Green Options

Guest contributor Pamela Price is the founder of Red, White & Grew, a blog devoted to “Promoting the Victory Garden Revival and other simple, earth-friendly endeavors as bipartisan, patriotic acts in an age of uncertainty.”

If you’re a full-fledged foodie, then you’re well aware of this weekend’s Slow Food Nation ‘08. Sandwiched as it is between the nation’s political conventions, the first-ever SFN promises to be a palate-cleanser for those of us who regard good food and sustainable agriculture as bipartisan paths to unity. According to the official web site, SFN conventioneers will be invited to Celebrate, Learn and Act this weekend to create a “deeper connection to our food.”

Not surprisingly, and as Kelli Best-Oliver reported here earlier, many SFN events are already sold out. And the major networks won’t be providing round-the-clock coverage for the San Francisco-based convergence (drat!).  But don’t feel left out of the party! There are several ways you can stay connected both with the convention goings-on and general spirit.

Slow Food USA is hosting its first-ever Slow Food Nation convention this weekend in San Francisco, and boy, do I wish I could be there.  Not only is San Francisco one of my favorite cities in the world, but the convention which bills itself as “the largest celebration of food in America”–and judging from the lineup of events, it’s got to be close.  The event, which kicks off Friday, expects to draw 50,000 people sampling food and wine, listening to speakers, taking part in workshops, watching films, taking hikes, seeing cooking demonstrations, and even rocking out to bands.  Even better, Slow Food Nation is drawing together citizens, chefs, farmers, activists, and artists in a community of people who support good food and food justice.