May 2014 Newsletter

In This Issue

Join the Slow Food Movement!
We invite you to join the Slow Food movement! Slow Food Orange County is working hard to preserve and protect local foods and food traditions. Our convivium plans events and programs in places across Orange County-anything from community gardens, taste education dinners, and farm tours-join the network and become active in planning and participating in these diverse initiatives. Click here for Benefits of Membership, here to join, or send us an email if you have questions.

Chair's May Message

Dear Slow Food OC,

On the Slow Food USA website, is a page titled Stories from a Slow Food Nation. This page is a landing point to collect stories told by people in this country "who keep food and farming strong." The stories feature everyday people keeping traditions alive and are meant to inspire others to celebrate or create their own food culture. Members are encouraged to submit their own stories. As I read the stories, I thought of food culture developing in Orange County and I wanted to share a few of these stories that have been part of my personal experience.

First SFOC Snail of Appreciation

Slow Food Orange County's new Snail of Appreciation program honors local restaurateurs, culinary artisans and CSA producers (community supported agriculture) who exemplify the principles of Slow Food and contribute to the quality, authenticity, and sustainability of food in our community. Vitaly, which is located at the The Camp in Costa Mesa is the first restaurant to receive this award. The Snail of Appreciation recognizes efforts of owners Maurizio and Barbara Cocchi of Bologna, Italy to ...

Legislative Updates

Nationwide, May has been a good month if you're an advocate for GMO labeling. Vermont's Governor signed into law a GMO labeling bill that will require products containing genetically modified ingredients in Vermont to be labeled as such starting in July 2016. However, it appears that GMO producers will file a lawsuit against Vermont. Two counties in Oregon passed GMO labeling laws. The counties, Jackson and Josephine, are in southern Oregon in the Rogue Valley region. According to ABC News accounts, "based on recent Oregon legislation, Jackson County's ban, which attracted national attention and money, will have the force of law, but Josephine County's ban appears headed for a court battle."

Book Club Meeting

Date: Friday, June 6th

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Laguna Beach

Members and non-members welcome

The May book club meeting will be in Laguna Beach in June. The book is Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing by Anya Von Bremzen.

RSVP to Diana Tierney at diana.tierney3@gmail.com

Huntington Beach Food Swap

Date: Saturday, June 7th

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Huntington Beach

Members and non-members welcome

A Food Swap is part silent auction/part village marketplace/part fun-loving open house where your homemade creations (breads, preserves, special concoctions, canned goods, etc.) become your own personal currency for use in swapping with other participants. What better way to diversify your pantry and network with like-minded friends and neighbors?

NOTE: You must sign up prior to the event. You may use this link to put yourself on the list.

You will also find additional details about the event when you sign up.

San Diego Farm Tour

Date: Saturday, June 7

Time: 9 am to 3 pm

Location: San Diego County

Members and non-members welcome

This is a fun event, not to be missed! Be sure to get your tickets directly from the San Diego Farm Bureau ASAP, because it does sell out.

If you would be interested in a vanpool or carpool we're organizing for the Ramona tour (Tour B), let us know via Eventbrite.

Slow Food Orange County Needs You

We are looking for active participants for our Events and Outreach Committees. No experience necessary, just a desire to effect positive change in our community and, of course, a hearty appetite for good food!

EVENTS COMMITTEE: Want to share ideas on how to promote good, clean and fair food? Then take the lead on one specific event or volunteer for the day and help out. To get involved, email Linda Elbert at chairone@slowfoodoc.org.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE:

Thanks to all the volunteers coming out for Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum! The Outreach Committee is looking for Slow Food Ambassadors to join our team and help share the Slow Food experience with our community. If you feel comfortable mixing & mingling, meeting new people, and would like to share your connection to good food, join our Ambassador team! We'd love to have you. Contact Gillian Poe for more information at gpoe@ocfoodaccess.org.

Like Us? Check Out Our Facebook Page!

Please, go "like" our new Slow Food Orange County Facebook Page to keep up on the latest news and events if Facebook is your social networking site of choice!