flickr photostream:

http://flickr.com/photos/slowfoodtriangle

Want to learn about the 306 other “Eat Ins” across the country today? Check this out:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=timeforlunch&m=tags

Our “Eat In” in Durham was quite spectacular yet chill. 40 people + on 2 days notice of the actual location and finally some cool weather with a light refreshing mist. Very welcoming. The conversation was lively and forward looking - the food beyond words. Folks were very participatory during the discussion and the children were able to enjoy the playground just feet away from the amphitheater, which was very convenient and provided an appropriate backdrop for the topic.

I enjoyed meeting folks that are already thinking and working on this initiative everyday as I’m trying to figure out where we can help out the most now. There are alot of bridges to cross. As it turns out there a plenty of people working for and within the current system that already want better, real food in our cafeterias - but their hands are tied because of funding, infrastructure and legislation etc. So, no wagging of the finger please - they are doing their job and making a living, they’re not setting the program themselves - just running it cause that’s their job .

So, how can we as a community help bring Real food into our schools?

I just heard about 1,000 strawberry plants going in on Eco Farm land in Orange County. If Slow food Triangle works something out with Eco can we bring some by this spring? Oh you don’t have a kitchen?  No worries! Let’s work on fixing that. I have a friend that builds out kitchens for restaurants. Maybe if Slow Food Triangle raises some funds we can bring those strawberries in after all and make some preserves to enjoy next winter….and you can have Eco keep it coming if you wish. Wouldn’t that be nice to look forward to? What’s that you say? - you’d rather just have some strawberry ice cream today? Hmmm, I better ask the principal about that..Have you ever had beef stroganoff that’s simmered overnight? Don’t put the noodles in just yet silly. The governor is arriving in a few minutes…

One attendee pointed out that we as a community need to treat our public schools as all-age community centers. If we do this and all pitch in as a restructuring effort - alot of the problems will solve themselves naturally and much delicious fun and learning would be had.

If you would like to host a potluck on your school’s grounds to help raise awareness of what’s possible - contact info@slowfoodtriangle.org and keep an eye out for more events like this at slowfoodtriangle.org.

Much thanks to the Slow Food USA , Durham Public School System (who were really helpful) as were the staff, administration and PTA at George Watts.
Bravo to Dr. Alice Ammerman of the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - as well as ALL of the attendees today in Durham and all across the USA!

Gordon Zacharias
Slow Food Triangle