes and sausage prepared during the demonstration.

The demonstration class, food tasting, wine and a green salad is $25.00 per person. Traditions will make a per person donation to Slow Food Alameda. Space is limited to 20 people.

Please RSVP Traditions.sausage@yahoo.com or call Frank Filice at 510.814.1878. Thank you for your interest in our local family oriented enterprise. For more info visit the traditions website at http://traditions-sausage.com/

MICHAEL POLLAN SUNDAY OCTOBER 19TH 5PM - 8PM HERE IN ALAMEDA !

2008-10-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

Michael Pollan In Conversation With Sedge Thomson

Sunday Evening, October 19th

Auctions By the Bay Theater, Alameda Point

Please join us for a Benefit for the Alameda Free Library. Michael Pollan, author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food" will be in conversation with Sedge Thomson, host of the popular radio program, “West Coast Live.” Michael Pollan has been on a whirlwind speaking tour since publication of his book “In Defense of Food.” If you missed him recently on Nightline or at an Authors night at Google, you can see him right here in Alameda!

The evening starts with a Fabulous Food Reception organized by Slow Food Alameda.
Sponsors, who are kindly donating delicious and wholesome hors d’ouevres, chocolate, dessert, coffee and teas, include some of Alameda’s finest: Acquacotta; Baron's Meat & Poultry; The Beanery; C'era Una Volta; Coco Delice Chocolates; Dan's Fresh Produce; FeelGood Bakery; Julie's Coffee & Tea; Marketplace; Mona's Table; Natural Grocery; Pappo and Rosenblum Winery.

Here is a schedule of the event:
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Food, wine and conviviality
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Michael Pollan in Conversation with Sedge Thomson
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Dessert, Chocolates, Coffee, Teas and Book Signing

Tickets: $75 http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/42694
Additional information: (510) 464-1099

Please join us in supporting an important local resource, the Alameda Free Library, while listening to a renowned and thoughtful author who is changing how we think about “what to have for dinner.” We look forward to being with you and your friends at this wonderful event.

Your Slow Food Alameda Board of Directors

Alameda Free Library Foundation

A night with Raj Patel

2008-09-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

October 8th, 7 PM
Book's Inc, 1344 Park Street, Alameda

Join us for a night with Raj Patel, author of the awarded book Stuffed and Starved.

Naomi Klein, author of No Logo and the Shock Doctrine calls Stuffed and Starved:
"One of the most dazzling books I've read in a very long time. The product of a brilliant mind and a gift to a world hungering for justice. A must-read for anyone keen to understand how the present system of food production and distribution grinds the poorest in the word while making the rich richer."

All the profits will be donated to Rachel Saunders of Alameda's Blue Chair Fruit, our Terra Madre delegate, to attend this historic event in Turin.

Terra Madre is an opportunity to convene diverse groups of people and to unite them under the philosophy of good, clean, and fair food for all. In 2004 and 2006, many delegates came away from the meeting inspired, with a greater sense of the shared commonalities among the world’s sustainable food producers, cooks and academics. The meeting was a chance to share best practices, problem solve, and network. They returned to their farms, restaurants and universities with renewed dedication, empowered with the knowledge that they now belong to the international Terra.

We will host a discussion with Raj at Book's Inc (1344 Park Street, Alameda) on October 8th at 7 PM.

Wine and desserts will be served.

Tickets are $20 and seating is limited to 50.

Seats will sell fast, RSVP directly at Book's Inc (510.522.2226)

This is a terrific opportunity if you missed Raj Patel's talks at Slow Food Nation and to get to know him better in a more intimate location.

See you there!

Farm Tour to Perry Farms

2008-08-13T22:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 13th

click on the image to enlarge

Please join us for a fabulous farm tour to Perry Farms, a family farm in Fremont. They are one of the local, organic suppliers to the Alameda Natural Grocery. We will tour the farm, have a picnic lunch, and have an opportunity to shop at their Farm Stand.

Perry Farms is a 70- acre farm, owned by Joseph Perry and his two sons, providing an abundant variety of certified organically-grown vegetables at affordable prices to independent grocers such as Alameda Natural Grocery. They will host us for a fun farm tour, taking us around on their wagons and people movers, to see how the crops are grown, giving us the inside tips on what it takes to be successful in producing delicious produce. After the tour, we will enjoy a picnic in a traditional farm setting. We can shop at their Farm Stand before heading back to the Marketplace.

