Slow Food Austin reconnects people with the food they eat. Our
educational initiatives, social activities, fundraising events, and
community volunteer projects inspire respect for where food comes from
and awakens true pleasure in eating. To learn more about Slow Food
Austin and become a member, visit our website!
|
|
|
Welcome to our monthly newsletter.
April showers were supposed to bring May flowers. What happened?
To my recollection we didn't get a drop of rain in April. We've also had some record breaking hot days.Spring is shaping up to be a little more challenging than expected for local farmers, food producers, and consumers like me and you (gas prices are outrageous). I must say with the recent tornadoes, floods, and wildfires around the country, I am grateful to only have dry heat to contend with. When I reflect on how tough this summer is shaping up to be for crops and food travel, I am grateful for our robust local food community that is poised to handle these challenges gracefully.That being said, our farmers and food artisans need our help. When growing food and bringing it to our plates is going to be harder than expected, it is our responsibility to step-up and rally as a food community to support our local food system.
As my dad used to say when the fresh made biscuits and gravy were ready to devour: "get while the gettin's good."Before everything withers in the heat, take advantage of the spring bounty and support your food community. Now is the time to sign-up for that CSA you've been contemplating. Today is the day to buy that fundraiser ticket or donate online to the local organizations that keep the local food system healthy.This week is the perfect week to go to the farmer's market and spend a little of your "lunch money" on a delicious meal from local vendors and farmers.
We know there are many food events competing for your time this spring and we encourage you to fill your calendar with as many as you can stomach!Some of our great events to attend:
- Our 3rd Thursday happy hour will be at Springdale- a hip, urban, and beautiful farm.
- Our slow sessions are on the 2nd Monday of each month and offer an indoor alternative- they are all about learning new things about the food you eat.
- Save the date: Quiz Bowl: Aug 14th, 2011. Intrigued? Stay tuned for more information.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with board responsibilities, don't hesitate to email me! We are currently interested in adding a volunteer coordinator to our board and looking for someone to take on this new position.
Sara Weber
President- Slow Food Austin |
|
|
Slow Session: The Science of Bread Making
Date: Monday, May 9th
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Habitat Suites, 500 East Highland Mall Blvd, Austin, Texas 78752
Please RSVP: anneh@slowfoodaustin.org
Bread comes in thousands of forms, from fluffy brioche to dense Armenian lavash. They all begin the same way - a mixture of milled grains and liquids. But it is how we combine these basic ingredients that results in a bread with big airy crumbs or a heavy compact consistency.
In this Slow Session we will explore the science of bread making with CIA trained baker and Slow Food board member Hannah Casparian. This is an excellent opportunity to perfect your bread making skills and expand your knowledge of the basics such as bread leaveners, gluten development, and rising times. You also get to sample some of the breads discussed and we will end with a Q&A.
This event is free and open to everyone in the community. Please send an RSVP to anneh@slowfoodaustin.org |
|
May Happy Hour: Springdale Farm
Date: Thursday, May 19th
Time: 6pm until sunset
Location: Springdale Farm, 755 Springdale Road Austin, Texas 78702
RSVP: karlal@slowfoodaustin.org
 You are cordially invited to join Slow Food Austin for our monthly Third Thursday Happy Hour at Springdale Farm. Owners Glenn and Paula Foore will show us around their beautiful urban farm that is sure to be looking gorgeous. Guests will be able to sip on spririted creations from Garrett Mikell of Peche, courtesy of local distiller, Treaty Oak and wines from one of our generous local distributors. Tantalizing treats fresh from Springdale Farm will be served up al fresco by Brandy Gibbs owner of Fine Home Dining. We hope to have music and will share more details when that is arranged.
We ask for a $15.00 per person donation which will cover beverages, food and music.
Please note: This is a family friendly evening so children get in free.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit Slow Food Austin to support our local programs.
Lawn Chairs, bug spray and blankets encouraged.
Hope to see y'all there!
|
|
Thunderheart Bison Ranch Overnight Farm Tour and Cook-out
Date: Saturday, May 21st, 2011
Location: Thunder Heart Bison Ranch, South Texas
Slow Food Austin has organized a trip to Thunder Heart Bison Ranch for a face to face encounter with the American Plains Bison. The bison is one of the animals listed in Slow Food USA's Arc of Taste. Only endangered foods outstanding in taste, sustainably produced and culturally significant make it on this list . Hugh Fitzsimmons of Thunder Heart is one of the ranchers that has spear headed the reintroduction of the American bison onto America's plains.
Shape Ranch, the home of Thunder Heart Bison, is located about four driving hours from Austin, about 20 miles outside of Carrizo Springs South of San Antonio. To cut down on the driving as well as to make our farm tour more enjoyable and special, Hugh has very kindly invited us to stay overnight in his guest house on his ranch.
The guest house contains four double rooms already set up with linens, a common area as well as a fully equipped kitchen. Sorry, no internet access out there. Due to the accommodations as well as the on-site transportation this farm tour is limited to eight participants. We ask for $60 per ticket to cover the costs of the accommodations and a take home sample of the ranch's fare.
|
|
A Matching Grant for the Sustainable
Food Center
We need your help to continue this important work, and right now, Still Water Foundation will match your gift to SFC up to $25,000! The caveat? These funds MUST be raised primarily via social media - so please help spread the word in ways like forwarding this email to a friend, posting on Facebook or sending the link via Twitter.
Find out why we're already $10,000 closer to our goal HERE!
Help our small team of dedicated staff and our ever-growing team of volunteers continue this important work and reach even more people who need and want our services. Please donate to the Still Water Match and double the impact of your gift to Sustainable Food Center today! After you give, be sure to share the news via Twitter or on your Facebook page, to help us achieve this $25,000 goal by May 12th on the evening of our Farm to Plate fundraiser! |
|
FoodThink Book Club
How our food is made, where our food comes from and what our food does to us, taps into a lot of the pressing political issues and challenges of the 21st century, like peak oil, globalization, illegal immigrants and worker's rights, environmental and health issues.
This book club is dedicated to reading and discussing the work of authors that write about food and whose books relate to political issues of our life time. To join and for more information, go to: http://www.meetup.com/foodthink/
Upcoming Events
June 19th:
Four Fish by Paul Greenberg |
|
Slow Food Austin's mission is to educate our community about where food comes from and how it influences quality of life. Sometimes when I hear about the tragedies happening all over the world I want to do more to help others. I have realized that sometimes the easiest way to help the whole world is to have a positive influence on the people closest to me. Share a meal with someone today!
We try to keep you informed about other food happenings in town but if we are missing something that is coming up and you think our newsletter readers should know about it, please send Katie Lopez an email. We may not be able to include everything (because Austin is a food-busy town) but we'll do our best. Thanks for reading our newsletter! Sara Weber
|
|
|
|
|
