Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Slow Food USA Lowers Dues

I have finally joined my local Slow Food Chapter. I didn't join years earlier because I have a philosophical objection to the cost of the baseline membership, which I have thought is too high and thus the organization created a feeling of membership being "elitist". 

Good News!! Dues have not been permanently lowered but until October 15th, you can join for only $25, which I just did. 

I fervently share Slow Food's mission and vision:

Our Mission: 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.

Our Vision: Food is a common language and a universal right. Slow Food USA envisions a world in which all people can eat food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it, and good for the planet.

My husband and I are working toward this vision with our new organic farm. I would add that we envision growing good food also being good for creating a healthy local community. It is the best way I know to help the cancer survivorship community, reducing it through good food leading to cancer prevention in the first place.

The needs for changing our agriculture and food systems are wide and urgent, and there is room under the Slow Food tent for a wide variety of people working together on a wide variety of areas for needed change.

I hope this special time for lowering of dues is offered annually. 

In the meantime, I encourage you to consider taking advantage of this short-term special opportunity to join your local chapter. I am inspired and energized by Slow Food's goals and the people I meet who share these goals. I am reminded by the famous quote by Margaret Mead:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

"Cultivate your life - you are what you grow - inch by inch, row by row"

Diana Dyer, MS, RD

2 comments:

TeacherPatti said...

I agree with you on the price of a membership. There is no way I could fit that into my budget. I applaud them for lowering the price and hopefully this will be an annual thing. What would also be nice is if people who CAN afford the full price buy some gift memberships for people who cannot. I wish I were in the boat to be able to do this, but alas I am not.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing Diana. A friend of mine is the founder of the Slow Food group here in Grand Rapids and I TOO put it off due to the cost, but now have no reason not to. PS...my son and I JUST got back from an evening at Artprize AND...drum roll please...had dinner at Marie Catribs (I don't think there has been a time in there that she hasn't said hello;) I had the salmon, spinach sandwich...MMMM;) Take care and God bless.

Rhonda