Report from Slow Food Nation

Two weekends ago Slow Food Nation set up in San Francisco to celebrate "the birth of a broad and inclusive food movement to build an American food system that is sustainable, just, and delicious." The weekend was packed with workshops on food policy and food justice with distinguished panelists Michael Pollan and Marion Nestle, taste workshops on Slow Spirits, an important and vital signing of the Food Bill Declaration and, of course, great local food.

Our San Francisco special correspondents, Lael Sturm and Tristen Gottlieb Sturm, stopped by on Sunday Aug 31st to check out what was going down. The well attended event was crowded, but comfortable, and they were able to move around and get close to the action.

I was curious if they would see any unusual produce, perhaps newly re-cultivated fruits and vegetables long since forgotten in our fast food world. Tristen and Lael said that they didn't see anything unfamiliar to them, but there was more variety than what you typically see at most farmers markets. What they did see that inspired them was the temporary urban farm that was planted in the Civic Center, saying that it was wonderful to see so many different crops growing in the middle of the city. It even inspired them to consider planting a small garden in their own back yard. In all, they said that it was a fun day and would absolutely attend again next year.

We also spoke with Allen Katz, Chairman of Slow Food USA, to get his take on the event. Allen was ecstatic about the event, adding, that  "Slow Food Nation was extraordinary, an example of the interest and eagerness for people to get involved in sustainable food issues."

Some of the goals of the event were to make a broader connection between food and agricultural policy in the U.S., provide an opportunity for important discussion and education on the challenges facing developing nations pressured by the food policies of industrial nations and to create a broader public awareness of the organizational interests of Slow Food USA beyond the pleasure of food.

So what were the highlights according to Allen? First was the Spirits Pavilion, which he co-curated with Greg Lingren, and the signing of the Food Bill Declaration in the rotunda of City Hall calling it, "one of the most-important action-oriented events of the weekend."

It's too soon to tell, but hopefully Slow Food Nation will return to SF next year and we'll be there to experience it ourselves... or perhaps NYC will get their own event.

N.B. Slow Food Nation is still collecting signatures for the Food Bill Declaration. Visit fooddeclaration.org to learn more and show your support.