Slow Food Bedford

Bringing People Together

Slow Food is a non-profit making organisation 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. The organisation has more than 83,000 members in 107 countries, with 850 conviviums (local groups).

Slow Food Bedford is the 10th largest convivium in the UK. Our main aim is to ‘bring people together’ under the common philosophy of the Slow Food organisation. Our convivium works in the following areas to help producers and co-producers protect our food heritage, embrace the cultures of our area and educate the future generation to a brighter more sustainable future.

Taste

Events to rediscover the joys of eating and bring local producers and co-producers closer together in the pleasure of traditional local products.

Embrace

To celebrate the cultures of Bedfordshire and beyond, meeting harmoniously with friends from our area to compare the diverse cultures that have made their home in Bedfordshire and understand their food heritage. We have a wealth of knowledge waiting to be tapped from Italian, Indian, Pakistan, Jamaica, Africa and, not forgetting, Polsh and East European communities.

Support

The Presidia and Ark of Taste. Visiting and researching local artisan producers and markets to search for new entries for the Ark of Taste and help support Presidia projects around the world and look to find our own Presidia project for Bedfordshire.

Focus

Ideas for the future – educating the next generation through the growth of our membership. Involving our local schools and educating young people on the need for sustainability, giving them an understanding of the seasons. Show them how and what products can be grown in the area such as promoting the Park Wood Local Nature Reserve and Community Orchard (Bedford).

More information: Slow Food Organisation 2008

Slow Food Bedford: Annual Report 2007