Comments LaurieO has made

too old

I tried to sign up on the first day, and was told that I wasn't in the demographic you were looking for.  Even though I wasn't interested in prizes, the message that I got was bye-bye, Granny.  I'm glad that you're making this more clear now, but it was offensive to the, ahem, age-challenged.On Join new climate-action Facebook application, win rewards posted 9 months ago 2 Responses

No whales here

Hello?  There is nothing in the article about eating whales.  Slow Food promotes reviving heritage breeds of domestic livestock, ones that can be bred humanely and sustainably in natural conditions rather than crammed into buildings and feedlots at factory farms.  It's admirable that you have chosen vegetarianism, but you read the article wrong.On Savor your flavors with the slow-food movement posted 2 years, 5 months ago 4 Responses

Good, Clean, and Fair

That phrase from Carlo Petrini's subtitle sums up the Slow Food philosophy best.On Savor your flavors with the slow-food movement posted 2 years, 7 months ago 4 Responses

time and availability

Yeah, the wine did throw your argument, but moving past that...

What this shows to me, more than price, the issue is time.  Eating local on a budget in this place and time requires careful planning and often a lot less meat that most people are accustomed to.  People who have children and/or have to work more than one job have a real problem with the time and availability issue.  

I'm lucky to have an 8-5 M-F job and I can go to the farmer's market every Saturday with a list for the week ahead and find everything I need (maybe not WANT) locally.  Our local co-op carries some local meats, milk, cheese, and eggs.  By the way, I'm an hour away from Chapel Hill in Greensboro.

With careful planning and a small backyard garden, my husband and I eat locally and well on a small budget.  But I have the time and mental energy to work on it.

Finally, with the fast pace of development taking over our farmland in this part of our state, as in most growing areas, I don't see more local farms in our future unless the citizens see the problem and are willing to work to preserve even what we already have.On Locally grown food shouldn't be just for those with cash to spare posted 3 years ago 10 Responses

slow food

It bothers me that Slow Food may be getting a bum rap.  Slow Food is doing much to raise awareness of local foods and yes, Slow Food USA groups DO have programs to work with lower-income groups.  As Tom mentioned, Slow Food New York sponsors community gardens, and the Slow Food DC listserv reports many initiatives that work with lower-income groups.  If Slow Food makes local heritage food trendy, so what?  It makes the issue of the importance of locally, sustainably raised foods attractive to a group of people who would never have given it a second thought before.  It works at the consumer level as well as the farm level.

As for those who say they can't afford food other than McDonald's, I'm sorry, but I've been in your shoes, and I just don't buy that argument.  I can eat much more cheaply by preparing my own food than eating fast food.  Education and prioritizing your time and money is the key.  I began by substituting one organic item at a time at the grocery store, and learned how to shop efficiently.  It does take planning and thought, but it can actually be fun if you take on a positive attitude about it.  Slow Food doesn't have to be expensive or take long and laborious preparation.  It is more of a way of thinking about life than a way of eating.On To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll need to make some fundamental changes. posted 4 years, 1 month ago 26 Responses