Slow Food High Desert is kicking off fundraising efforts to send three Central Oregonians to the bi-annual Terre Madre in Torino, Italy in October 2010. An educator and chef, an organic farmer, and a sustainable agriculture advocate and photographer will be joining more than 5,000 representatives from around the world to connect and share their stories and traditions, as well as their innovative solutions for successful small-scale agriculture and sustainable food production.
Bend, OR, July 1, 2010
This Spring Judith O’Keefe, Slow Food High Desert chapter leader, along with two other Central Oregonians submitted lengthy narratives applications to become U.S. delegates of the fourth Terre Madre summit in Torino, Italy. In the heartfelt writings they each described themselves and their work, their community, and their interest and participation in promoting sustainable food practices locally. And on June 15th O’Keefe, Chef Dave Hatfield of Café 3456 at the Bend Airport, and organic farmer Sarahlee Lawrence owner, of Terrebonne’s Rainshadow Organics, learned the exciting news that they had been selected to be a part of Slow Food USA’s 2010 Terre Madre delegation. The three were chosen from thousands of U.S. applicants to attend the conference, in what organizers referred to as an “extraordinarily competitive process”. October 21st through 25th, they will join more than 5,000 farmers, ranchers, chefs, educators, advocates, students, and producers from around the world to share sustainable growing, producing, and food delivery practices.
Slow Food High Desert, the local chapter of the international non-profit, has committed to raising funds to cover the delegates travel and expenses and is calling on the community to support our representatives.
“Slow Food High Desert is very proud to help send these dynamic individuals to Terre Madre 2010. They will bring back new ideas from their global colleagues and be able to share their High Desert successes with the world.” says Rebecca Warner, member of the Slow Food High Desert leadership committee. “We are planning our second annual August Bounty farm-to-table dinner as a kickoff to the fundraising and are asking members and friends to support our delegates with dollars and donated frequent flyer miles”.
On Sunday, August 15th, August Bounty 2010 will bring more than 75 diners to Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards in Terrebonne for an afternoon feast created with local and sustainable foods from the regions small farms and ranches. Chef Dave Hatfield will be developing the menu and directing work in the kitchen. Cindy Grossmann, owner of Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards, is donating the glorious location and the High Desert chapter is working with many local producers and purveyors to gather the best the harvest season can supply. The three delegates will also be sharing the August Bounty tables to describe their goals for learning at the conference and knowledge they would like to bringing home to Central Oregon.
Slow Food High Desert, the Central Oregon chapter of Slow Food USA, envisions a world in which all people can eat food that is good for them, good for the people that produce it, and good for the planet. The mission of Slow Food is to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. The organization reconnects us with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils, and waters that produce our nation’s food. The Slow Food High Desert leadership is committed to education activities regarding food issues in the region and to help determine chapter goals and activities that uphold the mission of the organization. www.facebook.com/slowfoodhighdesert
Terra Madre is an international conference that gathers sustainable food producers, farmers, cooks, educators, and activists from around the world to connect and share their stories and traditions, as well as their innovative solutions for keeping small-scale agriculture and sustainable food production alive and well. Delegates come from more than 150 countries.
www.terramadre.info
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