Good. Clean. Fair.

Meet-up: Vine Hill and La Honda Wines at Vinocruz

sarah — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:52:37 +0000

Can’t tell a Chardonnay from a Cabernet? Or maybe you want to debate the merits of fining and filtering? Drop in to Vinocruz on September 9^th at 5:30 pm to sample some wines from local wineries Vine Hill and La Honda with your fellow Slow Foodies and learn more about wine and the Slow Food movement!

Thursday, September 9^th, 5:30-7:00 pm

Cost: $5.00 tasting fee for the flight, waived with a purchase of a Vine Hill or La Honda wine

Location: Vinocruz, 725 Front St. #101, Santa Cruz, CA (right behind Lulu’s at the Octagon)

This event is open to the general public, please RVSP by clicking “Attending” on the Facebook event page. No Facebook? No worries, come anyway!

Join the Slow Food movement and become a member here.

A Corn-y congregation of compatriates

sarah — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:07:10 +0000

Film maker Ian Cheney slides down one of the many mountains of corn American Farmers produce each year.

Slow Food Santa Cruz had a showing of King Corn across from the Westside New Leaf on Thursday, 8/10/10. It had a great old school tape reel feeling to it, but the relevance was to the minute as ever. One of the biggest foci of the film is the consequence of industrial agriculture and its cousin, factory farming, both in humanitarian terms and economical terms. The NY Times just released an article on Ohio’s signing of an agreement to phase out factory farming of hogs, hens and veal calves. Ohio is the second largest producer of battery eggs in the U.S.

You can view the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/us/12farm.html?_r=1&sudsredirect=true

Foodies munch on dinner while waiting for the film to begin

California has been the spearhead in these movements towards more humane farming practices, so it only felt right that there should be a group of more than 30 people picnicking on an empty storefront floor on the Westside of Santa Cruz, watching King Corn. Awareness – and raising it in grassroots, creative ways – has been one of the hallmarks of this area. Many people had seen it already but wanted to be reminded of why we make the choices we do. Afterward, the room was filled with speckles of conversation ranging from “ew, gross” to “what else can we do?” and it was easy to see that the catalyst of King Corn had worked quite well.

The film is interesting for many reasons. The factual information is priceless, as is the wonderful ability of documentary film to be able to so seamlessly put together all the pieces of a numbingly complex issue (industrial agriculture.) Another great thing about King Corn is that just when you might be ready to write the two filmmakers, Ian and Curt off as two privileged white guys making a self serving movie, they use just the right amount of reflexive documentation to make you aware that you (viewer), too, need to look inward to understand your part in the process. That takes skill.

One of the paradoxes of living in Santa Cruz, one of the organic agricultural capitols of coastal California is that while there is a heightened awareness of the farm to table connection, there can also be complacency and a false sense that slow food, agriculturally safe food, is the norm here – and everywhere. It’s not. Far from it. What good things are happening here, however, are truly inspiring, and it keeps getting bigger. Just look at the Westside Farmer’s Market! But the conversation, the fire behind activist choices and actions, needs to be stoked constantly. Let’s keep it up!

Slow Food Santa Cruz will be having more showings like this one, so come on down and join the food, fun and facts. Please let us know what you have a hankering to see and discuss by emailing info@slowfoodsantacruz.com. There will be an option to hold an open forum talk about the films (speakers, radio docs, etc.) afterward.

Nearly screening time!

If you missed the movie, here is the website:

http://www.kingcorn.net/

We all Scream for (local) Ice Cream!

jody — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:09:30 +0000

The artisanal ice cream trend has reached a fervor in Santa Cruz! Locals know and love Marianne’s, but earlier in the summer Kelly’s gave westsiders something to scream about. Next came Mission Hill Creamery, found in Fresh Prep on Front St at Cathcart, and available through Santa Cruz Local Foods, with seasonal flavors like peach and blackberry. Now, your Slow Food sleuths have discovered the most recent addition to the frozen-treat family: The Penny Ice Creamery, on Cedar street. I recommend a meal at Limelight Cafe or Gabriella Cafe, and then a skip across the street for an ice cream dessert! The Penny Ice Creamery opens Tuesday August 24th. Tell us what you think!

