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Story by
lsagar
Published on April 7, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by Gnocchi with Thyme Vinaigrette and Lemon Cashew Cream by Vegan Yum Yum |
Today Lou Sagar, Etsy's resident merchandising consultant and Slow Movement devotee, will tell us a bit of the history behind this growing shift. Slow Food creates a thoughtful intersection between planting, harvesting and preparing an artisanal meal and the craftsmanship behind a thrown ceramic bowl, a roughly hewn oak table and the woven tablecloth that covers it. The end result is a mindful meal that is eco-friendly, sustainable, delicious and distinctly memorable. Here's Lou.
The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity was initially formed in partnership with the Italian region of Tuscany to recognize that the appreciation of cooking and fine foods must include the safeguarding of local farms and the preservation of cultural traditions. What began as a movement focused upon a concern for “terra-verde” (Mother Earth) is now emerging as a global mindset promoting a healthier approach to contemporary living and sustainable values. At its core there is deep admiration for the handmade. In fact, it’s notable that the birthing of this movement took place in Italy, a country which, during the Renaissance, made the artisan noble. The crafting of handmade objects was celebrated. Ceramicists, glassblowers, metalworkers, woodworkers, and goldsmiths were honored, just like we do here at Etsy.
As opposed to the culture of fast food, the sub-movement known as Slow Food celebrates the process of growing and making things as much as it does the end product. This process is an essential part of the story, which enhances the experience. There is respect for materials, techniques, and presentation. Often misunderstood, the first impression of “Slow” is the idea that we one should “slow down,” which is certainly not the intent at all. It’s the added pleasure and wisdom we enjoy when we practice the “art of slow,” which is how I have come to appreciate and share it.
As we all know, the responsibilities associated with our busy lives and work are often hectic and overwhelming. As we move towards spring (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least!), keep “the art of slow” in mind as you celebrate the Easter and Passover holidays later this month. Think global but shop local. Ask local growers to tell you their stories. Use small dishes for tastings. Get the kids out into the garden to feel the soil. Spend a night outside looking at the stars. Most of all, encourage handmade gifts for friends, family, and associates.
Happy spring.
Further Resources:
Green By Design
SlowPlanet
Slow Retail
Slow Food Gifts | Gardening and Horticulture Gifts | Plants and Edibles Category
More Food Posts | More Cooking Posts | More Gardening Posts
Meet some eco-minded Italian artists in our Shop Local Italy post!
74 comments Login to add your own!
thestapeliacompany
This is a unique and wonderful trend; mindfulness in eating and food preparation and Etsy has some wonderful items to bring to the table so to speak. :)
MayaBella
Very cool. I am learning to bake bread from scratch with my daughters and am loving it. The garden is next!
DoubleDippedSweets
This is a great article! Check out the wonderful Edible sellers right here on Etsy!
JustBakin
This is awesome! I love homemade/handmade food....so much fresher tasting......
CarryTheWord
redyellowandblueink
If I click my heels three times will I be transported in front of that dish of Gnocchi? Please?
IceCreamCandy
isewcute
very informative...I'd never heard of this movement before & it's making me hungry!
SimpleTraditions
JonelleLeah
This movement is not only well in Europe, but also here in the States. In Metro Detroit there are tons of people starting to take part in the process of growing, harvesting and serving food. In times of economic hardship, this is one of the best spirit lifters and a great way to bring communities together. Love this article, thanks!
VintageEyeFashion
I started baking my own bread this year. I love the process and the results! Yum!
OffTheHooks
i'm still waiting for the snow to melt, but the windows in my house are full of seedlings- can't wait to get out in my backyard and start digging!
zwyner
jenniferlynnstudio
Can't wait to get back in the garden again!..I love fresh and homemade. That cherry bowl is awesome.
pinkkiss
I just love this movement! Thanks so much for featuring my salt and peppers here:) I'm so proud to be a part of such a cool community!
Waterrose
farmsteadladydesigns
Love slow food...we are still eating canned preserves from our own yard from last season and have begun prepping the garden (which we have expanded) for this years bounty. Thanks for sharing!
