Slow Food Nation and the National Congress
The events of Slow Food Nation and the National Congress have been over for a week now and my head is still spinning from all our wonderful experiences.


I missed the welcome dinner on Wednesday night but was there in time for the National Congress meeting Thursday morning. We were greeted by none other than Carlo Petrini himself who spoke through an interpreter. It was not hard to miss his passion and enthusiasm for Slow Food. What a treat! We had other speakers including the new Slow Food USA president, Josh Viertel. A young man full of energy and new ideas.

After the day's presentations, meetings and workshops we gathered and walked in groups from the hotel to the City Hall Rotunda for the Healthy Food and Agriculture Declaration. The declaration was read by some of the framers and there was a lot of excitement in the air. You can read, endorse and/or comment on the declaration at http://fooddeclaration.org/.


A walk across the street was all that was needed to get to the Victory Garden and the Come to Table dinner that was set up in long tables all around the garden. A beautiful setting for wonderful food and company. Alice Waters and Carlo Petrini were in attendance. As day turned to night everything was illuminated by bulbs strung overhead and the spotlight from the Capital building. I wish you all could have been there.

On the next day Amy and I both attended the Food for Thought speaker series. It opened with The Word Food Crisis moderated by Michael Pollen and featuring Carlo Petrini, Vandana Shiva and Raj Patel. Re-Localizing food had Michael Pollen on the panel along with Dan Barber and Winona LaDuke. All wonderful and inspiring! On our breaks we walked a block to the Victory Garden which was now set up with Slow on the Go food for purchase and a marketplace. Nate was interviewed for the local news as we were eating our lunch- and he was on the evening news!

On Friday evening we were loaded up onto buses and transported to Fort Mason for the preview of Taste. We stopped and sampled at most of the pavilions: Beer, bread, cheese, wine, ice cream, chocolate, spirits, chartucerie. Unfortunately Dancing Goat Creamery's cheese was not being featured at this time slot but the name was up on the board.

Saturday we helped out Grace and staff from Zingerman's with the Taste workshop - Bounty from the Midwest. Luckily there were lots of leftover cheese, beer, salmon and gelato for us to try. It was great to see our area represented and to see people learning about the things we grow and produce.

Saturday night was another wonderful night. We were treated to dinner at Barb Jenness' son's restaurant in Oakland - Flora. A beautiful space with wonderful food. He even had a Dancing Goat Creamery goat cheese mousse in one of his appetizers. A big thanks to Barb and Jason for their hospitality and for a magical night.

I would urge everyone to try to make it to the next Slow Food Nation. I am not sure when that will be but I will be sure to let you know.










Cheers,

Veronica