Tickets are $55 and $45 for Slow Food members.

RSVP to lauriez@chef-k.com
or by phone at (510) 522-2909

Bocce event

2008-08-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday, August 21st 6– 8PM
Lincoln Park, corner of High and Santa Clara, Alameda

Slow Food Alameda and the Alameda Italian-American League invite you at a night of Bocce!

“Bocce", is a social game closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire. Developed into its present form in Italy, it is played around Europe and also in overseas countries that have received Italian migrants, including Australia, North America and South America.”

John Ratto, namesake of the bocce courts will introduce us to the game and its local history. Everyone welcome; Bocce is a game that loves the novice.

Culinary delights will be provided by Mona of Mona's table.

Cost: $30 for Alameda Slow Food Members; $35 for non members
Prebooking and payment essential: Check, Credit Card, or Cash to:
Mona’s Table 3215 Encinal Ave # A, Alameda, CA 94501 Phone (510) 814-6179

All proceeds to provide Alameda Meals on Wheels recipients with fresh, local fruit!

Special opportunity for Slow Food Members:
Mona’s Table has limited spaces to discover the art of preparing Slow Food feasts.
Join us Thursday August 21, time to be determined by Mona, and participate in the art of food preparation for the Bocce event.
To register call Mona @ (510) 814-6179.

3rd Annual Urban Wine Experience

2008-07-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 9th, 2-5PM
the Meadow at Jack London Square, Oakland
Come celebrate the 3rd Annual Urban Wine Experience, hosted by the East Bay Vintners Alliance.

This unique event will feature 15 premium East Bay wineries who will be partnering with local restaurants and food purveyors. Live music will be performed by the Cajun All Stars. Admission includes a souvenir Riedel wine glass.

The Meadow is conveniently located near Lake Merritt BART station and Jack London Ferry Terminal, with Angelica Limousines providing complimentary shuttle service to and from Lake Merritt BART station.

$45 advance purchase tickets

$60 at the door

Tickets here.

Educational and Volunteer Event at Ploughshares Nursery

2008-07-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday Aug. 9th, 9:30AM
2701 Main St. Alameda

Let's meet at 9:30 AM at Ploughshares Nursery for a short instructional session (perhaps 30 minutes) on Autumn vegetable gardens and edible classrooms. Then spend about 90 minutes helping propagate seeds and participating in other tasks that will assist Ploughshares with a large order for a Hayward school garden.

This is an exceptional opportunity to learn new skills, carry out the Slow Food mission and help a local school. What better way to spend a summer Saturday morning ! After the work, Slow Food Alameda will offer a light "peasant lunch" of fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and perhaps some grilled vegetables or a salad. Finally, anyone interested will be invited to tour the new nearby one acre organic farm and the community gardens.

We are asking a 10$ voluntary donation to cover food costs and to benefit Ploughshares.

Please RSVP to info@slowfoodalameda.org so we can gauge our workforce and food portions.

We really hope to see you there !

Heirloom Tomato Tasting & Gala Dinner

2008-07-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 26th, 4:00 PM
Capay Fruits & Vegetables, 23800 State Highway 16, Capay, CA 95607

Presented by Slow Food Yolo and Farm Fresh To You.

The second generation farmers at Capay Organic invite you to join them on the farm for an heirloom tomato tasting and gala. The evening will begin with a tasting of heirloom tomato varieties grown on the farm, led by Georgeanne Brennan of Slow Food Yolo to compare and highlight the flavors found in the different heirloom varieties of tomatoes. The tomato workshop will be followed by a tomato themed feast, prepared by Chef Jaymes Luu of Aisu Pops in Davis.

The evening will celebrate the life of Kathleen Barsotti, a pioneer of heirloom varieties and co-founder of Capay Organic. Anyone who knew Kathy remembers her as an innovative farmer. What started as a “lifestyle change” on a 20-acre ranchette in the late seventies has now matured into a 270-acre organic truck farm, managed by Kathy’s four sons.

