Up until rather recently, I didn’t realize that there was a whole philosophical movement behind eating food. Eating food is political whereas I once thought it was just a matter of finding the best deal. I used to go to the grocery store, buy what my family needed to eat, and voila–it was a done deal. I really put very little thought into my food other than which spice might taste better.
Little did I know I was missing a whole political statement to be made. While the two movements, locavores and the slow food movement, aren’t linked per se, they are rooted in some similar beliefs and should you go to a feast featuring either theme, you will likely be eating the same dishes.
Locavores
Locavores, are people who only eat locally grown food. Generally, a locavore will limit his product consumption to those foods that have been produced within 100 miles of his house. Doesn’t sound so hard does it? That’s what I thought. So I made a list of every single thing that I ate including the two tablespoons of sugar (I know–I like very sweet coffee) that I had in my coffee yesterday morning.
Then I went to the 100 mile diet map to see what was within 100 miles of my home. Immediately I saw a problem–no sugar. My beloved coffee would have no sugar. Some how flavoring coffee with honey or vanilla. . .just sounds bitterly unsatisfying.
But in all seriousness, eating locally has several advantages for everyone. It supports your local farmers and your local economy. Not to mention the fact that eating locally is environmentally friendly.
The Slow Food Movement
The Slow Food Movement is as much a political statement as it is a way of eating. It is, as the name implies, a reaction against fast food. In their philosophy statement, Slow Food International says that they believe in “good, clean and fair food.” This translates into food that is as fresh as possible (therefore tasting better); food that is produced without harming the environment or animal welfare, and food that is produced where food workers are fairly compensated for their efforts.
At the core of the slow food mission is encouraging local food traditions and in so doing encouraging local eating.
So go on, give it a try. Find a local farmer’s market and cook a meal entirely out of local food sources. . .from scratch! If you do, let me know how it turns out by leaving comments below!
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