The Slow Food movement, Italian mothers and love for Mother Earth

 

International movement for sustainable farming, organic food, respect for nature and green living, has its roots in Italy.

Italian mothers are the pillars of the family. They also seem to run the country since every Italian man defers to "Mamma" when there are important decisions to be made. There is definitely a tie between the awe of the Madonna (the symbol of perfect motherhood) and the reverence for mothers in Italy.

This reverence and respect extends to La Madre Terra (Mother Earth) as well. Italians have a way of living with nature and observing all its signs. The (mostly organic) farmers still plan their activities around the phases of the moon, the feel of the earth, the smell on the wind and the other many signs Mother Nature provides. Food in Italy always has the freshest of tastes. Wine terroir remains fundamental to the types of grapes grown in Italy. It has, after all, taken thousands of years of traditions to 'get it right.'

Perhaps this is why the Slow Food movement, a world-wide organization for sustainable farming, organic food, respect of nature and green living, began in Italy. This movement is based on a total love for Mother Earth. Here is a quote from their home page:

"Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people's dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

To do that, Slow Food brings together pleasure and responsibility, and makes them inseparable.

Today, we have over 100,000 members in 132 countries."

Imagine that. A movement started in 1989 because an Italian man, upon descending the Spanish Steps in Rome, found himself in front of a MacDonald's and exclaimed, "Basta" (enough)! An organization that "brings together pleasure and responsibility and makes them inseparable" in a very loving way could only have its origins in Italy.

In the United States Slow Food is headed by chef Alice Waters, a pioneer in getting schools to organize sustainable gardens for students. Waters was also a key player in convincing the White House to start a sustainable garden on the premises.

I have been a member of Slow Food for years. They have saved Heritage Turkeys in the U.S. and have played a significant role in helping farmers in developing countries. There are slow food conviviums in most major American cities. You too can express your love for La Madre Terra!