Episode 19: Slow Food International Elisa Demichelis - What Is The Slow Food Movement?
Release Date: 08/21/2024
Food For You and the Planet
David Finlay is the owner and co-founder of The Ethical Dairy which he co-founded with his late wife Wilma. David Finlay is renowned for his innovative and sustainable approach to dairying. As an early adopter of organic farming, he has led the movement in Scotland and the UK, integrating agroecological practices, renewable energy solutions, and forward-thinking dairying systems, such as cow-calf contact dairying. His commitment to sustainability is evident through his work on soil and pasture management, wind turbines, and biodigesters, winning him multiple accolades, including the...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen, is Co-Author of the EAT Lancet Commission, an agricultural economist and Head of Research Department 2 "Climate Resilience" at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Professor of Sustainable Land Use and Climate Change at Humboldt University in Berlin. Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen grew up on a farm in Northern Germany and studied Agricultural Sciences and Economics at the University of Kiel and the University of Reading in England, where he graduated with a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics. For his doctoral studies he studied in...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Tim Fink is the Vice President of Policy at the American Farmland Trust. Tim develops the American Farmland Trust’s overall policy direction and strategies and coordinates federal and relevant state policy work in close collaboration with American Farmland Trust national initiative leaders, regional directors, and partners. Before joining AFT, Tim was the director of research and policy analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, where he advocated for increases in USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, fundraised for the National Academies'...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager at Federation of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) Organisations. Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager for the Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FoWO). Her journey with WWOOF began in 2021 as a WWOOFer. After transformative experiences on organic farms in Denmark, the Netherlands, and the US, Chloe was inspired to share the WWOOF experience with others. She started sharing about her experience on social media, which led to a connection with the WWOOF Canada team and an opportunity to become more involved...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Arthur Haines is a Senior Research Botanist at The Native Plant Trust. Arthur is a plant biologist specializing in the taxonomy and identification of New England tracheophytes. He is the senior research botanist for Native Plant Trust and author of Flora Novae Angliae published by New England Wild Flower Society and Yale University Press, and several other books, including Flora of Maine, A New Path, and Ancestral Plants (a two-volume set on edible, medicinal, and useful plants). In addition to his work studying advancement in plant systematics, Arthur is an administrator for the Go...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association. Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Sally McGee is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives at the Nature Conservancy and Leader of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition. Sally McGee works for the Nature Conservancy where she is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives for the Global Aquaculture Program. Her areas of focus include the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, Sustaining Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), and projects focused on seaweed cultivation. Sally also developed, owned, and operated an oyster farm, Sixpenny Oysters, in Noank, Connecticut. Previously, Sally was TNC’s...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Abby Barrows is the Owner and Operator of Deer Isle Oyster Company and microplastics research scientist. Abby Barrows grew up and currently lives on an island off the coast of Maine. The ocean has been her passion driving her personal and professional path. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Philosophy in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic. Directing microplastics research since 2012, she initiated the first baseline data map of microplastic pollution distribution in Maine. She concluded her work as the Principal Investigator...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Michael Mazourek, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Horticulture. Michael Mazourek, PhD, is the Calvin Knoyes Keeney Associate Professor of Vegetable Breeding at Cornell University. Michael is a breeder of peas, beans, squash, cucumbers and peppers and has released numerous cultivars and breeding materials that are shared by small, regional seed companies and incorporated into breeding program of the world’s largest seed companies. Michael’s specialty is biochemical genetics in vegetables; he explores the...
info_outlineFood For You and the Planet
Karen Mapusua is the President of IFOAM Organics International. Founded in 1972, IFOAM Organics International is a membership-based organization working to bring true sustainability to agriculture across the globe. The mission of IFOAM Organics International is to lead change, organically. Its goal is the broad adoption of truly sustainable agriculture, value chains and consumption in line with the principles of organic agriculture. Through its work, it builds capacity to facilitate the transition of farmers to organic agriculture, raises awareness of the need for sustainable...
info_outlineElisa Demichelis is the Global North Director of Slow Food International.
Elisa Demichelis serves as the Global North Director at Slow Food, where she leads initiatives to promote sustainable food systems and biodiversity in Europe, North America and the Pacific. With a background in languages science and international relations, Elisa has dedicated her career to fostering local food traditions and advocating for food sovereignty. Her leadership at Slow Food emphasizes community engagement, education, and collaboration across borders to achieve a more equitable and sustainable food future. Elisa is passionate about creating synergies between diverse food cultures and advancing the principles of the Slow Food movement globally. Elisa has been working with Slow Food since 2008, starting serving in the position of network coordinator for English-speaking countries (support the creation and development of Slow Food networks, coordinate various projects and initiatives within the territories, and manage their participation in international events). The role then evolved into the Global North Director at Slow Food.
Slow Food is a global movement of local groups and activists united by the common goal of ensuring everyone has access to good, clean and fair food. Founded in Italy in 1986, we are now active in more than 160 countries. We cultivate a worldwide network of local communities and activists who defend cultural and biological diversity, promote food education and influence policies in public and private sectors.
TOPICS EXPLORED
0:00 – 2:00 – Introduction
2:00 – 2:51 – What is Slow Food International and what types of work does it do?
2:51 – 4:39 – How did you become interested in food and agriculture?
4:39 – 6:14 – What is the Slow Food movement?
6:14 – 8:19 – How did Italy become such a critical hub for the slow food movement?
8:19 – 9:55 – What is the history of Slow Food International?
9:55 – 12:06 – How is Slow Food International structured and how does that influence the way the organization works?
12:06 – 14:37 – How does Slow Food International engage with different stakeholders such as individuals, institutions, and chefs?
14:37 – 17:23 – What is a Slow Food Presidium?
17:23 – 19:16 – What are other ways Slow Food International preserves biodiversity?
19:16 – 20:52 – What is the Ark of Taste?
20:52 – 22:42 – What are some of the ways Slow Food International works with activists to shape policy?
22:42 – 23:51 – What are ways the average person can help support the Slow Food movement?
23:51 – 26:25 – What are some of the most exciting Slow Food movement examples of producers and local food systems that you have found most inspiring?
26:25 – 27:56 – Things to share and wrap-up
SLOW FOOD INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
Slow Food International: https://www.slowfood.com/
RESOURCES
Slow Food Presidia: https://www.slowfood.com/biodiversity-programs/presidia/
Slow Food Ark of Taste: https://www.slowfood.com/biodiversity-programs/ark-of-taste/
Slow Food Ark of Taste Database: https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/
Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance: https://www.slowfood.com/biodiversity-programs/cooks-alliance/
Slow Food Travel: https://www.slowfood.com/biodiversity-programs/slow-food-travel/
FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1
RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss
Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet
TAGS
Food
Environment
Health
Podcast
Sustainability
Agriculture
Slow Food
Slow Food Movement
Slow Food International