Gardens contribute to food sovereignty in Africa

Slow Food chapters around the world are embarking on an ambitious project: creating 1000 food gardens in 20 countries across Africa.

Slow Food members from all parts of the globe are partnering with African communities in order to cultivate more sustainable and healthy regions. Slow Food USA encourages you to get involved, as several chapters in the US already have. 

Want to learn more? Here’s what Samuel Muhunyu, one of the people most responsible for getting the program started, had to say about the genesis of the gardens and the impact they’re already having. We’ll continue to tell the story of how Slow Food members are making a difference with this program through our blog. More contact information and web resources at the end of the post.

More after the jump

High School Students Lead Summer Learning on Food Justice

For the young organizers of NY2NO, food is a vehicle for youth empowerment, building a critical political analysis, and social change.

School’s out—but the high school students and recent grads of New York 2 New Orleans Coalition (NY2NO)—a youth-led organization—won’t be relaxing. They’ll be leading 7 brigades of their peers through Food Justice Summer Part II—a service learning program that takes teens to urban farms and community organizations in New York and New Orleans.

You learn more when you’re engaging in something… by learning how to grow food on a farm, you also learn about the system and different approaches to changing it. —Katelyn Montalvo, 17, organizer

NY2NO’s work to engage others in learning about food relative to social, racial and economic injustices is both inspiring and relevant. Just consider this:

By 2023, a majority of Americans younger than 18 will be of color while the majority of retiring baby boomers will be white.

In 2007-08, about 12.5 million (17%) of youth ages 2-19 were obese—of which 38% were from low-income families.

Nearly 60% of low-income youth are of color (Latino, black, or Asian).

These realities have important policy implications.  According to USC demographer Dowell Myers, our nation’s dependence on an increasingly diverse workforce means we can’t afford underinvestment in “someone else’s children”. Healthy low-income communities and communities of color are vital to America’s economy.

More after the jump

A food fight is always more fun with friends

Thank you to the more than 1,000 “Snail pals” who donated to become members during our June campaign!

Thank you to the more than 1,000 “Snail pals” who donated to become members during our June campaign!

Here at Slow Food USA, membership really does matter. Individual donations make up 75% of our annual budget, so your generosity is absolutely critical for national campaigns that help Americans eat better and connect with where our food comes from.

Slow Food USA is truly grateful for your support of this movement in any and every way – whether you’re donating money, signing a petition, or giving your time to a local project.  After all, a good food fight is always more fun with friends! 
Thanks for being a part of it.