SLOW FOOD SSU

Wrap-up of National Food Day

2011-11-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

On Monday, October 24th, the SSU Slow Food Club participated in National Food Day by celebrating with local ingredients from the beautiful Sonoma State Environmental Technology Center Garden. Students, faculty, and staff came out to enjoy a lunch of creamy goat cheese polenta served with kale and chard harvested from the ETC Garden moments before being sauteed with caramelized onions and garlic.

We all gathered around an electric stove, smelling the tantalizing aromas from the wilting greens, which sparked the imaginations of our salivating taste buds, eagerly anticipating the lunch cooked by Ivan Redus, a local cook who works at Shimo in Healdsburg. Amongst the chatter between students, faculty and staff alike, there was a certain sense of solidarity, which was reflective of a nationally organized event taking shape in grassroots movements across the country. It felt empowering even on a scale as small as our event to be a part of a movement that was being cooked up across the U.S. These meals brought together Americans from a multitude of backgrounds- from students and teachers to health professionals and chefs, all who were present at our event. The premise of Food Day is to demand healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. It is a right that we all deserve, but it is one that needs to be actively pursued and fought for. As individuals, our collective diets make up the food system, so if we conscientiously ascribe to a food philosophy that we envision America adopting, we will gradually make this a reality.
By making a scrumptious local and organic meal together, we are on course to eating our way to changes in America’s food system. Moreover, we signed a petition to our Members of Congress to support the Eat Real agenda of Food Day:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms and limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment and animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers

October 24th 2011 Fall Harvest Lunch

2011-10-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

2010-10-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

Sonoma State Farm Stand Now Operational

This year slow food was able to work with Sonoma State dining services and get a farm stand on campus. The Farm stand happens once a week on Wednesday from around 11:30am to 2:30pm in front of the Stevenson stairs. The stand offers local fruits and vegetables from around Sonoma county. Currently it is only selling fruits and vegetables, but hopefully not to far in the future it should have local eggs, breads and pastries. It has been a slow start but it is slowly growing.

2010-06-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Garden Work Day

Sunday June 6th

9.30a - 12p

Slow Food Plot in the garden by the ETC

Come out to the garden tomorrow if you're in town and willing to bear the heat.

This last week we were able to get all the compost and make some messy looking beds. Tomorrow we are going to straighten them up and plant the rest of our starts. We will also work on the drip system to make sure it's ready to keep all of our delicious fruits and veggies watered.

Bring your sun hat, sunscreen, a snack and water. We'll bring the tools. :)

Fresh, a film by ana sofia joanes

2010-02-20T22:41:00.000-08:00

FRESH - movie

free showing!

Wednesday, March 17th

7pm

Library 2nd Floor (media area)

Room 2015

"FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system"

http://www.freshthemovie.com/

Garden Work Day 2/26

2010-02-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

First garden work day of the semester. Come out and join us as we will work on the Slow Food plot and enjoy great company!

Where: ETC Garden, Slow Food plot

When: Friday, Feb 26th 10am-12

*Hard rain cancels but not drizzle!*

Garden tools available, but remember to wear close-toed shoes and appropriate clothing in case of rain!

Looking forward to seeing you there!! Also, if you can't make it out this this one then no worries! We will have many other opportunities throughout the semester.

PS- many ENSP & Bio professors give credit for coming out to garden work days so remember to ask and receive some academic credit

Happy Holidays to All

2009-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hello folks!

Hope you all are keeping warm with the colder weather and keeping dry with the rain coming in (Yay, it's about time!). The semester has come to an end and we thank you all for your continuous support and encouragement. We have some exciting activities already planned for spring semester so keep posted! We will be having movie nights, pot lucks, garden work days, general meetings, and other events in and around the community. As always, if you have any questions or would like to learn more about Slow Food SSU then feel free to e-mail us at: slowfoodssu@gmail.com.

Happy holidays- hope you all have fun, keep safe, and enjoy some really great food!

Free Movie Night!

2009-11-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

FOOD, INC.

Thursday, Dec 3rd @ 7pm

Schultz 2015B (Second Floor Library, Multi-Media Area)

How much do we really know about the food we buy & serve to our families? Food, Inc. takes an in-depth look at America’s food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy & workers’ rights

General Meeting

2009-11-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

SSU Slow Food General Meeting!

Nov. 12

7p.m.

SSU - Commons

Supporting Good, Clean, and Fair Food

Anyone and everyone is welcome to partake in the meeting.

This is a good way to get involved or just to learn what Slow Food is all about!

Thank you!

