The Slow Food Movement

What is the slow food movement?
The slow food movement is a counter move to the fast-food culture that we have today. It is a movement that’s main purpose is to take food and meals and make them varied, flavorful, and different (Petrini, 2001). In the slow food movement you don’t eat any fast food, instead you make all or most of the food you eat. The fruits, vegetables, and meat used in the meals are from farms that directly profit the farmer (Deenen, 2012).

The slow food movement was started up in Italy in 1985 by Carlo Petrini (Deenen, 2012). At this point in time, it was only a movement Italy. However in 1989, it became an international movement when delegates met from around the world to make the slow food manifesto (Petrini, 2001):

Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilization, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.
We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.
To be worthy of the name, Homo Sapiens should rid himself of speed before it reduces him to a species in danger of extinction.
A firm defense of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.
May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.
Our defense should begin at the table with Slow Food.
Let us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.
In the name of productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes. So Slow Food is now the only truly progressive answer.
That is what real culture is all about: developing taste rather than demeaning it. And what better way to set about this than an international exchange of experiences, knowledge, projects?
Slow Food guarantees a better future.
Slow Food is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little snail as its symbol. (Slow Food 2012).

Today the slow food movement is a non-profit organization, and it has members in approximately 50 countries. Anything related to the slow movement is marked bu the snail seen below.

The Slow Food Seal

Advantages
There are many advantages to the slow food movement. The biggest advantage is that you are creating a healthier self. Since slow food is the opposite of fast food and the food being eaten is fresher, you are eating less of the GMOs, preservatives, and grease that makes people unhealthy. Another advantage to the slow food movement is that you are supporting the local farms given that you are buying more fresh and local foods. Since the Slow Food movement is a non-profit organization, you will have a strong since community to do activities, share recipes, and help each other out.
Disadvantages
The world we live in is one where people are constantly on-the-go. That is why fast food and ready-made food is popular choice to eat every day. Since most of the slow food meals you have to make by hand, it could become time consuming for people with busy schedules. You would have to set a chunk of time just for cooking, and most people don’t have the time to do that. Along with this movement being time-consuming, it could also get expensive. The foods you eat in the slow food movement are from local farms, organic stores, farmers markets, and CSAs. Most of this food is expensive to buy, and if they are from farms or farmers markets they may only be offered seasonally.

How to join the slow food movement

The slow food movement is an organization, and it has offices throughout the country. I suggest that you contact some using the Slow Food USA website where they can tell  closest office is to you. Once you find the closest office, you can meet with someone and they can help get you started in the movement.

Citations:
Deenen, S. (2012). Slow food movement. Retrieved 12 4, 2012, from the daily green: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/slow-food-movement
Petrini, C. (2001). Slow Food: the case for taste. New York: Columbia.