A food-themed silent auction will raise funds for the Kathleen Barsotti Non-Profit for Sustainable Agriculture. The specific purpose of the non-profit is to benefit the public by promoting sustainability in agriculture and life by providing scholarships for women interested in pursuing an education in the field of sustainable agriculture.

Menu:

Sangrita "Shots"
Roasted Tomato & Corn Salad
Tomato & Watermelon Salad with Mint, Ricotta Salata
Grilled Bledsoe pork sausages & Yolo Land & Cattle tri-tip & Grilled Summer Squash & Eggplant from Capay F&V,
served with Tomato Jam, Romanesco & Smoked Tomato Ketchup
Grilled Peach Popsicles by Aisu Pops

Accompanied by Yolo County wines

$65 General Public
$55 Slow Food members and Farm Fresh to You subscribers
Available by calling 800-796-6009 or emailing contactus@farmfreshtoyou.com

Rachel Saunders is a Terra Madre delegate

2008-07-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Rachel Saunders, Slow Food Alameda Charter Member and owner of Blue Chair Fruit Company was chosen to attend Slow Food International Terra Madre in Turin, Italy October 23 – 27, 2008
Delegates were selected based on a commitment to small-scale sustainable food production, and slow principles; they are producers committed to the production of good, clean, and fair food. Especially appealing about Rachel, according to Slow Food USA, is her commitment to heirloom varieties, including several found on Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste, and her ability to create a successful value-added product.
Terra Madre is an opportunity to convene diverse groups of people and to unite them under the philosophy of good, clean, and fair food for all. In 2004 and 2006, many delegates came away from the meeting inspired, with a greater sense of the shared commonalities among the world’s sustainable food producers, cooks and academics. The meeting was a chance to share best practices, problem solve, and network. They returned to their farms, restaurants and universities with renewed dedication, empowered with the knowledge that they now belong to the international Terra

Terra Madre, the world meeting of food communities, is organized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestries, the Cooperation for Development Department of the Italian Foreign Ministry, the Piedmont Regional Authority, the City of Torino and Slow Food in collaboration with Coldiretti Piemonte and Fondazione CRT. The two distinct meetings, which have grown closer and developed commonalties over the years, are now two parts of one major event. This year Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre will both be a true journey to the roots of food: from field to fork and from fork to field. The 2008 edition of Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre will move towards the application of a holistic vision of event organization, continuing a trend already launched experimentally in 2006, to progressively reduce the environmental impact of the two events.

Our first fundraiser for Rachel was held at Pappo’s Restaurant in June, our Apollo Olive Oil tasting.

Thanks you who all who attended and supported us!

Congratulations to our very own Rachel! We're so proud.

Stay tuned for more information about fundraisers for Rachel’s journey.

Slow Food and GOOD Magazine block party

2008-07-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday July 20 1 - 8 PM
111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco

Slow Food and GOOD Magazine--the magazine that gives a damn--have embarked on a partnership to connect and enhance community among conscious, like-minded folks. This email is an invitation on two fronts: we're inviting you to subscribe to GOOD magazine and select Slow Food as the non-profit you'd like to receive 100% of your $20 subscription fee AND, if you do so, we're inviting you to a big, great BLOCK PARTY at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco on Sunday, July 20 to eat, drink, and celebrate all things GOOD.

To be clear, when you subscribe to GOOD Magazine, you get:

(1) One year of GOOD Magazine (Nominated for two National Magazine Awards in its first year)

(2) Entry to all GOOD parties & free drinks (You're just in time for the huge party next Sunday!)

(3) Plus, GOOD gives 100% of your $20 to Slow Food! (It's like making a donation and getting great stuff at the same time)

To RSVP (YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND RSVP AT THE SAME TIME) go to: http://www.goodmagazine.com/events/sf08

Slow Food Berkeley is hosting a food and information concession at the Block Party, selling a plate of Slow and Local summer tomatoes and local cheese along with ripe, summer stone fruit. We'll also have materials helping direct Bay Area residents toward eating locally in their community.
We need HELP manning our little concession stand. In return for 2 hours of service, you'll get free entrance to the party and all the heirloom tomatoes you can eat! We only need about twelve people, so write soon for a chance to get your finger on the pulse of the party. To
volunteer, email tamareadler@earthlink.net with specific 2 hour increments between 1-7 when you'll be available.