Slow Down Summer Series Event at Verve: A Success

thomas — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:02:55 +0000

Our July 31 event at Verve Coffee Roasting kicked-off Slow Food Santa Cruz’s Slow Down Summer Series, casual gatherings open to the public to meet, talk about food-related issues in our community and learn something new. A great time was had by all!

Slow Foodies Talking About Coffee and Community Organizing

Verve Coffee Roasters graciously hosted a top-notch Slow Food event! Attendees enjoyed a complimentary cupping (tasting) of unique, personally sourced, fair-trade beans from around the world as they were treated to a mini-workshop on all things coffee.

Cupping Lessons - What to Look for in an Cup of Excellence

The depth and breadth of the workshop was truly amazing! We had an opportunity to get an up-close and personal tour of the roastery next door to the café, where Verve’s artisanal coffee roasters sample and fine-tune each small batch to create their signature roasts and blends.

Colby Talks About the Subtlies of Taste While Jarrod Pours Samples

Colby, the mastermind of the roastery and Verve co-owner, Jared, recently ranked the #2 barista in the nation, and Ian, a barista who offers weekly tasting flights on Fridays, shared their collective knowledge, experience, and passion to elevate coffee brewing to an art.

From the economics and politics of growing, buying and consuming coffee, to the various methods of brewing, and the subtleties of flavor based on terrior, the Verve team enlightened coffee geeks and neophytes alike. They educated us about how we, as coffee drinkers, can each do our part to drink responsibly while subscribing to the ethos of good, clean and fair food–and drink.

Now for the Quiz..Who wants to win a Kazoo

If you missed out on our special event, stay tuned; Verve will be expanding and has plans to offer classes and workshops in the building now occupied by the roastery.

Movie Meet-Up: King Corn

sarah — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:38:35 +0000

Join Slow Food Santa Cruz for a FREE viewing of King Corn on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm! Bring a picnic dinner (including beverages, plates, and utensils), a blanket to sit on (or a short chair), and an appetite for watching an entertaining film about how industrial corn has become the foundation of our food system. Chat with Slow Foodies and learn more about the movement!
Open to the general public, please RSVP by clicking “Attending” on the Facebook event page.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010

7:00 pm – BYO Picnic Dinner

Location – Little City Mercantile, 1010 Fair, Suite I, Santa Cruz, CA (next to Studio 831 gym)

Buzz about Summer Slow Down at Verve!

jody — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:53:16 +0000

Read about Slow Food Santa Cruz’s first Summer Slow Down Event, by local food writer Tara Walker.

Stay tuned for more Summer Slow Down events coming soon!

Summer Slow Down at Verve Coffee Roasters

thomas — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:12:20 +0000

Join Slow Food Santa Cruz for the first of our Summer Slow Down series on the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Verve Coffee Roasters – home to two of the top four baristas is the US!

This will be a casual get-together of Slow Foodies, fair traders, budding barristas, coffee addicts, and anyone interested in learning more about this enticing beverage. Learn about the differences in taste between beans of the coffee growing regions, how small businesses source their beans and what you can do as a consumer to help support sustainable small farms and fair trade in the coffee industry. Attend a complimentary cupping (tasting) of varietals to see how our local roasters craft their custom blends. Learn how to select the best beans for your palette and take home brewing tips from Verve’s award winning baristas to expand your culinary repertoire. Learn how to integrate the Slow Food ethos of “Good. Clean. Fair.” into your daily cup of Joe.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
10:30 am : Gather and socialize
11:00 am : Complimentary cupping in the Roastery next door to the café

Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz, California 95062

This Slow Food event is FREE and open to the general public but space is limited so please RSVP online by selecting ‘Attending’ on our Facebook event! RSVP is requested but not required.

Slow Food members will receive a 25% discount on all drinks and 10% off all coffee beans purchased during this event.

