8. Slow Food

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Slow Food is an international non-profit organization linking ethics with pleasure, or ecology and gastronomy - ecogastronomy. Founded in Italy in 1989 by Carlo Petrini as a response to the negative impact of multinational food industries, there are now thousands of members in over 80 countries, divided into groups called 'convivia' of which Slow Food Blue Mountains is just one. As taste must be taught, each convivium should create a school garden, as part of a worldwide project with schools to bring edible gardens and taste education to children. Slow Food is about using local seasonal produce, supporting our small producers, restoring time-honoured methods of production and preparation and sharing food at communal tables. Slow Food encourages environmentally sustainable production, ethical treatment of animals and social justice. Slow Food members seek to defend biodiversity in our food supply, to better appreciate how our lives can be improved by understanding the sensation of taste and to celebrate the connection between plate and planet. Some of our activities include the following:-

CHESTNUTS IN THE MIST- slow seasonal celebration from March to the end of June, this 'celebration'  is designed to promote chestnuts in our region ... collecting, processing, roasting, enjoying chestnut inspired fare are all part of this, helping locals and visitors alike use and appreciate this fabulous local food.

BLUE NOSE WINE DINNERS - held every season  at different venues. 

HONEY BEE HIGH TEA - at the Gardens of Karlyle, Woodford.  Learn all about backyard beekeeping from Lyle Clinton and then be treated to a honey-inspired High Tea.

KITCHEN WORKSHOPS

Our restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the villages help give the Blue Mountains a special feel. A number display artwork by local artists and offer menus borrowed from around the world. They are popular meeting places and important to the culture and economy of our region. Slow Food Blue Mountains coordinates KITCHEN WORKSHOPS in some of the local restaurants and cafes. Watch a signature dish being cooked; learn a few cooking tips from the chef and then sample the dish!

Join Slow Food Blue Mountains, become a Supporter (which is free) find out more about us, or simply tap into local events! E: jcahill@ncc.com.au  Ph:4782 7376.

Blue Mountains FRUIT and NUT TREE NETWORK

We are developing a network of fruit and nut growers and expanding lists of fruit and nut trees grown in the Blue Mountains on both public and private land. The register was initiated by Slow Food Blue Mountains to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, skills and produce associated with fruit and nut tree growing. Cittaslow Katoomba Blue Mountains now also fosters this project as it so closely aligns with the cittaslow principles.

(See the attached form to register your interest, inform us of a tree or to offer skills or knowledge.)

The network promotes information and organises activities to assist in:

� sharing surplus produce;

� sharing of knowledge about local fruit and nut production;

� developing links between growers and value adders;

� preventing the loss of old varieties of food-producing plants.

The network has distinct lists of:

� fruit and nut trees grown in the Blue Mountains;

� local fruit and nut tree growers who are prepared to share their surplus;

� people with special skills in growing and making things from fruit and nuts;

� those wanting help in collecting, storing and preserving the produce.

We have developed a protocol for the lists, including protecting privacy where requested. The list of fruit and nut growers prepared to share surplus produce is limited to gifting or in-kind exchange (such as fruit now for jam later).

Commercial growers are invited to register details of what they grow and where. Everyone organising workshops is encouraged to use our network for promotion.

Cittaslow and Slow Food Blue Mountains preserve and promote local food culture, biodiversity, and taste education. Both organisations are continually organising activities involving chestnuts, fruit growing, jam making, field visits, and workshops, such as cutting for propagation onto rootstock.

Long-term goals include growing, harvesting and distributing more food throughout the mountains. Collecting information on the foods being produced and consumed for analysis will help us to plan to improve local food production.

An initial map of some fruits on public lands in the Blue Mountains is at Chekhov's Three Sisters Second Hand Books, opposite the Katoomba railway station, 84 Bathurst Road. Frans Timmerman generally opens the shop at 10.30 am and works through till 6 pm everyday except Mondays (4782 2235). This map will be revised once we have more plants and people on our register. You can read and/or pick up notices about the fruit and nut network there too.

For more details ring Anitra Nelson on 4782 9003 or email:

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This retgister is now also a project undertaken by Cittaslow so see the Produce and Products page under Projects.

2010 - A special year planned for Slow Food Blue Mountains... Check the menu attached and join us with family and friends.

Extra!

10th Anniversary of the Greater Blue Mountains beng listed as a World Heritage region. Isn't it time you joined Slow Food to celebrate our wonderful world with wholesome food and good company?

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