Slow Food on Film Festival 2008 - US Premiere

2008-07-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

Friday July 25th, 2008, 6:30PM
Delancey St Theater, 600 Embarcadero, San Francisco

Slow Food San Francisco invites you to the US film premier of "Strawberry Fields", Special Mention of Honour for Best Documentary at the Slow Food on Film Festival 2008 in Bologna, Italy.

The original scheduled film, "The Price of Sugar", will be shown at a later date.

"Strawberry Fields" is a documentary by an Israeli filmmaker about a day in the life of Palestinian farmers in Gaza. It's a moving documentary portrait about the courage of ordinary people caught in a war zone.

When we think of Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea we remember the news reports about Israel's decision in 2005 to disengage from the strip and withdraw its settlers....and all the drama that that entailed. But how often do we, so far away, get a real sense of life on the ground, for ordinary people? What is life like for the more than one million Palestinians in that fertile but troubled strip?

Ayelet Heller, a sensitive Israeli filmmaker, was curious about life in Gaza and set out to tell the story of Palestinian farmers. What she produced is a remarkable portrait of the courage of people to just get on with their lives...in the middle of a war zone.

The documentary, Strawberry Fields was shown recently in Bologna as part of the international Slow Food on Film Festival and won Special Mention of Honour for Best Documentary.

In addition, a preview of Deborah Garcia's latest film about soil will be showed.

A reception will follow at 9:00PM (Fra' Mani Salumi, Harley Farms Cheese,dessert and beverages, wine sold by the glass)

Cost: $15

Tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets
or
Mail a check to : Slow Food San Francisco
210 Littlefield Ave
South San Francisco, Ca 94080

Please make checks payable to 'Slow Food San Francisco'

Slow Food Nation and San Francisco plant first edible garden at City Hall in 65 years

2008-06-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

City Breaks Ground on July 1 for Slow Food Nation Victory Garden

July 12 Community Planting Day with Mayor Gavin Newsom, Slow Food Nation Founder Alice Waters and Dozens of Bay Area Community Gardening Organizations

Architectural rendering of Civic Center Plaza Marketplace
courtesy of SMWM Architecture, Urban Design + Planning.

Beginning Tuesday, July 1, the lawn in front of San Francisco’s City Hall will undergo a transformation from grass carpet to edible garden, as dozens of Bay Area organizations join together to plant the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden. On Saturday, July 12, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Slow Food Nation founder Alice Waters and more than 100 volunteers will plant the first edible garden in the City’s Civic Center since 1943.

The Victory Garden project takes its name from 20th Century wartime efforts to address food shortages by encouraging citizens to plant gardens on public and private land. In the early 1940s, Victory Gardens were a way for San Francisco residents to participate in developing a secure source of domestic food during a time of war, which was one of the most pressing issues of the day. Victory Gardens sprouted in front yards and vacant lots, and produced 40 percent of the nation’s vegetables. San Francisco’s program became one of the best in the country; Golden Gate Park alone had 250 garden plots.

“The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden is one more way to showcase the City’s tangible commitment to sustainability and, as in the past, confront some of the most challenging issues of our times,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “For many urban residents, access to healthy and nutritious food is as important now as it was during the Second World War.”

Slow Food Nation, the largest celebration of American food in history, takes place in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend (August 29 to September 1, 2008). The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden in the Civic Center will serve as a demonstration and education centerpiece leading up to and following the Labor Day weekend event, providing visitors the opportunity to learn about urban food production. Bounty from the garden will be donated to those with limited access to healthy, organic produce through a partnership with local food banks and meal programs.

“San Francisco Victory Gardens 08+ redefines ‘Victory’ in the context of modern urban sustainability. ‘Victory’ means growing food at home for increased local food security and social equity,” said John Bela, Victory Gardens 08+ Program Manager. “The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden demonstrates the potential of building community around local food production, and along with the City’s creation of a Food Policy Framework, demonstrates the City’s growing commitment to food system sustainability.”