2009-10-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you all those who came out to Good Eats & Music last Sunday!! Though the weather was not ideal, the company, food, and speakers were great. Thank you for participating and joining us to celebrate good food and great company!

Good Eats & Music update

2009-10-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

*Devour a locally-sourced lunch* *Relax on a campus lawn*

*Enjoy music and distinguished speakers* *Meet new friends*

It's all happening at Good Eats & Music on October 11 at Sonoma State University!

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon on campus. You'll hear from guest speakers including CA Assembly Person Noreen Evans, Slow Food USA President Josh Viertel, Sonoma State University President Dr. Ruben Arminana, and author Mark Arax. Enjoy the musical entertainment of local bands *Open Market *and *Blue Shift*, and learn more about local Slow Food projects from volunteer leaders.

There are two ticket options:

Attend the entire afternoon (12-5pm) and pay $38 - students pay $25

Attend only entertainment and speakers (2-5pm) for just $5!

*Purchase your tickets today at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/80256

If attending the lunch, please purchase tickets no later than October 5.

We hope to see you on October 11!

Good Eats & Music!

2009-09-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Sonoma State University student-chapter of Slow Food USA will host a Slow Food regional event featuring speakers, a locally sourced lunch and live music on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from noon to 5 p.m. The event site is the campus “Pond” area.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate life’s greatest pleasures and necessities — good food, good music and great company.

In addition to great food, there is a great band scheduled to play during the wine and cheese mixer, along with the two bands playing after the luncheon: The Easy Leaves, Open Market, and Blue Shift. The event is open to the public and will include a wine and cheese mixer, a presentation of local Slow Food chapter projects, and the opportunity to hear from distinguished guest speakers: Josh Viertel, the Slow Food USA President, Dr. Ruben Arminana, Sonoma State’s President, and Mark Arax, Noted Author of “West of the West; Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in the Golden State”.

For more details and to purchase tickets please go to: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/80256.

Time for Lunch- Potluck//Eat-In

2009-09-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

Slow Food at Sonoma State University Presents

Time for Lunch

Potluck // Eat-In

To support the campaign to get real food into schools! Come have a good time while demonstrating the need for more money to go to school lunches. Bring friends, lovers, family members, and a little sumpin sumpin to share.

Live Music Barbecue Volleyball

Labor Day, September 7th

12-4PM

Valley End Farm

6300 Petaluma Hill Rd.

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

As we know, children who grow up enjoying food that is both delicious and good for them learn healthy eating habits that last throughout their lives. By giving schools the resources to serve real food, we can make sure that the legacy we’re leaving our children is a future filled with opportunity, security and good health. But to make that happen, our leaders in Congress need to hear that when it comes to our children and the legacy we’re leaving them, change can’t wait. School lunches are woefully underfunded, which makes it difficult for schools to provide healthy lunches to children. This is unacceptable. *That’s why Slow Food USA is organizing a National Eat-In on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2009*. On that day, people in communities across America will gather with their neighbors for public potlucks that send a clear message to our nation’s leaders: It’s time to provide America’s children with real food at school.

Cook Food Using the Sun

2009-05-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Cook food using the sun

...in 8 easy steps

Might as well utilize our free natural resources. The Museum of Science and Industry has composed a quick and easy process to cook food with the assistance of household items. Not only is this method simple and resourceful but it's also fun and a good learning experience! So...what not? Cook Food Using the Sun!

2009-05-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

INTRO TO PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP

Sunday, May 17, 2009, 10am-4pm

Meadow View Elementary School

2665 Dutton Meadow, Santa Rosa

$30-60 sliding scale. Please bring your own lunch.

Experienced instructor Kyle Collins will cover:

Permaculture Design Process
Companion Planting
Perennial Polyculture
Sheet mulching/Soil Building Strategies
Building an herb spiral

RSVP Now! 707-571-8868, jenna@conservationaction.org

FOOD INC MOVIE

2009-04-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Watch the trailer for Food Inc. Coming to theaters June 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQVll-MP3I

Directed by Robert Kenner, Produced by Eric Schlosser

With insights from Michael Pollan & others

2009-04-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Food Forum featuring author Wendy Johnson was a great success! Thanks to all for attending and to those extra special folks who helped to set up and clean up afterwards. Also, thank-you to Frederique for the soil demonstration and the fascinating close up view through the microscope. Wow, amazing.

HOW TO GROW SPROUTS!

2009-03-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

SUPER EASY!