DappleGrey
embellishjewelry
jennifersquires
I really believe that this is important, especially if you have children. Kids may find healthy food more enjoyable if they can see how fun it is to grow it. I also think it's important to take the time to enjoy the food you're eating. I see so many people rush through a meal, not speaking a word, because they have so many other things that they think are more important, namely a tv program. At our house we make a point of beginning a meal by toasting to the events of the day (which helps us to maintain a positive outlook), then spend most of an hour seated around the table eating and discussing our lives.
We have our own 4x12 foot urban farm in our backyard that I can't wait to get planted for another growing season.
Thanks for helping to spread the word!
ClassiclyAmber
We LOVE slow food around here - - and are living the slow life!! This was a great article and great picks, too! =-D
niTeBecOmEsdAy
What a great article! I have been very interested in slow food and sustainable eating, so to speak, for some time. I am so very happy that the idea is spreading...
atomicana
andrewsreclaimed
Excellent writeup. It makes me thirst for the natural nourishment these artisans provide!
Fancy0Frances
OMG that gnocci looks soooooo good. I want to take pictures of gnocci now and sell it on my site with my other photos! Anyone want to wear a necklace with a gnocci pendant? Ha! Food IS beautiful and is part of the art of life. I try to say all of that on my etsy spot: Fancy0Frances.etsy.com
xo!
fricdementol
ScottieinaCanoe
enhabiten
Thank you etsy for thinking of topics like this to include in the storque! I think these types of lifestyle issues and choices perfectly complement the choice of handmade.
kathygrech
Thank you for telling everyone about Slow Food. It's such a wonderful movement and in this day and age of a poor economy, to eat local will help our local economies!
WoollyWonka
littlepancakes
neat, I would love to have a muddler. This makes me excited about the farmers market.
bellasparty
Great article. The gnocchi with thyme vinaigrette looks so delicious! I'll get the recipe.
amarshall
We are lucky enough to be living in Sicily, Italy for 3 years & have become accustomed to the slow food life! I get fresh fruit & veggies at the market, meals at restaurants are served on local pottery, bread is baked daily at the panificio, and so on. No more fast food! Slow food rules!
worksandfinds
I like gardening. Tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, peas and peppers and cucumbers.... Yammmi. Now I'm going to be even more concious. I love the slow food idea. Thank you Etsy.
TheCottageCheese
Wonderful article, and such beautiful photographs. I cannot wait to start planting - just a few more weeks until last frost!
IlluminatedPerfume
Very cool! The gnocchi look amazing!!!! Yum.
My organic, botanical perfumes are classified as "Slow Perfume"
:-)
SewnNatural
This is a fantastic theme and Etsy is full of pieces that are made and can be used by people who espouse these values. I think part of the eco/green movement that is spreading is a revival of SLOWING DOWN, thinking about and considering things, enjoying them and embracing connections to nature.
Well done, Etsy admin, for making this a theme.
LabyrinthLeather
I am lucky enough to be living in a community that actively promotes this concept - thanks for the wonderful article.
corduroy
This is such an important movement, and a great article.
Thanks!
Lovely item choices too.
massmans
Thanks so much for featuring my Cherry natural edge bowl. I have a special this month of 20% off all my wood bowls.
Thanks again
lovelygifts
baconsquarefarm
LoveMeKnotCreations
yay! thanks so much for doing an article on food, whoo hoo!!!
recycledwares
what a nice article. can we expand this to transportation too. drive slower, so we can enjoy the world around us. people are always passing me in the highway while i sit back and enjoy the scenery.
kennafoster
Wonderful article-- I didn't know it, but I've apparently been a big supporter of the Slow Food Movement for a while now! ;) Lovely selections to compliment the article too.
pogoshop
What could be better than handmade, homemade, homegrown, anything made with care and love? Great article!
SavonShoppe
Great article...never "really" considered the mindfulness involved in something we do everyday "eat"
Hmmm... the "Art of Slow" I love it.
Furiousdreams
The movement is definitely growing and this is a nicely written article with great links.
Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, with some of the best soil in the world, local farmers are becoming real stars. We want to help promote buying locally (drive less, spend less on gas!) and Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Food Routes, and PASA are just 3 organizations doing that. I'm helping Maysie's Farm Conservation Center in coordinating their internship program. All you potential farmers, c'mon out and meet us!
For anyone in the Philly area, please contact me if you're interested in workshops and seminars to learn farming and gardening techniques.
