Colleen

Why did I want to start a Slow Food convivium?

What to say? I don’t blog. I even had to ask where the word came from. (”Weblog,” of course. Maybe I am the only person who doesn’t know that?) I don’t really know what I’m supposed to write here! It occurs to me that perhaps I should share why it is that I’ve been a member of Slow Food for almost a decade now and why I wanted to start a group here. I was impressed on visiting Columbus when we were considering moving here by all of the good food that was available. Slow Food, for me, is about the pleasures of the table and those around it. Taking your time with a meal is important in so many ways in this hurried time: it has benefits for health and decreasing stress and is a way of therapy via communication.

It is also important to me to know where my food comes from. As Americans, it is common to see a shrink-wrapped piece of meat at the grocery store that has no apparent relationship to the animal from which it came. I was shocked a few years ago when I discovered that my nieces did not know what a head of garlic looked like. I feel that it is my duty to share with them my passion for food so that they will grow up with a healthy appreciation of the food that nourishes them.

So back to the point. I joined the group in 1999 after reading about it in Bon Appétit magazine. At the time there was no Slow Food USA, so the literature I received was mailed from Italy. Some of it was a little academic and dry for my taste, pardon the pun. Still I was behind the basic movement and loved that snail, reminding me to slow down!

We moved to Boston and I was able to be part of an active convivium. I was not a leader but simply enjoyed some of the best times in Boston with SF. I remember one magical summer night with a long table outdoors at one of the leaders’ home. We assisted in creating this romantic table while two chefs were creating a New England feast. It included native bluefish and fresh produce from an organic farmer, who was present, in this lovely setting with candles, torches and lanterns. We also spent hours dining and drinking in the North End at at an Italian restaurant for a Piedmontese meal. We took a trip to Hadley, MA known for its asparagus and joined the farmer and other community members for asparagocentric family-style dinner.

As we are settling in to Columbus I am excited to embark on this journey. We will strive to provide a focus for Columbus’ commitment to food that is “good, clean and fair.” I would like to bridge the gap between those who can afford Whole Foods and those who cannot here in Columbus, and to teach children there are other happy meals besides those that McDonald’s offers. I am not sure how as a group we will do that—yet!

I do not claim to be a strict locavore, all organic all the time, or never to eat a Ho-Ho, which was a treat I enjoyed as a child. However, little by little we can all make a difference in the choices we make and have fun doing it. The joy is in the journey. I hope we can add some joy to yours.