Contact
If you are interested in joining the Slow Food Santa Cruz Board or in working with us on a project or event, please email us at info@slowfoodsantacruz.com.
If you are are a local business or organization interested in partnering with Slow Food Santa Cruz on a project or event, fill out our Partnership Form, Slow Food SC Partnership Form or our Event Promotion Form, Slow Food SC Partners Event Promotion and email it to partnerships@slowfoodsantacruz.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
2011 Slow Food Santa Cruz Board
Allison Clark – Chair
chair@slowfoodsantacruz.com
As the Chair of Slow Food Santa Cruz, Allison Clark strives to connect the dots in our local food system. Allison’s interest in food and its origins started early – at age 8, she announced to her family that she was becoming a vegetarian! Her passion for Good, Clean, and Fair food grew as she learned about the connections between the environment, food systems, and health. As a Nutritional Sciences undergraduate at UC Berkeley, she recorded oral histories of farmers’ market pioneers and wrote her thesis on the scientific backing (or lack thereof) for the 60-day rule for raw milk cheese. After a brief stint on a permaculture farm in Costa Rica, Allison moved to Italy to complete a Master at the University of Gastronomic Sciences. Inspired by Europe’s rich food culture and eager to bring her experiences with Slow Food Italia back to her hometown, Allison joined Slow Food Santa Cruz in 2007. She currently works for CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and spends her free time exploring the food landscape of Santa Cruz and beyond in the kitchen, the garden, and the community. She’s looking forward to expanding the local food movement with Slow Food Santa Cruz’s Stirring the Pot series this year!
Jody Biergiel – Vice Chair
vicechair@slowfoodsantacruz.com
It was satisfying to develop some foundational tools for SFSC in 2010. We stayed active in the community via events each month, while also forming bylaws, updating the website and creating marketing tools such as a logo and market banner. With these tools in place I am excited for the 2011 Board to hit the ground running, increasing the buzz about Slow Food in Santa Cruz and working more with existing food organizations to increase our influence on slow food access and education in Santa Cruz. Partnering with existing organizations such as SC Farmer’s Markets, UCSC Farm and Garden, CAFF and Second Harvest to increase our reach, as well as with restaurants and other food purveyors who embody the Slow Food mission. I would like SFSC to host a movie or lecture series about slow foods in our county and in the US. I would also like to see a comprehensive web resource for locals and tourists to find slow food growers, makers and sellers in SC County. I am organized and helped focus the Board during meetings in the last year to get the most done with limited resources. I will continue to encourage the 2011 Board to be realistic about what it can do and to involve more member-volunteers to help us reach out to a broader community.
Joelle Heidinger – Membership Chair
membership@slowfoodsantacruz.com
Air. Water. Food. These three components are all vital ingredients necessary to generate and maintain life on Earth. Among these three, food in particular has become a foundation for numerous cultures, traditions, and problems (blights, wars, illnesses, etc.). Food and its production have ultimately helped forge out individuality and individual cultures by becoming the cornerstone of what defines a country/society, region, family, and person. Unfortunately, not all food production or foods are made with the intent to maintain the health of the consumer or the environment. As a result, the health of those who consume these foods can suffer, and the environment on which we depend is being damaged for future generations due to irresponsible land stewardship and concern. In addition, as the food industry has grown there has been an increasing disconnect for many consumers in their knowledge about where food comes from and the price that is paid by the growers, producers, and the environment. This trend has led to a society in America where when asked where a food comes from they reply “a can, a box, or a grocery store” as opposed to “the soil, a tree, or a farm”.
I would like to serve on the Slow Food Santa Cruz board because I believe strongly in the importance of making sure that all individuals have equal access to food that has been responsibly produced and will help maintain the health of the consumer and the culture of which the food is associated. I believe that there needs to be a larger societal emphasis on developing a food system that is built upon a solid production foundation where it can responsibly provide whole nutritious food for all members of our communities while also allowing for unique food culture to be maintained and to grow. If provided the opportunity to serve on the board I feel I would be able to help the Slow Food Movement grow locally by helping educate the community about the importance of making informed decisions about deciding what and how we eat.
My top priority for 2011 would be to bring the discussion and importance of consuming/providing nutritious responsibly produced food to as many in the Santa Cruz area as possible. As with most other movements, I think the first steps for 2011 would be to continue to reach out into the community to educate and communicate the Slow Food message whenever possible. Despite the Slow Food Movement having so many strong objectives I feel that it still seems to lack a large mainstream following and recognition. I would like to assist SFSC in bringing the Slow Food Movement to the forefront of discussion and thought especially to those who know the least about where their food comes from and how it impacts their health and life. If allowed to serve on the SFSC board, I would prioritize my time, effort, and interests to the requirements of the position of Membership Chair, and ultimately help assist the board/group in achieving the needs/goals of the chapter.