BEE SOCIAL – Bee Talk and Potluck BBQ

donna — Fri, 14 May 2010 04:58:44 +0000

DATE: Sunday, June 20th

CHECK IN TIME: 11:30am – 11:45 am

Bee Keeping Lesson: 11:45 am – 12:30 pm

BBQ, Horseshoes, Bocce Ball, Musical Spoons by Willie Merdcado, and Kids Activities: 12:30pm – 2:00pm

LOCATION: Pacific Crest Apiaries

875 Calabasas Road, Watsonville 95076

“A stones throw from Aptos”

pacificcrestapiaries.com

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED THRU SAT. June 19th

Members
$30 includes 2 adults and 2 children between 3 yrs – 17 yrs old
Individual Adults 18+ yrs old – $15.00

Non-Members
$40 includes 2 adults and 2 children between 3 yrs – 17 yrs old
Individual Adults 18+ yrs. old – $20.00

** Each additional child 3-17 yrs old – $5.00**

Buy Tickets Here!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/112602
Or by making a check out to: Slow Food Santa Cruz
Mail to: Donna Gardner
121 Sunnyside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

“Over 60 years ago, Ed Mumm, Sr. tended his first beehive. Having so many years’ experience might constitute an award for “hanging in there” through thick ‘n thin. For Ed, these days, tending honeybees is like breathing: it just occurs naturally. Of course he does have a schedule, sort of. His schedule doesn’t necessarily include any calendar of the “whens” or “wheres” of keeping our honeybees. I guess you could say that his special schedule is in his heart and soul: it’s a part of his spirit.”

Ed and Dana Mumm have offered their property in the Aptos Hills for this special Slow Food Event. They’ll share their knowledge about how they tend to their Bees, have an exhibition hive, and teach us about being a backyard beekeeper. The worker bees will busy in an area of the property that poses no worries about bee stings!

Slow Food Santa Cruz will provide: Dessert, Ice Tea Lemonade, Ice f0r cold beverages, tables and chairs, BBQue and charcoal, BBQue Utensils

Bring:
· A side dish, wine/beer to share
· Your own food for the BBQ
· Sustainable place ware
· Sunscreen, layers of clothing,comfortable shoes, and a sun hat

Their store will be open. We can purchase their raw honey and beautiful hand crafted 100 % beeswax candles that Dana makes. SlowFood Santa Cruz will also offer books and snail pins for sale

Sorry – NO PETS

Questions – Email Donna Gardner, Events Chairperson, Slow Food Santa Cruz, at donnarosegardner@gmail.com

Grandmother Diane’s Cooking Class Recipe

donna — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:09:40 +0000

Grandmother Diane, Grandpa Gerhardt, Daughter Heidi ,and Grandaughter Shani getting ready to cook together

SPRING ARTICHOKES HEART AND FAVA BEANS

Serves approx. 8 ppl

Ingrediants:

2- 2.5 lbs FAVA Beans - about 2 Cups Hulled Fava Beans – * To hull Fava Beans - Shell the fava beans. Because some people are allergic to the waxy skins of the fava beans, and because they are somewhat tough, you may want to peel the skins away too. They are easily popped off by slitting the skin with the tip of a sharp knife or your thumbnail. Blanching he shelled beans in boiling water helps with slipping the waxy coating off easier.

Artichokes -16 very Small, or 6 Medium fresh artichokes, outer leaves peeled and removed. Snip off 1/4 of the remaining tips with kitchen shears.

**Heidi’s secret- after you peel the artichokes down to their pale greenish yellow leaves, look for color change between yellow and green in the leaves to indicate where to trim the tops off the choke’s inner leaves and then remove purple “hairs” from center of choke with a spoon.**

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

2 Fresh Zested Lemons

2 Cups Vegetable Stock

Water

2 Cloves Gently Crushed Garlic

1/8 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/4 teaspoon Thyme

1/4 teaspoon Rosemary

1/3 Cup Parmesan Reggiano

Fresh Lemon Zest

Lemon Juice from 1 fresh lemon

PREPARE THE ARTICHOKES:

Zest the lemons and set aside the lemon zest.

