September 13 - Slow Food Saskatoon Event

Food matters. It sustains life and is at the heart of our families and communities. And yet, far too often, we take food for granted.

Slow Food is a global grassroots organizationthat envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet.

Founded in Italy in 1986, Slow Food International now boasts over 100,000 members in 150 countries around the world, including eight Canadian provinces and territories. One of Slow Food’s newest convivia (local chapters) is Slow Food Saskatoon.

“Saskatoon’s food culture is evolving. At one time, it was almost impossible to buy artisan cheese. Now we’re making it right here in our province. We have restaurants specializing in local, seasonal food. We pride ourselves on supplying the world’s population with not only wheat but lentils, mustard and wild mushrooms,” explains Penny McKinlay, Slow Food Saskatoon’s convivium leader. “The time was right to establish a Slow Food convivium in Saskatoon.”

Slow Food Saskatoon is holding its first official meeting from 6:30-8:30 pm on Thursday, September 13 at Mayfair Library. This is a fundraising event to support Saskatoon’s delegate to Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto in Italy in October. We’ll hear about past events, meet Saskatoon’s delegate – Bryn Rawlyk – and compare bread made from heritage Red Fife wheat with standard wheat.

Bryn Rawlyk is a cook and baker. He is currently building a stone mill and a community bread oven. “Growing up on a farm south of Saskatoon, my childhood was full of fresh garden produce, eggs and meat from farm chickens, and fresh honey from my father’s bees,” Bryn says. “Moving back to Saskatoon as an adult, I’ve discovered that in spite of our region’s abundant raw food production, it can be a struggle to find fresh, locally-produced food.”

Terra Madre is a network of small-scale farmers, breeders, fishers and food artisans from around the world. Over 8,000 producers from 150 countries will be in attendance from October 25-29 in Turin, Italy.

For more information, visit www.slowfood.com and www.terramadre.org