Click here to check out a YouTube video on how to grow sprouts in your kitchen.

new lambs

2009-03-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

At the movie night I was called back home to help with the successful delivery of our new lambs. As promised here are a few pics. Ferdinand and Fin were born on March 3 at 7:20PM. The barn pics are from the night they were born and the pics of the gang out in the pasture were taken a week later.
- Carleen (www.weirauchfarms.com)

Salad Garden Project Photo Update

2009-03-06T16:31:00.001-08:00

clearing all the weeds from the area, preparing beds, planting seeds and starts

CALIFORNIA STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY COALITION

2009-03-05T12:51:00.000-08:00

The California Student Sustainability Coalition unites students, campuses, and campaigns from across California to transform our educational systems into models of sustainability. It is their mission to unite and empower the California community of higher education to collaboratively and nonviolently transform ourselves and our institutions based on our inherent social, economic, and ecological responsibilities.

General Inquiries, Questions, and Comments: info@sustainabilitycoalition.org
To Submit News, Calls to Action, or Job Opportunities: news@sustainabilitycoalition.org
To Submit Events to the Calendar: events@sustainabilitycoalition.org

EAT THE VIEW

2009-02-24T06:33:00.001-08:00

Eat the View is a campaign to urge the Obamas to plant a large organic Victory Garden on the First Lawn with the produce going to the White House kitchen and to local food pantries. Eat the View is coordinated by Kitchen Gardeners International, a Maine-based 501c3 nonprofit network of 10,000 gardeners from 100 countries who are inspiring and teaching more people to grow some of their own food.

Eleanor Roosevelt during WWII had a food garden at the White House. During WWII 40% of our produce came from Victory Gardens. It is time to create more support for local gardens and what better example to have one at the White House.

Learn more and sign the petition at http://www.eattheview.org

JOIN THE CLUB STEERING COMMITTEE

2009-01-30T19:48:00.001-08:00

This semester we vote in a new leadership team! President, Vice President, Secretary, Communications & Programing Director are all positions that will need to be filled by the end of the spring semester. Start thinking about yourself in a leadership role. Its fun and is a great networking tool for off campus opportunities like internships and employment. Remember: Slow Food is an international organization with a wide variety of roles for scientists, educators, planners, farmers, chefs...etc. Lets keep this club going. Our club "meetings" will take place at the end of the three FOOD FORUMS on our calendar. At these meetings decisions are made about projects both on and off campus and it is also when voting takes place. See calendar to the left for FOOD FORUM dates, times and locations.

GARDENING OPPORTUNITIES

2009-01-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

This semester we have THREE (!) gardening opportunities:

Slow Food SSU Community Salad Bowl Garden Project workday this Sunday, May 8th from 12-2 assuming the weather is clear. Our bed is located just west of the ETC building. Come check it out and follow our progress. Also a few of us are meeting casually in between classes on Wednesdays from about 12-2PM for mini garden tasks. Feel free to drop on by.
ETC Garden Friday workdays with Frederique Lavoipierre, Department of Biology Masters Candidate. Time: 10-2, on Feb 20, March 20, April 24 and May 8
The church on the corner of E. Cotati and Snyder is interested in starting a community garden! This is an opportunity to really grow a lot of vegetables for you, your friends and family. If you, or anyone you know is interested in getting in on this community project please direct them to Frederique. Here is her contact info: Frederique Lavoipierre Masters Candidate, Department of Biology lab tel: 707-664-2977 (no voice mail) 707-829-0751 (home)

SLOW FOOD COMMUNITY GARDEN PILOT PROJECT - SPRING SEMESTER

2009-01-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

We are starting a semester pilot project utilizing one of the beds in the ETC Garden. Would you enjoy getting your hands dirty periodically throughout the semester? We need some volunteers. NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. This will not require any long term commitment, just communication about when you can join us as the project progresses.

TO DO LIST

Create garden info signs and handouts
Paint donated garden bench to reflect the vision of the garden
Seek out donations: seeds, plant starts, and drip line irrigation suitable for our project
Plant seeds in seed trays for starts
Prepare soil as necessary
Plan out garden bed layout

The Slow Food SSU Community Salad Bowl Project - Celebrating Our Right to Fresh, Local, Organic Produce

This is not a class but a student driven collaborative, educational project, facilitated by Slow Food SSU. Slow Food SSU members and supporters from the campus community will be the "farmers" of this project on a volunteer basis.
What will be planted and tended to will be shared with the SSU Community at an end of the semester special event. This special event will reflect what we believe is our right to grow, eat and share food that is good, clean and fair. GOOD = tastes good because it is fresh; not shipped from hundreds or thousands of miles away. CLEAN = free of chemicals or the influence of GMO's. FAIR = produced, harvested and distributed in a socially just manner
We will focus on growing edibles for a raw salad: assorted greens, herbs, onions, carrots etc. These are seasonally appropriate for cultivating now and should be harvestable at the end of the semester in May.
We will respectfully adhere to the guidelines of the ETC Garden, acknowledging that we are very fortunate to have this opportunity to share the garden with the horticultural classes and research projects happening there already.
We will use this pilot project as a stepping stone to cultivating a larger Slow Food SSU garden in the future.