Throughout my life I have always had a passion for the food industry and for all things related to food. I was raised in an agricultural community in Central California where I witnessed first hand the trials and tribulations a community can experience while trying to produce fruits and vegetables on a large scale. In addition, my mother was a food scientist for a local nut, coffee, and dried fruit company while I was young. During my childhood, I frequently went with her to her work where I spent my days playing amongst the roasting nuts, roasting coffee, and packing of dried fruit. I observed the pleasure obtained when people came to purchase and eat these wholesome products, and as a result I ultimately developed a lifelong passion for food, and knowledge about the importance of food for people’s happiness and health. Building upon these childhood experiences, I decided to obtain my Master’s degree in Food Safety Microbiology at U.C. Davis. Following my schooling I was fortunate to be able to obtain a position in the food industry and am currently employed by Earthbound Farm in San Juan Bautista, CA as the Organic Integrity Manager. My position has allowed me to continue to learn about the intricacies and practices of a large food company, and has provided me an amazing opportunity to learn more intimately the details and benefits of organic production for our society. Ultimately, I feel that my lifelong passions for healthy food and lifestyles, my education, and my personal background would be a useful attribute and provide a distinct perspective for the SFSC Chapter board.
Rany Prambs – Partnerships
partnerships@slowfoodsantacruz.com
As an advocate for real food for our food system my emphasis also encompasses on good, clean and fair purchasing ethics that I incorporate in to my weekly shopping. My background is corporate hospitality within the realms of the culinary field.
I felt very honored to be asked to become a board member at SF-SC with my passion for real food and the ability to communicate responsibly, I thank you all. For Slow Food Santa Cruz I bring with my European training, knowledge, passion and experience to apply to the goals to the Slow Food Mission, to be part of the growing foodie movement supporting the local economy – for good, clean, fair – food and environmental justice.
Building connections and “partnerships” throughout the community promoting local businesses, generating exposure for those businesses through our tools and resources of SF-SC. Also “outreach” to liaise with expert guests & speakers to have them connect and extend their services to the Slow Food Mission of the Santa Cruz chapter.
Currently for “partnership,” I am creating a SF-SC members loyalty benefit card connecting with businesses and informing our members of good, clean & fair business practices, from restaurants, cafés, organic breweries, wineries and the list is growing, which will be available soon to all our members. Each business will permit 10% discount at each visit from their establishment or offer a “happy hours” system.
My task for “outreach” is based on educational and informative value. To enlighten members, non-members & guests with information of the issues & concerns for and surrounding food and environmental security, in a nutshell- the Farm to Fork practice. This task will be performed through outreach, to liaise and invite key experts from, grass root movements- organizations, speakers, chefs, farmers and various other businesses that are all supporting good, clean and fair practices. These hand picked presenters will share or present power points, demonstrate, speak, talk at the dinner table or offer tours. This feature will enable us to broaden our knowledge and embrace on many of the interesting current food and environmental related matters. These forms of conversations will often enable us to be exposed to the bigger picture, at the same time informing and educating one, also makes good conversational piece with other friends or colleagues. Conversations can inspire a member to even create a volunteer system for a cause; you may have an idea for an event that you may wish to pursue under the Slow Food umbrella. Monthly topics are varied may include raising backyard chickens, how to start an Eco Garden, Water Conservation, Farm Worker Rights, School Lunches, Book Club. You may even find constructive solutions and achievable goals that can perhaps be facilitated back at home, business, farm, and garden or even in an office environment too. However if you are looking to come to socialize, enjoy dinner & discussion only – that’s great too, you’ll still walk away with feelings of empowerment, made at least 1 friend and feel very happy. For that reason every month we will invite you to come & join us for our “Stirring the Pot” – casual dinner & discussion around our table(s) – events will be held at local businesses, various establishments or farms.
On a personal note I’m also currently writing a book for children that relates to our food system & the connection to the environment. I’m a firm believer in empowering children with the basic knowledge & tools for a cleaner & healthier food system.
I enjoy bringing focus to cooking from scratch. Utilizing everyday ingredients and where much of my produce is purchased at my local farmers market supporting the local economy, keeping my food source well within the 100-mile radius. I avoid genetically engineered ingredients, by constantly checking ingredient labels at my local store also asking the right questions at the Farmers Market too.
