Sustainable and Local

Food Organizations
Slow Food
Center for Environmental Farming
Systems NC
Carolina Farm Stewardship
Association
Presented by: Anne-Marie Scott, PhD, RD
Department of Nutrition, UNCG

History of Slow Food

Founded in 1989 by Carlo
Petrini and a group of his
gastronomic friends in Italy
Formed in response to the
despair felt by these men
who were offended by the
1986 installation of a
McDonalds near the
Spanish Steps, one of
Romes most historical
landmarks

Slow Food Is About

pleasure, taste,
knowledge, choice
the enjoyment of food
knowing food origins
supporting biodiversity
uniting as a local food
community and
economy
people coming
together on the farm,
in the market, and at
the table

GOOD
Food is meant
to
be tasty,
wholesome,
capable of
satifying all 5
senses and able
to evoke a
complex set of
feelings,
memories and
identity.

CLEAN

the way its produced

respects the
environment, animal
welfare and our health

those who produce it

should receive

FAIR

payment for their

work

Ark of Taste
and Presida
Projects

Catalogues foods at risk

of disappearing
Includes over 500 foods
from all over the world.
Small projects designed
to offer food producers
direct, on-site support

Renewing Americas Food

Traditions (RAFT)
Collaboration between 7 of our
countrys most prominent
education, conservation, and
food organizations
RAFT brings American farmers,
chefs, conservationists, and
consumers together to protect
foods and food traditions that
are at risk of extinction

Taste
Education

Taste Workshops
Producer visits
Classes and conferences
School gardens
Slow Food in Schools

Center for Environmental

Farming Systems NC

Has been funded to ask: What will it

take to build a sustainable local
food economy in North Carolina?

Across the state, various organizations

are promoting and implementing
exciting initiatives to support
sustainable local agriculture. Ex: new
farmers markets, local food policy
councils, comprehensive countyfood initiatives, farm incubator
programs, farm and/or garden
youth education programs, health
and nutrition projects focused on
local sustainable foods,
procurement initiatives by large
retail and institutional buyers
and schools, and much more.

If each North Carolinian spent 55

cents/day on local food, it would
mean $1.7 billion for the states
economy. That money circulates here
in the state so has a multiplier effect,
rather than going to a corporate
headquarters in another state.

Other benefits of a sustainable local

food economy in North Carolina
include economic development,
job creation within farming and
food sectors, preservation of open
space, decreased use of fossil fuel
and associated carbon emissions,
preservation and protection of the
natural environment, increased
consumer access to fresh and
nutritious foods, and greater food
security for all North Carolinians.

Our Mission
Promote local and organic
agriculture in the Carolinas by
inspiring, educating and organizing
farmers and consumers.
Our Vision
A regional food system that is good
for the farmer, the consumer and
the land. CFSA is a membershipbased 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization of more than 1,000
farmers, gardeners, consumers
and businesses in North and South
Carolina. These members are
committed to sustainable
agriculture and the development of
locally-based, organic food
systems.

CFSA was founded in 1979 by a

group of farmers, gardeners and
consumers to support each other
and foster the growth of organic
food in the Carolinas. Since then,
we've helped define and grow the
sustainable agriculture movement
in our region.
CFSA is governed by a diverse 13member Board of Directors. CFSA
operates with staff and through the
work of volunteers in our regional
Chapters. Chapters develop
educational programs, work on
local solutions to food system
problems, and allow members to
network with neighbors committed
to healthy food and farms.

How to live the Slow Food

way
Education
Learn about Industrial Food Production by
reading books or seeing documentary films
on food production
After learning about your food supply,
decide what is important to you: limiting
pesticides, promoting sustainable
agricultural practices, ethical treatment of
animals, great taste, fair trade, food miles,
petrochemical savings, nutritional quality
Dont be overwhelmed by the system and
the choices start with knowledge and
small choices
Try shifting your focus so that the
ingredient label is your first priority

How to live the Slow Food

way
Taste
Slowly wean yourself off
processed foods
Think tradition revive old
family recipes and
foodways
Think about how your food
tastes, make comparisons
b/w processed and whole
foods
Take a year to honor your
taste and satiety signals
you may be happier and
healthier than you ever
imagined

How to live the Slow Food

way
Cooking
Learn to cook or teach
someone to cook use half
your home television or
computer time for shopping
and cooking
Learn to can and freeze foods
Learn to make processed
foods from scratch; such as
pasta, cheeses, soups, ice
cream and bread
Be willing to fail follow a new
recipe exactly and use good
recipes from classic cookbooks
then learn to experiment.

How to live the Slow Food

way

Purchasing

Buy locally produced foods

(www.100milediet.org): eggs,
butter, vegetables start with
one food per week see handout
Eat with the Seasons in Mind
Buy Organic Foods when possible
Buy Pasture Raised Meats (beef
and lamb) and local poultry, eggs
and pork that has been raised on
real food themselves
Eat Wild Caught Fish and Shrimp
buy as local as possible

How to live the Slow Food

way
Purchasing
Join a Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA) Program (see
the web site
www.localharvest.org for ones in
your area)
Ask dining establishments if local
foods are used to create the
menu
Go to your local Farmers Market
and talk with the farmers ask
questions: When was this
harvested? What type of
fertilizers do you use? Where is
your farm located? How long
have you been farming? see
handout

Ten Great Reasons to Shop at

Your Local Farmer's Market
see handout
Food Tastes Better - Real
Flavors

Discover the Spice of

Life ~ Variety

Connect with the Seasons

Promote Humane
Treatment of Animals

Support Family Farmers

and Local Food Economies
Protects Biodiversity and
the Environment
Better Nutrition For You
and Your Family

Know Where Your Food

Comes From
Learn Cooking Tips,
Recipes, and Meal Ideas
Connect with Your
Community

How to live the Slow Food

way
Gardening
Support School
Gardens and teaching
children to grow their
own food
Start your own family
or community garden
Learn how to compost

Just start by doing

one thing at a time
and slow down

Find out more about Slow Food

USA and your local NC
chapters

www.slowfoodusa.org