What is Slow Food?

Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. Slow Food advocates good, clean and fair food for all.

Good:
The word good can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Slow Food, the idea of good means enjoying delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals. The pleasures of good food can also help to build community and celebrate culture and regional diversity.

Clean:
When we talk about clean food, we are talking about nutritious food that is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies. It is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.

Fair:
We believe that food is a universal right. Food that is fair should be accessible to all, regardless of income, and produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

 

What is Slow Food Bluegrass?

Slow Food Bluegrass is an all volunteer local chapter of Slow Food International. We seek to carry out Slow Food’s mission of good, clean, and fair food for all, here in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Slow Food Bluegrass supports the activities and education of like-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations.  Food is a part of our daily lives and is central to our culture and celebrations.We encourage the community to get involved with Slow Food by bringing good, clean, and fair foods to their tables.

Slow Food Bluegrass Programs

Agri-Wishes

Agri-Wishes purpose is to fund, support and build a thriving local farming community in Louisville and the surrounding Bluegrass region; implement programs to promote agriculture and other land based traditions in Kentucky; and educate consumers about the cultural, nutritional and economic benefits of buying locally produced food and agricultural products.

By fulfilling the wishes of local farmers, we will accomplish:

  • • Strengthen Kentucky Agriculture and Farming Culture
  • • Help to Preserve Small Family Farms
  • • Prepare and Provide Assistance for Future Agricultural Challenges
  • • Provide Access to Capital to Kentucky Agricultural Producers
  • • Educate and Build Community Around Locally Produced Food

Any small-family Kentucky farmer may ask for a “wish” in any amount from $250 to $5000. Each wish will be reviewed on a case by case basis ad granted depending upon the availability of funds, which is administered by the Slow Foods Bluegrass Board. Access to capital, plus professional development provided by Slow Foods Bluegrass and its partners, ensures that farmers and ranchers can provide a constant and growing food supply to Kentucky and the region.

Farmers are limited to one wish per calendar year and two wishes within a three year period. Farmers must complete a “Wish List” application. Check back in October for an application.

Slow Food Bluegrass Garden Grant

Slow Food Bluegrass and the Kentucky School Garden Network are very pleased to announce the Slow Food Bluegrass School Garden Grant. The Grant is a total of $5,000 distributed over 3 years to be used to support a school garden project in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. To be eligible for a Garden Grant, an applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or nonprofit k-12 school that is developing a school garden project that will help children engage with fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay tuned for the next application due date.