Quarter the artichokes and soak them in water to cover with the two zested lemons * cut the lemons into halves with a knife, squeeze the juice into the water, and put the lemons in as well. This will keep the artichokes from discoloring.

WHILE THE ARTICHOKES ARE SOAKING,TOSS TOGETHER all the Fava beans with 1/2 cup Olive Oil

PLACE THE ARTICHOKES IN A VERY LARGE SAUTE PAN AND ADD:

Add enough Stock and Water to just barely cover the artichokes
Add Garlic, the Olive Oil that was tossed with the artichokes, and Salt…cover and simmer gently until artichokes are tender.

After the Artichokes are tender, add the Fava Beans and only cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until tender. NOTE, The Fava Beans cook fast!

Add the Thyme and Rosemary sparingly to the Artichokes and Fava Beans as they are cooking. You don’t want to add too much as it will interfere with the delicate flavor of the Fava Beans.

Place the Fava Beans and Artichokes in a serving bowl or on a platter. Sprinkle with the Lemon Zest and Parmesan Reggianno to finish off!

Grandmother Lois, Daughters Nancy and Donna, & Granddaughter Christa cooking together

TLC Ranch Brunch – Slow Food Monterey Bay

allison — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:55:33 +0000

There’s still space at this Slow Food Monterey Bay event on Sunday!

Spring Brunch at TLC Ranch, Aromas

Sunday, May 16th, 2010 10:00 am

Jim & Becky have offered to host a Spring Brunch! Of course we will feature their fabulous and super-healthy pasture-raised organic eggs and pork. Becky has asked that the event be a fundraiser for Mesa Verde Gardens, www.mesaverdegardens.org; they are helping to install gardens at low-income schools and day care centers around the Pajaro Valley, and we think that’s a great idea.

Brunch will include spring vegetable frittata, breakfast breads, a special breakfast sausage, juice, coffee, tea, milk, and (for the grown-ups) sparkling wine. We’re planning a tasting of locally-grown strawberry varieties, and of course there will be a farm tour.

Cost is $25 for adults, $12 for kids, at least $10 of which will go to Mesa Verde Gardens. Limited to 40 guests by pre-paid reservation; receipt of your payment guarantees your space and commitment to attend, as we’ll be preparing food for you. Directions will be sent after we’ve assembled the guest list.

This is an outdoor event, so be sure to dress accordingly and wear sturdy shoes. Please, no pets.

Make checks payable to SLOW FOOD MONTEREY BAY and send via snail mail to our Treasurer:

Lindy Martin
4567 Branciforte Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
For more information, contact: Christy Parker at slowfoodmb@gmail.com

Celebrate Your Mother – Cooking Class with Grandmother Diane

donna — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:40:10 +0000

SOLD OUT
Saturday, May 8

This class will be the first in a series devoted to the culinary and historical legacy of our grandparents. Slow Food Santa Cruz’s vision with these informal classes is to connect with our elders by remembering, recording, and passing on their skills of cooking and preserving.

Grandmother Diane, along with her daughter Chef Heidi Schlecht and her granddaughter Shani, invite you to their Santa Cruz Mountains home on a 7 acre vineyard to cook together and enjoy a spring meal in celebration of our mothers, grandmothers, and our common mother: Mother Earth.

Weather permitting, we will walk their garden to harvest a few nibbles and then come together in Diane’s kitchen to prepare a spring meal. Rebecca King, from Garden Variety Cheese, will also be present. She’s providing her sustainable raised lamb and sheep’s milk cheeses. Diane’s garden and organic produce from the farmer’s market will fill in the rest of our cooking ingredients. Diane will do her magic with teaching us how she cooks lamb, Heidi will make sure we get our vegetables, and Shani will remind us all how important dessert is. After our cooking class we’ll taste our food while we sip the family’s 2007 harvest Pinot Noir. Bring your stories about your Mother and Grandmothers to share as we break bread together.