Here's our calendar: http://www.maysiesfarm.org/saita.html...
CutieDynamite
JMCdesigns
haveitconfections
Thank you so much for focusing on the "foodie" aspect of Etsy. All of us thank you for it.
BlueTerracotta
Excellent article and items! I regularly go to the farmers' market here in France to support local farmers and eat healthy food!! I truly hope the slow food movement becomes a way of life for everyone!
BernardtheBat
I am delighted to see Etsy getting involved in food matters, thanks guys.
I have just released a cookbook called 'Eating Colour', I am offering free samples of the book to anyone who wants it!
Please check it out - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
sandali
There is nothing better than the slow food life -- We have this dish which we call the 'potjie' in South Africa -- where the food simmers up to 6 hours but believe me -- there's NOTHING like this !! There is no traces of 'slow food living' here in Israel, everything seems to be 'chikchak' for them -- great article !!
Happy Days ;)
DownFromtheMountains
Slow FOOD on Etsy! It's about time someone mentioned the significance of handmade food. Thank you for writing about this subject here!
spaceoddities
FluteTeacher
EpicBones
i'm all about the slow movement. i'm in love with the cookbook Nourishing Traditions, but i'm still waiting for someone to come out with a fast/slow movement for artists. an inbetween for people who want to live ths way, but are busy with their etsy stores...
pinpinn
I really love slow food. I'm so excited for our farmer's market to open back up here in a few weeks ^_^ I'm all ready to get the first of the spring crop!
Slow food to me is not only about the local food integrity of a region but also about literally slowing down and making time to eat with family and friends.
KalliopeJewelry
A relevant and wonderful article, with awesome kitchen items!
Growing some of your food saves $, it's healthy, and very pleasurable to sip wine while noshing on home baked bread and cooking fresh garden vegetables, trust me ;)
jmackgems
This post just makes me want to get digging in the dirt! I have an apartment and can really only grow in pots on my deck, but I'm still excited for the herbs (pesto, making sun tea) And of course, can't wait to take care of my tomato plant =)
I think instilling a passion for slow food is SO important, especially now, with obesity and diet-related health problems becoming overwhelming here in the US. Having been raised in part by a grandmother whose philosophy was "pull the beets out of the ground, wash them with the hose, and start cooking them for lunch", I have to say that there is truly nothing more satisfying than enjoying your own home-grown food.
PhineasandLou
Wonderful article...I do think though, that slowing down will comoe out of the slow movement...not necessarily inefficiency, but growing your own or baking your own cookies...it's slower than picking up a pack of whatever and shoving it in your mouth, but tons more gratifying. Cooking and baking with a 6 year old, for instance, has taught me to appreciate how light flour is...it just flies everywhere...it takes a little longer, but the result is worth it :)
enchantingimages
love this. yep it's always hard to slow down being an artist, but it's worth it.
fineartstoneware
THIMBLEandACORN
I love this article. I constantly find myself comparing the handmade movement that is surfacing/resurfacing to the slow food movement which is also becoming again popular. It is nice to see so many people making things themselves and becoming more connected to their food sources!
TheCraftyRagamuffin
Nothing different between growing a carrot and knitting a scarf...although the carrot may taste a little better, but who doesn't like to chew on their scarves now and again? Both take patience and effort and love and learning and both leave you feeling wholly satisfied!
carinissimo
cloud9designstudio
thanks for highlighting this amazing trend toward a simple way of living & eating. kudos. i ♥ slow food.
MiMisJewelryDesigns
Thank you for the support in another forum. Beyond my jewelry, our family has a 300 member CSA supplied by traditional gardens and hydroponic greenhouses. I love to see support for local food in groups not as closely related to food production.
soaps
mossyrockpottery
I like what Lou said here. We all need to find that special "I grew this" feeling as we eat. Or that "I made that sweater that is keeping my loved one warm" as we pelt them with a snowball... It is akin to the feeling a parent gets when they think "That's my child that just did something that everyone is taking notice of".
We have lost touch with these special human experiences and we, as a group of humanity must strive to reconnect with each other and our daily rituals in deeper ways. Such things are eroded by the flashy marketing of international corporations. Etsy isn't about all that.
JazzGreen
patspottery
Just did a treasury on Slow Food and included this link:>)
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php...
RobinMariaPedrero
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