The big circle of slow food — Members…
The big circle of slow food — Members of the Chico chapter of Slow Food Shasta Cascade are passionate about local food
CHICO — "Let us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of fast foods."
So reads The Slow Food Manifesto, a document upon which an international food movement is based. It is aimed at promoting regional food and cultural identity.
"Slow Food cuts across the ideological and political spectrum. It"s neither right nor left. It is a way of eating and living," said Lori Weber, an active member of the Chico chapter of Slow Food Shasta Cascade.
The Slow Food movement was started by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 in response to the "increasing industrialization of food and standardization of taste," according to the organization"s written history. Petrini believed the rise of fast food was causing thousands of food varieties and food traditions to disappear and that people were losing the connection between "plate and planet."
Slow Food aims to demonstrate alternatives to industrial food and farming, raise awareness of how food impacts the environment and support the people who grow and produce food.
There are more than 140,000 Slow Food members in chapters, called "convivia," in 150 countries.
"Love to eat"
"I love to eat good food, lots of good food," said Kathy Moore.
"There are foods that are just not available in regular stores — artisan cheeses, varieties of tomatoes and other vegetables. I realized that to save these foods, we have to eat these foods," she said
"That"s why you just might want to pay a little extra at farmers markets for these local, fresh foods, delicious food rather than buy the tasteless varieties at the store." Moore is a Red Bluff resident and founding member of Slow Food Shasta Cascade.
Moore, along with a handful of other "foodies" started the local chapter, which encompasses Shasta, Tehama and Butte counties, in 2005. The chapter"s mission is to encourage the enjoyment of locally grown and produced foods and to connect farmers and producers to each other and to consumers.
"Neat to learn"
"We believe in the local food movement and really enjoy the group of Slow Food people," said Bob Steinacher, who, along with his wife, Karen, is a member and owner of Maywood Farms, a 172 organic fig orchard in Cottonwood.
Not only do the Steinacher"s enjoy the people and the food, they also enjoy the education that the Slow Food network provides.
"It"s neat to learn what other framers and producers are doing and all the special niche products produced in the north valley. To learn about the organic pork and beef production that the folks at Llano Seco Rancho are doing as well as their work with Fish and Game to develop wetland on their property; the way Loadstar Olive Oil is producing and marketing olive oil. The integrated farming practices at Chaffin Family Orchards is fascinating," said Steinacher.
"There are many family farms that are using innovative practices and are on the forefront of farming. We never want to stand still. We always want to do it better and it"s wonderful to connect with others who want the same thing."
Making the connections is a big part of Slow Food Shasta Cascade chapter. Through large and small food events at local farms, participation in county fairs and monthly meetings the group strives to share, learn and enjoy local bounty.
"People join because they believe in and support the cause and because it connects them in a very real way both socially and from a business standpoint to others who are like-minded," said Weber.
"A slow way"
""We have gotten too far away from a slow way of life, from taking time to be with one another. Life is too fast, too frenzied and slowing down to eat good food with good people returns us to our community and we all reap the benefits."
It is that return to a slower way of life, at least at the dinner table, along with the business and health benefits that had Dewy Lucero, owner of Lucero Olive Oil in Corning, pull his chair up to the Slow Food table.
"The idea of what it stands for really appealed to me — the getting back to fresh, local product, cooking and eating healthy food at home," said Dewy.
"There is also the trust factor. Knowing who grows or produces your food and that they use practices that are sound and healthy to do is important," he said.
Dewy, comes from a long line of olive farmers: His grandfather on his father"s side started the olive oil business 45 years ago and his mother"s family has been growing table olive for four generation. That echoes another important aspect that Shasta Cascade Slow Food members point to: economics.
"The fresh factor is huge in supporting our local economy. We live in a great ag producing region and I think down the road it"s this industry that we"ll hang our hat on," he said. "Slow food supports the local economy, local health and a real local community. Slow Food is a big circle coming around to benefit and bring everyone together."
Slow Food Shasta Cascade will be celebrating Terra Madre Day, December 10, 2011 with Lucero Olive Oil at their Winter Crush Event. For more information go to lucerooliveoil.com and slowfood.com/terramadreday.
Blush Catering and Slow Food Present: A Moveable Feast
CHICO — "A Moveable Feast" is how Slow Food Shasta Cascade and Blush Catering are describing a meal showcasing local products and the farmers who grow them put on Dec. 4 at Arc Pavilion, 2040 Park Ave.
From 5-6:30 p.m. there will be appetizers and a no-host bar stocked with locally produced wine and beer before dinner. Then dishes made with products from Chaffin Family Orchards, GRUB, Morse Farms, North Valley Farms Chèvre, and Turri Family farms will be served. The people behind the food will be on hand to discuss their products.
Tickets are $40 at brownpapertickets.com. Deadline to purchase is 5 p.m. Dec. 3.
Prior to the dinner, a free boutique will feature several of the participating farmers and Slow Food USA"s Ark of Taste program. Other eco-friendly local products will also be available for sale.
About Slow Food
What it is: Slow Food Shasta Cascade is a nonprofit, eco-gastronomic organization that supports a bio-diverse, sustainable food supply, local producers, heritage food ways, and rediscovery of the pleasures of the table.
They are: Some 100 farmers, food producers and those who love to eat in Tehama, Shasta and Butte counties.
Go surfing: Slow Food Shasta Cascade at
http://www.slowfoodshastacascade.org/;
Slow Food USA at www.slowfoodusa.org;
Slow Food International at www.slowfood.com
Around here: Lori Weber, Lweber@csuchico. edu or Kathy Moore 529-2729.
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