Chef Heidi Schlect is the co-owner of Feel Good Foods Catering and co-founder of the River Cafe & Cheese Shop. Diane is a California native with a lifelong passion for good food. After spending many years in the food business, Diane devotes several hours each day to cooking and gardening. Shani is eleven and has inherited her love for the being in the kitchen from her grandmother and mother. Life has come full circle, as Heidi spent many years working for her mom and now Diane works cooking for Heidi.

~A list of what to bring will be included when your reservation is received. Directions will be emailed the week of May 3rd.~

sarah — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 04:39:45 +0000

“CULTIVATING A MOVEMENT”

NEW ORAL HISTORY SERIES DOCUMENTS

HISTORY OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIC FARMING ON CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST

A wealth of colorful, informative stories told by dozens of pioneers in the development of organic farming and sustainable food systems in California’s Central Coast region is now available on the UCSC Library’s website at http://library.ucsc.edu/reg-hist/cultiv/home.

Several years in the making, the groundbreaking documentary project includes interviews with 58 large- and small-scale farmers, farm advisors, activists, educators, researchers, policymakers, farmers’-market managers, food distributors, and other shapers of the region’s past 40 years of agricultural history. While the project focuses on developments in California’s Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, many of the interviewees have influenced the movement for sustainable food systems at the national and international level. Organizations represented include the Agricultural and Land-Based Training Association, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, California Certified Organic Farmers, Organic Farming Research Foundation, California FarmLink, the Ecological Farming Association, the Homeless Garden Project, UCSC’s Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, the Life Lab Science Program, and the Wild Farm Alliance.

Interview transcripts, audio clips, photographs, and other resources are available online.

USDA Reaches out to Slow Food Santa Cruz

jody — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:21:54 +0000

Slow Food Santa Cruz was invited to participate in a buffet featuring local foods for 125 USDA employees April 20, 2010 at the University Inn. In addition to hosting a table and educating the federal agency’s staff about the Slow Food movement, Slow Food Santa Cruz facilitated the procurement of the local ingredients in the meal. SFSC was proud to support local farmers and processors and show off the bounty of the Region.

Camille, Jody, Kathryn and Donna at the USDA Grazing Dinner

The USDA staff also attended the downtown Farmer’s Market and enjoyed local foods again at an agency dinner at the Long Marine Lab. Kudos to Donna and team for working two huge events in just a few days!

Slow Food Santa Cruz Goes Wild!

jody — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:20:15 +0000

Sunday, April 18, 2010 found Slow Food members and friends meandering a property in Felton with eyes to the ground. Guided by Darren Huckle, LAc, the group identified, smelled, and (of course) tasted over 30 wild edibles. We discovered a lot of new favorites, including Wild Violet, Wild Onion, Mugwort, Yerba Santa, Sweet Cicely, and Willow. The adventurous even dabbled in Oak Tree Twig tooth-brushing and Ceanothus hand-washing! Darren encouraged us to extend our views on food and food systems to the concept of Slow Medicine and using food to promote wellness.

The Group and Darren, Explaining

Willow Bark and notebook

Trying out nature's suds

After the walk, we harvested Miner’s Lettuce for a salad and enjoyed a picnic on the deck of a 1930s Sears Cabin, decorated for the occasion by Slow Food Santa Cruz Events Chair, Donna Gardner, and Advocacy Committee Head, Tess Cain. Members brought their own concoctions to share, and cups were filled with ElderberryLemonade, Lemon Verbena-Lemon Thyme- Rosemary-Pomegranate Liqueur, and Mate Honey Lemon Tea.

Harvesting Miner's Lettuce

The picnic table, by Donna

Miner's Lettuce Salad

A huge thank you to Allison, Tess, and Donna for making this event so successful!

As a follow up to the event, we’re searching for the best Yerba Buena Mojito. Concoct something delicious and post your recipe!

Baby Yerba Buena

Wild Edibles Walk

allison — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:52:51 +0000

Slow Food Santa Cruz presents

Wild Edibles Walk

with Darren Huckle L.Ac.