The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden is designed and built by the Garden for the Environment’s Victory Garden 08+ Program, CMG Landscape Architecture and City Slicker Farms, using seeds donated from Seeds of Change and numerous individuals from around the country. Other participating organizations include: The Presidio Native Plant Nursery, Alemany Farms, Friends of the Urban Forest, Ploughshares Nursery, Urban Permaculture Guild, Coevolution Institute and many others.

The garden is produced in partnership with Victory Gardens 08+, developed by the Garden for the Environment and the City of San Francisco’s Department for the Environment. Their mission is to respond to the social and ecological challenges that San Franciscans and all urban residents face in creating more self reliant, ecologically sound and socially just urban human habitats.

/ / About Slow Food Nation / /

Slow Food Nation is a subsidiary non-profit of Slow Food USA and part of the international Slow Food movement. It was created to organize the first-ever American collaborative gathering to unite the growing sustainable food movement and introduce thousands of people to food that is good, clean and fair through enjoyable, accessible and educational activities. Slow Food Nation is dedicated to creating a framework for deeper environmental connection to our food and aims to inspire and empower Americans to build a food system that is sustainable, healthy and delicious. www.slowfoodnation.org

For interviews and more information, please contact:

Naomi Starkman
Communications & Policy Director
naomi@slowfoodnation.org
917.539.3924-cell
415.369.9950-office

Layla Azimi
Communications Coordinator
layla@slowfoodnation.org
925.785.0713-cell
415.369.9950-office

Bay Area Local Food Guide 2nd edition

2008-05-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2008, 4:30 – 8:30 PM
1 Fort Mason (Officer’s Club), San Francisco

Join CAFF and their sponsors for the release of the 2^nd Edition Bay Area Local Food Guide.
Get the most up to date places to find and eat local food; meet the local farmers, businesses and organizations that satisfy our local food cravings; learn about local food from an expert panel and taste the flavors of the seasons brought to you by farms, restaurants, vintners and food artisans in the Bay.
Limited general admission tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets.
For more event info and a list of farms and businesses that will be at the event, visit www.buylocalca.org.
For additional information, call at (510) 832.4625 or email at BFBL@caff.org

click on the image to enlarge

The Fifth Annual Golden Glass

2008-04-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 8, 2008 2:30pm - 7:00pm
Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion

Golden Glass 2008 marks it’s 5th anniversary by celebrating the most exciting, sustainable wines imported into the San Francisco Bay Area. Previously an exclusively Italian wine event, Golden Glass has expanded to include sustainable and terroir expressive wines from Spain, Greece, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and of course, Italy. As usual, the wines will be complemented by savory delights and sweet treats from the Bay Area’s top restaurants and artisanal producers.

The Alameda Convivium will be present at the event with an info booth and delicious jam tastings from Rachel Saunders of Blue Chair Fruit.

Golden Glass will, once again, prove to be a uniquely San Francisco experience! We want you to be a part of this decidedly “SLOW” afternoon and evening savoring all that we enjoy here in the Bay Area.
The Golden Glass wine event, a fundraiser for Slow Food USA, is organized by Slow Food San Francisco, under the direction of Lorenzo Scarpone, convivium leader and founder of the first Slow Food convivium in the United States. Proceeds will benefit the new Slow Food San Francisco School Garden Project and Slow Food USA’s ‘Ark of Taste’ program. For more info and tickets, visit http://www.thegoldenglass.com/

First Annual "Festa del Vino e delle Rose"

2008-04-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 18th, 4pm

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Tomato Event at Ploughshares - FREE !

2008-03-31T00:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 10th

We are co-sponsoring this event with our adopted Nursery, Ploughshares. Come take a tour of the community garden and the new 1 acre patch of land that the Growing Youth Project will be farming. Then listen to the lecture and support the nursery by purchasing your first round of summer tomatoes. We'll have tomato recipes from our convivium members to hand out. Mmmmmm….and it’s FREE!!!

April 10th 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.Tomato Night with Michael Anderson and Peggy Kass.

Peggy Kass from Kassenhoff Growers will be describing some of the 60 varieties of tomatoes that they are growing and Ploughshares is selling this spring. Nursery Manager Michael Anderson will teach us how to help these tomatoes succeed in your back yard.

Directions: http://www.ploughsharesnursery.com/seven.htm