SSU Faculty Makes a Film at Sebastopol Farmers Market Showing 12/4 at noon

2008-11-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

Please join us at the final Arts & Humanities Forum of the fall 2008 semester.

Film: SomeThingsAboutFood
When: Thursday December 4th
Time: 12 noon
Where: SSU, Shulz 3001

Michael Litle (COMS) will present a film entitled, SomeThingsAboutFood: a film set in a farm
market.” Michael describes the film as follows: During a busy farmer's market in Sebastopol, Wadner Pierre, a foreign exchange student at SSU, attempts to sell his photographs of Haiti.

DEFEND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE - sign up for this online newsletter

2008-11-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

Organic Bytes - Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!

Environmental, Consumer and Health News Tidbits With An Edge! Organic Bytes, OCA's twice-per-month email newsletter, offers useful news tibdbits, tips and information for the green-minded consumer. Organic Bytes has a readership of over a 250,000 people, making it one of the most popular email newsletters focused on issues involving health, justice and sustainability. http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm

SSU Rated #1 in California for Sustainability!

2008-08-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sonoma State University has been named by The Princeton Review as one of the Top Schools for Sustainability in its annual Review of Best Colleges. SSU scored 98 out of a possible 99 points in the Review's new Green Rating, which gave it a rating of #12 in the nation, and #1 overall in California. The short news report on NPR also gave special mention to "a new program allowing students to participate in sustainability research, the Environmental Studies Department, and the appointment of a Sustainability Coordinator." This is fantastic recognition for the university, and we hope we can use the momentum for creating additional awareness. Here is the SSU press release, which includes a link to the Princeton Review page and info on their new Green Rating:

http://www.sonoma.edu/pubs/newsrelease/archives/002749.html

Pacific Coast Farmers Market Organization

2008-07-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

These are not "certified organic" farmers markets but just "certified" (hmm...) - nonetheless a list of more northern CA markets managed by this non-profit.
Here is their market list

Support Slow Food Nation! Buy a Fruit Box

2008-06-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who has supported Slow Food Nation by getting a box of hand-picked California fruit delivered to their doorstep. In just three months, we have raised over $7,400 for education and youth engagement at Slow Food Nation. The deadline for ordering a June box is Friday, June 20, and the $59 price includes delivery to any address in California. More information about what is included in this month’s box is available by calling The Fruit Guys at 650.246.1200 or http://www.fruitguys.com.

Traditional, Sustainable Rice Production

2008-06-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Article about dramatically increasing rice production using traditional, sustainable farming methods instead of GMO seed, chemical fertilizers, & mechanized farming.
For the complete NY Times article click here

Support Slow Food Nation! - A Call for Gardeners & Volunteers

2008-06-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Calling All Gardeners

Are you interested in helping to create a productive, beautiful, well-maintained, edible garden in front of City Hall in San Francisco? The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden needs help July 1—12 with garden installation, educational docents and stewards–both new and experienced gardeners are welcome. For more details and to enroll as a Victory Garden Volunteer, please email your contact information and availability to info@slowfoodnation.org with “Victory Garden” in the subject.

Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities of all types are available both before and during the event. Additionally, volunteers who can assist with recruiting, training and supervising others may be eligible for “captain” positions. Slow Food Nation thrives on the participation of the local food community. Sign up to volunteer at here or write info@slowfoodnation.org

Click here for lots of great info on THE SLOW FOOD NATION EVENT WEBSITE

On the Trail of a Sustainable Feast in Sonoma

2008-06-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

"...We had come to Sonoma County specifically for the food. Inspired by the “locavore” movement, in which Earth-aware consumers go to great lengths to eat only locally grown, sustainable food from within a 100-mile radius of their home, we decided to take a locavore holiday, creating an entire meal from farms we had personally visited and farmers we had personally met...."
For the complete NY Times article click here

Small Farms Are More Productive and Profitable

2008-05-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

A 1,000 acre U.S. corporate farm growing genetically engineered crops nets an average of $39 an acre.

