As Dr Massimo Bernacchini , the National Adviser for Slow Food Italy pointed out, the Slow Food Movement (SFM) is a movement which derives from a producer’s point of view and not from that of a consumer’s, referring to the case of the Organic Food Movement as an example -discusses Shaza Saker on the theme of Slow food.
Slow food as per definition is, “Slow Food is delicious, nutritious food that is produced in an ecologically sound and economically just manner, with equal regard for culinary art, the environment, humane animal treatment, and the right of producers and workers to be fairly compensated.” Hence, the SFM aims at promoting food, not for the mere production of it, but with a deeper aim of preserving its heritage.
Contrary to common belief, this movement is gradually being adopted in less “elite” areas. In the less fortunate areas, the movement support the idea of “food sovereignty” which is defined as the people’s right to local consumption and promoting traditional food products with a more specific aim to raise local awareness of the importance of eating local food.
Slow Food began in 1986 when Carlo Petrini, a journalist, staged a successful protest against plans to build a McDonalds on the Spanish Steps of Rome
The SFM is not yet adequately represented in the NEN region. However, in Morocco there are clear signs of acceptance. The Slow Food Foundation (SFF) visited the isolated areas in the Rif mountain areas, where they learnt of the “Zerradoun Salt”, which the local women collect by evaporating the salty water emanating from the springs from the rocky valleys in Morocco. However, more work is required in this area (as well as others) to promote and aid the local communities and ensure that this tradition is maintained and sustained. There are clear signs of support from the Moroccan Ministry of Trade in collaboration with a number of other associations to improve the commerciability and help with the transportation of this product.
Petrini founded Terra Madre in 2004 to help bring Slow Food in line with its mission of supporting food that's "good, clean, and fair”.
A new program of Terra Madre, "A Thousand Gardens in Africa" was presented this year. The work will start with countries that have an existing relationship with Terra Madre, including Kenya, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Ethiopia, Senegal and Tanzania. Once established, the gardens will spread to other countries, expanding the Terra Madre networks.
