« Slow Food Movement and Grass Fed Beef | Blog Home | Our Farm Hand Grady »
Slow Food Movement and Grass Fed Beef
Carlo Petrini started the slow food movement in response to the opening of a McDonalds in Piazza Spagna in Rome in 1986. Italians have historically viewed eating as an experience to be savored with friends and family. A fast food restaurant opening in the heart of Rome’s historic center was not something to be taken lightly. Rather than protest Carlo Petrini chose to show that there is a better way.
Mr. Petrini has tried to demonstrate that we have a choice when it comes to food. We do not have to settle for the drab and unhealthy fare of fast food restaurants. The slow food movement’s mission is to show us that we can take the time to enjoy the pleasures of food.
What does the slow food movement have to do with grass farming and
finishing beef cattle? Lots. Up until the 1940’s all cattle were
raised the way it was intended, that is on grass and forages. After
WWII there began a surplus of corn and in an effort to deal with that
surplus they began feeding it to cattle. Over time it was discovered
that this could speed up the process of getting a beef animal to
finishing weight. Behold, feedlots were born. Synthetic hormones and
various chemical feed additives added even more speed. Though the
animal’s health suffered antibiotics were introduced to keep them
going. In this artificial environment beef became less wholesome.
Grass-fed beef is a return to the basics and reconnection with the way
things should be done.
The driving philosophy of the slow food movement is that the enjoyment of wholesome food is essential to the pursuit of happiness. They are striving to resurrect the kitchen and the dinner table as centers of pleasure, culture and community. Grass-fed beef producers are trying to resurrect sustainable livestock management for the benefit of the animal, the consumer, the environment, and the family farm.
The slow food movement seeks to preserve a region’s cuisine and the
associated food plants and seeds along with domestic animals and
farming methods of that region. In the US, members of the slow food
movement would seek to preserve the spice of Cajun cooking, the smoky
flavor of wild salmon from the west coast and the fresh flavor of crabs
caught in the Chesapeake Bay. They support the efforts of grass
farmers in producing beef that is healthy, juicy and a delight to the
table. They support the purity of organic food, diverse animal breeds
and heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables along with regionally
produced farmhouse cheeses. According to the slow food movement the
standardization of food varieties has lead to the extinction of
thousands of different varieties of food.
Posted by Patti on February 9, 2007
Trackback PingsTrackBack URL for Slow Food Movement and Grass Fed Beef entry:
http://blog.americangrassfedbeef.com/mt-tb.cgi/56
Comments
Post A Comment Form
http://blog.americangrassfedbeef.com/mt-tb.cgi/56
