By Tanner Randall
“Shake the hand that feeds you.”
Michael Pollan’s phrase from, In Defense of Food, brings attention to the subject of who or what is really feeding us.
For Americans living at an accelerated pace, obtaining food has gone from growing a garden and shopping at the local farmers market, to driving up to a window where a slightly irritated voice asks, “May I take your order?”
Will the fast pace lifestyle American’s have created for themselves ever slow down? Michael Hursey believes so. Hursey is one of the leaders of the regional Slow Food Movement located in Kansas City.
The Slow Food Movement originated in Italy in 1986 by Carlo Petrini. The goals range from supporting local farmers, to educating people about the dangers and risks of fast food.
One of the most prominent organizations promoting slow food in the United States is Slow Food USA. Its mission statement is, “Slow Food USA seeks to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. We reconnect Americans with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food. We inspire a transformation in food policy, production practices and market forces so that they ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat.”
A branch of Slow Food USA, Slow Food Kansas City has taken many steps to educate and push along the slow food movement, according to Hursey the group co-chair and one of the original members.
Several people in the Kansas area have adopted the slow food movement into their lives. Hursey has chosen to follow the slow food movement by supporting local farmers and producers. He has also created a catering service, Casa Somerset, that follows the movement’s philosophy.
Starting in 2004, Kansas City Slow Food’s goals were simple: support small producers and local farmers, advocate fair food and safe food, and bring back foods that are going extinct. These goals follow along with the national slow food movement in the United States.
Throughout the years these goals have stayed roughly the same, but the organization has become better at achieving them, Hursey said. Slow Food Kansas City has improved at locating and promoting local farmers and food. By supporting local farmers, Slow Food Kansas City increases membership, but helps promote the philosophy of the slow food movement.
Slow Food Kansas City has gained support in several ways. The group sponsors events to educate people about the slow food philosophy and its benefits by holding cooking demonstrations.
The public is growing more interested in where its food is coming from, Hursey said, especially as America’s obesity epidemic grows. Following the slow food philosophy with what you choose to eat could help lower obesity rates and lower health care costs, he claims. Food Kansas City hopes to team farmers with restaurants that will use their products.
Hursey has adopted the slow food movement philosophy into his everyday life. His main focus is supporting and helping sell local food. Although it may seem hard to find local producers for all the food products you need according to Hursey, “there are so many local vendors if you look for them.”
Hursey is not only trying to support local producers by getting their products recognized, but help them trim costs as well. For example, local farmers recycle egg cartons. He promotes the market in Overland Park and a new one in Paola.
“If we don’t start supporting our local farmers they will go away,” he said.
Restaurants and catering companies are joining the crusade. Hursey created Casa Somerset after spending time in Italy with Laura Capanetti, a restaurant owner. There he became close with Capanetti and her family and was inspired by not only the food, but how the food was prepared and eaten.
At catering events Casa Somerset educates their guests on where their food is coming from, how they can buy local, and the benefits of knowing where the food you are eating is coming from.
In Italy the stores are shutdown from one to four so everyone to go home to eat and spend time with their families. Casa Somerset attempts to recreate this experience.
Bringing the family back to the table could help fix certain social problems that American’s now face because of their fast pace lifestyle. Casa Somerset also allows their guests to help with the preparation of the food, further educating their guests on the slow food movement.
America has been swept away by the assumption that everything has to be faster. With rising rates of obesity, health care costs, cardiovascular disease, and the lack of family interaction there have to be some steps taken towards a change.
Followers believe the slow food movement can help bring about change. This philosophy is nationally supported. Hursey expects growth. “There will be more and more people aware of where their food is coming from,” he said.
