Taste, Traditions, and the Honest Pleasures of Food

 

Slow Food Tallahassee's Inaugural Event

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Turkey Hill Farm, Tallahassee

The first gathering of the Slow Food Tallahassee convivia was initiated and organized by Claire Olson, who was inspired to find a healthier way to feed her family and driven by a desire to connect consumers with the wonderful locally grown foods in North Florida and South Georgia. 

About 25 people braved the rain to gather under the protective framework of Louise and Farmer Herman's new home construction (now dubbed the "Slow House").  Farmer Herman led the group on a tour of Turkey Hill Farm's (the turkey referring to wild turkeys seen on the property, not anything raised there) organic herbs and vegetables before everyone settled in for a potluck meal and to learn more about the Slow Food initiative.

	The Slow Food Movement (is) a defiant determination to preserve unprocessed, time-intensive food from being wiped off the culinary map. -- New York Times Magazine
		Click Here to see the recipe for the fabulous chocolate ginger cake with raspberry butter frosting.

Cheeses were very generously provided by the Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville, Georgia, where "Our animals are happy. Happy animals produce valuable, luscious milk, and rich milk makes the best cheese." They will host their open house on November 26, check their web site for details. This is truly amazing cheese!

While much of Slow Food Tallahassee is about taking the time to enjoy good food with friends, part of our mission is educational and where better to do that than in the schools, where standard cafeteria fare is far from nutritious and enjoyable.  Tiffanie Bourassa discussed her efforts at Tallahassee's Creative Preschool, where children learn where their food really comes from by growing it on site.  She explained the hurdles of meeting federal standards set for school food programs which require standardized forms to be filled out regardless. One such form asks about the number of cans of chicken in a given recipe not realizing that at Creative Preschool they cook fresh chickens and pick the meat from the bone and do not use canned meat products.

Allison Martin of Ali's Market (located on the corner of Crump Road and Hwy 90, behind Maxwell's BP Station in the big red barn) explained her families difficult decision to leave small farming all together and to instead try their hand at gathering local merchandise for their farmer's market. Allison also mentioned her future goal of offering classes in things such as canning and herb farming at the Ali's Market. Visit the Market and don't forget to try a delicious milkshake too!

Joanne Chamberlain spoke about the jams and jellies she produces. She specializes in probiotics and her items can be customed ordered.

Slow Food will meet again in January, stay tuned for details!  Meanwhile you can register to join Slow Food online here or print out a form to mail or fax.   Be sure to mention you want to associate with the Slow Food Tallahassee convivia.