If you would like to contact me, to be considered for partnering or for an outreach opportunity with SFSC you can find me on Facebook, Linkedin or please email me.
Kim Sammet – Secretary
secretary@slowfoodsantacruz.com
The revolution begins and ends with Food! My philosophy is completely in line with Slow Food’s Mission. And, I want to engage in effecting the mission locally in Santa Cruz County. Food is my passion, and I am enthralled with the natural cycle from food sheds to table and back. Food lies at the base of all issues facing our world, health, wealth, environment, social and economic systems. Clean, healthful, intentionally grown and naturally derived food ensures a healthy, happy and thoroughly enriched community. I look forward to being a leading member of an organization that promotes these tenets in our community.
Although past efforts of SFSC are unknown to me, I plan on organizing a Farmer’s Market program with Kathryn Lukas. We hope to bring local luminaries in the fields of ecology, farming, food production, and food economics as well as local chefs to the Wednesday Santa Cruz market for a chautaqua of sorts, a demonstration and celebration of local seasonal food.
My jill-of-all trades skill set is suited to plug into a wide variety of duties and responsibilities from brainstorming, creative ideating and solution making, to good old fashioned know how of getting the job done. I have worked in the natural food industry for 15 years as a food broker/sales rep, which has created many contacts in the natural food world. I recently wrote, directed and completed a trailer and promotional package for a television show concept, The Counter Culture Kitchen Show. We are currently marketing this show to television networks. During the development of the show, I researched food systems, chefs, farms, restaurants, food education and activism. I am an active gardener, great cook and have always believed in creating beautiful and delicious food based on the principals of Slow Food.
Cameron Speir – Treasurer
treasurer@slowfoodsantacruz.com
I am interested in serving on the board of Slow Food Santa Cruz because SFSC and the Slow Food movement in general offer a great opportunity to help people, the environment, and our community be a lot healthier. I grew up in a farming community and recognize the impact (good and bad) that agriculture can have on communities. Plus, I love to eat fresh, local food.
My top priority for Slow Food Santa Cruz in 2011 is to continue to be an educational resource for people who want to learn more about food that is grown where they live. This includes connecting producers and consumers who share the same values when it comes to food and creating a forum for all of us to get together and enjoy some great food.
I have a professional background in the economics of agriculture and fisheries. Also, I grew up in a farming community and worked on a fruit and vegetable farm for many years. I’m a bit of a “numbers guy” so managing SFSC’s finances as treasurer is good way for me to help contribute to the organization’s mission.
Kate Purcell – Events
events@slowfoodsantacruz.com
My interests stem from early childhood experiences growing up on a family farm in Connecticut. The magic of the natural world and the pride of harvesting home grown vegetables profoundly influenced my passions in life. I value people, the outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. Growing up with the pace and activities of farm life gave me a taste of what is now called an “alternative lifestyle”. I believe that we all need to slow down and reconnect with what’s real in our lives. I believe our fast paced lifestyle is making us sick and depressed. I am committed to reconnecting my community to healthier foods and to the food traditions that connect us to our histories, our land and to each other.
I am excited about the Santa Cruz Chapter of Slow Foods because it is different than other chapters I have known. The young board with professional goals in food justice is inspiring. Santa Cruz itself is full of young folks interested in healthy living. My top priority would be to raise the profile of SFSC and create events and opportunities that would bring new diversity to the chapter. In turn our message and values will be shared widely in the community.
My college experience is in sustainable agriculture and horticulture. I have over twelve years of professional experience in gardening, garden-based education, community organizing and environmental conservation. My work experience has developed my skills in event management and volunteer coordination. I believe these skills would be a perfect match for the Slow Foods Board of Directors. I will bring dedication and enthusiasm to the position.
Rosemary Quinn – Communications Co-Chair
comms@slowfoodsantacruz.com
I would like to be a board member of Slow Food Santa Cruz to be a part of an international movement at the local, community level and to help translate the vision of the Slow Food movement to fellow members of my community. My top priority for Slow Food Santa Cruz for 2011 is to clarify Slow Food’s mission and values for the Santa Cruz community and to foster inter-community awareness of our local food shed and local artisan food producers through outreach and networking opportunities. I will bring my experience in marketing, event promotion and social media, as well as my commitment to food justice and passion for sustainable food.
Mailing Address
Slow Food Santa Cruz
P.O. Box 7225
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
