source: www.slowfood.com
"Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization with supporters in 150 countries around the world who are linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment.
A non-profit member-supported association, Slow Food was founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.
Today, we have over 100,000 members joined in 1,300 convivia – our local chapters – worldwide, as well as a network of 2,000 food communities who practice small-scale and sustainable production of quality foods." (Slowfood.com)
While fast food has dominated American food culture for the past few decades, the outcomes from its consumption are problematic. Affordablity, convienance and appealing taste are all factors in the rise of popularity of fast food but obesity, environmental impacts and unwanted aggressive globalization may led to its fall. Although it began in Italy as a reaction to the expansion of the McDonalds corporation, the slow food movement is quickly asserting itself into American popular culture. Slow, home-cooked meals and shopping at farmers markets are the antithesis of the fast food industry and are habits that have an up-hill battle to fight against the ease of the drive through. But the concern with fast foods negative aspects surrounding health is leading many to consider investing more time and money into the food they put in their mouths.Voting with your dollar is an important aspect of the slow food movement. Purchasing ingredients over fully prepared meals to cook and eat becomes a political act within American consumer culture. Every meal is a chance to participate in and shape the culture, either through fast food or slow food.
How does this movement for "slow food" relate or compare to the movements of past eras that we've discussed this semester?
Consider the following: Feminist movement, Black Power movement, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Aztlan Chicano movement
