Written by: Chelsea Marburger
Events/Promotions Intern at Indianapolis City Market
Indianapolis City Market @IndyCM
We all know what fast food is but what about “slow food”? The slow food movement started back in the 80s when people realized that not only were people eating poorly, but interest in what we were putting into our bodies, where it was coming from, and how it was being prepared was at an all-time low. The slow food movement has gained major publicity in the U.S. due to a large increase in farmers markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), and pick-your-own operations. Fundamental to the slow food movement is the concept of “eco-gastronomy – a strong recognition of the relationship between plate and planet.”
The number of farmers markets has increased dramatically in the past 5-10 years; the 2006 count was 4,385 whereas the count in 2012 was 7,864. Farmers markets are a benefit to all those involved. The Original Farmers’ Market at City Market is in its 16th season of providing fresh, locally- grown produce to downtown communities that wouldn’t have it otherwise. Farmers markets also allow farmers and producers to sell directly to their consumers which establishes better pricing systems for customers and higher sales for producers. Over the past couple of years, there has also been an increased effort by the USDA to push farmers markets to accept different types of government-funded programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to encourage healthy eating habits and to change purchasing patterns of low-income individuals.
The popularity of CSAs has also spiked in recent years. CSAs live up to their name by creating a relationship between consumers and their locally-grown goods. Buyers interested in being part of a CSA purchase a subscription to a particular garden or farm and experience the successes and the pitfalls of farming in that they are provided only what the farm is able to produce. CSAs will typically specialize in a specific type of product as well. Indianapolis-based Big City Farms specializes in heirloom produce whereas near south side’s South Circle Farm produces vegetables, herbs, berries, and plants.
The “slow food” movement is gaining steam every season and every harvest. Families concerned with the health of their children, people recovering from illness, and just every day people wanting to stay fit and healthy are shopping locally to support their bodies and their local economies. In addition, the slow food movement provides for “clean” farming techniques, fair producer wages and a return to communal and convivial relationships to food and each other. For more information on the slow food movement, farmers markets, CSAs, and the organizations mentioned, please visit their websites listed below.
Indianapolis City Market @IndyCM: www.indycm.com
Big City Farm: www.bigcityfarmsindy.com
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