How Slow is Your Food?

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 16^th 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

South Circle Farm: www.southcirclefarm.com

This season’s must visit: Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Stonycreek Farms

Harvest season is celebrated each year on the 1860’s Stonycreek Farm in Noblesville, Indiana. Situated on fifty acres of rolling Indiana farmland, the farm was named after the creek, which meanders through the property. Stonycreek was an Indian trade route and the site of an old gristmill. Steeped in American history, still standing on the farmstead are the original house, the big barn, black smith shop, and buggy barn.

The 39^th Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Stonycreek Farm runs September 24 – October 31, at 11366 State Road 38 East, Noblesville. Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., parking is $5.00 per car on Saturday and Sunday. There is no parking fee Monday-Friday.

If you haven’t zip lined through the farm property yet, you are missing out as the 400 ft. zip line, which is returning as a main attraction. The cost is $15 per person for anyone age 10 and up who weigh 90 pounds to 250 pounds. You will start atop f a 50-foot suspension bridge. The line will take you through a 30-foot high tower in the Christmas Tree Field, and then sail zippers across the field and over a pond. It’s a spectacular way to see the farm with a bird-eye view!

New to the festival this year is a 60 ft. slide that takes riders through a cave entrance and emerges at the woods’ edge. Back by popular demand, an entertainment area for “kids” ages 8-80 features duck races with antique water pumps and peddle car races and the popular “Giant Jumping Pillow”. Fall activities include hayrides to the pumpkin field, a haunted house for youngsters, gourd sling shot, corn cob cannon, Kiddiepillar (inflatable), and more. Kids love the pony rides, petting the farm animals, jumping in the giant straw mound and playing at the playground. Most activities have a nominal fee.

Stonycreek Farm Nursery and Landscaping is located at 11366 State Road 38 East, two miles east of Noblesville on State Road 38 East.  For more information call the INFO LINE at (317) 776-9427 or go to www.stonycreekfarm.net.