Buy Tickets Here!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/105893

Join us for a two-hour exploration of edible wild plants guided by local herbal medicine expert, Darren Huckle. After the walk, we will eat together and discuss more uses of the plants we’ve discovered.

April 18, 2010

Walk: 10am – Noon

Picnic: Noon – 1pm

Location: Felton (location details will be emailed to participants after registration is complete)

$12 Members/$15 Non-members

Only 15 spaces are available!!

Reservations accepted until Saturday, April 17th (or until event sells out!)

Contact Allison Clark with any questions at allison@slowfoodsantacruz.com

Bring:

A picnic lunch for yourself and a beverage to share

Reusable plates, cups, and utensils

Good hiking shoes

Sunscreen

Hat

Layered clothing

Camera and Notepad

Garden Clippers and a Basket for collecting

An open and Inquisitive Mind!

Sorry, No Dogs

We hope to see you there!!

Diet for a Hot Planet

allison — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:11:25 +0000

Join CASFS for an exciting event with Anna Lappe!

n%oqHu!Z4lJM

‘The Garden’ Grows Action

jody — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:14:58 +0000

Slow Food Santa Cruz just came back from the showing of ’The Garden’ at the Rio. After anger and frustration over the loss of the 14 acre urban garden, there is the realization that a larger movement still going on. There were great representatives on the panel after the film, from the Santa Cruz Land Trust and The California Food and Justice Coalition, as well as the organizer of the South Central Farmers, urging us to get involved in the fight for food justice. Slow Food Santa Cruz can work to make our community more just. Attendees at the film were enthusiastic about the potential for Slow Food Santa Cruz to bring attention to, and begin to mend, the food injustices in our area. Join us!

Spring Forward a Huge Success!

jody — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:25:53 +0000

Over 50 people expressed their support for the slow food movement in Santa Cruz this Sunday, at our Spring Forward event. The food was delicious, the wine and conversation flowing. Attendees had a chance to vote on projects they would like to see SFSC focus on this year. These included Slow Food in Schools, a SFSC directory and a Book/Film Club. Check out the fun below:

Cari and Sarah greeted guests as they arrived. Everyone received stickers to place by the projects they were most interested in.

Over 50 people came and enjoyed slow food, and conversations about food, farmers, food policy and upcoming events.

Erin loading pizzas

Sliders, a non-vegetarian option enjoyed by most

Enjoying the sunshine! Check out the wine bar

Spring Forward This Sunday

thomas — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:16:48 +0000

A reminder that this Sunday, March 21 from 2-4pm is our Spring Forward with Slow Food Santa Cruz Open House. Come meet the new Slow Food Santa Cruz Board Members, learn about the events we have planned and tell us what you want to see and do! You can get your discounted tickets online through March 19 or pay full price at the door the day of the event.

Spring Forward with SFSC Flyer

The Garden – Movie Screening and Panel Discussion

thomas — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:47:03 +0000

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Doors open at 6:30.
Film starts at 7 pm
Panel speakers to follow at about 8:20 pm

Rio Theater, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 [Web] [Map]

Tickets: $10 online, $15 at the door

The Garden documents the rise of a lush 14-acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles from the ashes of the 1992 riots. It grew to become the largest of its kind in the United States, only to be threatened with destruction when the property was sold under questionable circumstances.

A panel discussion will follow the movie featuring:

Rufina Juarez of the South Central Farmers, talking about the personal experience of the eviction of the South Central Farmers and what they are doing now

Shereen D’Souza of the California Food & Justice Coalition, talking about model policies and actions that communities are taking to protect land for food production

Terry Corwin, Executive Director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, talking about what is happening in Santa Cruz County to protect farm and garden space as well as natural habitat

Proceeds from the event benefit the work of the California Food and Justice Coalition, which promotes the basic human right to healthy food while advancing social, agricultural, environmental and economic justice.

Organized by the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, and the California Food and Justice Coalition .

Cosponsors: Transition Santa Cruz, Slow Food Santa Cruz
For more information contact casfs@ucsc.edu

We hope to see you there!