In contrast, a four-acre family farm nets, on average, $1,400 per acre.

Small organic farms are proving to be even more profitable. With oil prices on the rise, growing food without petroleum-based pesticides/fertilizers, and delivering that food to local markets will quickly prove to be the most affordable food available.

For the complete NY Times article click here

FREE Cheese & Wine Tasting May 16th, 4PM at the SSU University Club (attached to the Commons)

2008-05-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

FREE Cheese and Wine tasting plus a lecture on the process of making cheese with professional cheese maker, Jonathan White of Cowgirl Creamery! Following the lecture on the cheese making process there will be a tasting of three Sonoma County cheeses. Sara Gacek, the president of the student wine appreciation club, Wine Sense, will accompany the tasting offering several Sonoma County wines to pair with the cheeses. This is a collaboration with dining services who will be preparing light appetizers and acoutrements featuring local, in season produce. All are invited. Only those who are 21+ can participate in the wine tasting. There is no charge.

General Meeting May 14 6:30PM on campus

2008-05-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

COFFEE BREAK GENERAL MEETING (open to everyone!)
Take a break with us and join us for the last general meeting of the semester.
Campus location: TBD

Event: Bread Making Workshop May 25th, Time: TBD

2008-05-06T10:37:00.001-07:00

Hands on workshop with Bill Hawn using his traditional wood-fired, bread baking oven. We will be making bread to take home and pizzas for lunch! Space is limited so please let us know asap is you are interested in participating. Location details will be offered when you register for the event.

ALERT: No Farm Bill Extension! Calls Needed Today

2008-05-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

4/15/08 This week Members of Congress will decide between continuing to work on a new farm bill or simply to extend the current bill for another 1-2 years. If the current bill is extended, we will lose significant policy gains and funding increases for conservation, beginning farmer and ranchers, organic production and research, nutrition assistance, renewable energy, and local food systems. Tell your Elected Officials to do their jobs and pass a new farm bill with important sustainable agriculture gains intact!

Potluck Meeting

2008-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

April 23rd at 6:30 at Environmental Technology Center Bldg (ETC)
Thank-you for helping to make our first potluck meeting on campus a success. In attendance was our beloved Bill Hawn (President of Slow Food Sonoma County) in addition to a visit from the Northern California Regional Governor, Larry Martin (of Slow Food Russian River). Larry shared words of praise and encouragement for bringing the vision of slow food to our campus. We will remain in contact with him for support and event/volunteer opportunities in the future. Thanks Larry! Click here if you are interested in viewing our constitution. In the future you will be able to find our constitution and meeting minutes on this blog, in the link section to the right.

Larry reminded us that Slow Food is not just a club for food enthusiasts. An emphasis of our gathering is on the breaking of bread with our community; but we do so to develop a platform for change. This change can be political, educational, celebratory and profound.

"We envision a future food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice...a food system that is good clean and fair." (Slow Food USA)

LA Times Article - Treading Lighter With Low Carbon Diets

2008-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Students at the University of Redlands cafeteria have low-carbon options at mealtime. A poster invites students: "You've changed your light bulbs, now change your lunch."

Carlo Petrini - Founder Slow Food International

2008-04-22T11:12:00.001-07:00

Lecture (12 minutes) April 03,2008, A Night at The Opera - Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food International shares his views about food, politics, and American culture on the road to a sustainable food nation. Explores the meaning of gastronomy, the current impact of food production upon the environment, and the pressing need for fundamental change. From Fast Food Nation to Slow Food Nation sponsored by Kaiser Permanente's Center For Health Research.

Dr. Vandana Shiva - V.P., Slow Food India

2008-04-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

Interview (2.52 minutes)

Carlo Petrini - Founder Slow Food International

2008-04-22T09:44:00.001-07:00

(9 minutes) Slow Food Picnic - Russian River

Slow Food Nation: An Evening With Carlo Petrini

2008-04-22T09:43:00.001-07:00

lecture (2 minutes) August 2, 2007

Food Service and Sales Policy at SSU

2008-04-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Slow Food Sonoma County Annual Meeting

2008-04-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

April 12, 2008 Healdsburg, CA
Our newly elected leaders were invited to attend the Sonoma County Convivium Annual Meeting on Saturday and the afternoon proved to exhibit all of the warm and sunny flavors you might expect from Healdsburg in the Spring. A generous midmeeting snack of locally produced cheeses, breads, and wine was provided. It was great to get a chance to observe their meeting process. We chatted with SoCo members about event ideas for SSU and some of the obstacles we are facing. We also got a chance to check out their Ark of Taste display.