The Slow Food USA Blog

Do as We Do: Slow Food USA Staff Write Letters to Congress

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by Slow Food USA staffer Gordon Jenkins

This week, the staff at Slow Food USA’s national office in Brooklyn, NY took ten minutes before their lunch break to sit down and write letters to Congress:

For the next few months, letter writing is the focus of Slow Food USA’s campaign to give America’s children the school food they deserve. Across the country, Slow Food leaders are working with teachers and parent groups to get thousands of letters – especially letters written by kids – sent to legislators’ district offices. At the national office, we thought it prudent to practice what we preach, so fifteen of us put pen to paper in the name of helping schools serve food that’s healthy, nourishing and freshly cooked.

Writing letters is always more fun in groups, and it only takes ten minutes. Some suggestions: get everyone to relax before they start writing (stretching, group howls and the song “Are You Ready for This?” tend to help); read a few example letters out loud; and reward letter-writers with salty pork products. For letter-writing tips, check out the Time for Lunch web site. 

If you’re ready to organize a letter-writing party with your office or at your next PTA meeting, and we’ll share more tips and resources.