World Fair Trade Day

by Slow Food USA Intern Melissa Rosenberg

World Fair Trade Day is just around the corner, on May 9th.  The festivities will begin at first light, with a single drummer in New Zealand, and end in Samoa at last light. Initiated in Tanzania in 2001, the celebration has evolved into a 48-hour global event. The day is a tribute to the people and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of producers, consumers, and the environment.

Here in the U.S. the theme is “Everything is Better When It’s Fair.”
Indeed it is: not only does Fair Trade provide fair wages for farmers, and a healthier future for our planet, but also more flavorful products for us to enjoy. 

Across the country, thousands will unite to take a Fair Trade break. The more the merrier! Meet up with people in your neck of the woods to savor a cup of Fair Trade coffee, and help surpass last year’s world record for the World’s Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break. And if coffee isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry, you can still join in. Raise a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade made with Fair Trade sugar, or snack on some homemade brownies whipped up using Fair Trade chocolate and vanilla.

This is just a small glimpse of the day’s revelry; to find out about breaks and other activities scheduled in your community, or to learn how to organize your own, click here.

If you are a student, and want to get involved, click here for resources and a Student Action Guide.

Discovering Ramps

Something there is that doesn’t love a ramp.

I moved to New York City from San Francisco in January.  Shopping predominantly in farmer’s markets, I went from a world of fresh citrus and glorious greens to a diet of nothing but root vegetables.  Don’t get me wrong, I love root vegetables (and hot house greens on occasion) but I have been yearning for something fresh, local, and colorful.  This weekend, ramps answered my prayers.

I had no idea what a ramp was until last Saturday when I stopped by my first of three farmer’s markets.  Walking through the crowded paths, I heard couples  literally exclaiming to one another ‘Look!  Ramps!  It’s spring!’  Like the robin, the ramp seems to be nature’s way of telling North Easterners that warmth is on its way.

A ramp is essentially a wild leek - with garlic and onion undertones and a nice musty flavor.  A large bunch cost $2 to $3.  Farmer’s gladly sold them to me with a smile of pride like a new parent.  ‘They grow wild by my stream’ one woman told me.  ‘They’re only going to be here for four more weeks - then they’ll be gone again’ another warned with a hushed voice.  Since first discovering this lovely root, I have gone through four bunches - sliced and fried with greens and all.  They have appeared in nearly every meal I’ve cooked.

So, welcome spring!  And welcome new and green foods into my diet!

Ramp Recipe: Ramp Pesto
by Executive Director Erika Lesser

photo by Niemster, from flickr Creative Commons