Really......I don't even care for Tea....

To be completely honest.....prior to the assigment, I had no idea what a tea infuser was or what the slow food movement was for that matter. At first thought, I kind of was like, "what is this pseudo-intellectual movement that no body probably knows about"! Interestingly enough there are a lot of people that are down with the whole "slow food idea". With over 100,000 member world wide since its inception in the late 1980's and with a little over 16,000 members in the U.S., the only think that sits on my mind when I'm "day dreaming" on my project, is why is this the first time I'm hearing about this? I mean, is it really just that I've been living under a rock for the last 2 decades or what? Now I'm all for everybody getting a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner in a new and fresher way, however with the whole "organic food" craze that has been going around in the States, personally I feel like it doesn't do the slow food movement any justice. While the movement has gotten a lot of international recognition, I regrettably feel skeptical of its successes in the United States.
It would seem that in other countries based on their economic reliance as well as their culture awareness, the slow food movement has flourished because the movement means more to people than "just food". For example, based of the explanations of the "ark of foods" (a founding principle in which the slow food movement was made off of), which is a collection of dishes that embody the heritage of the nation in which it represents, this means more to people than just making a buck (which is more than I could say for the U.S.). Oddly enough most of the fast food industries that globalize the world such as McDonalds, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. are based out of where? That's right, you guessed it.......THE UNITED STATES. Earlier I asked "why haven't I heard about the slow food movement in the United States until now?". Well I'm willing to bet its not because McDonalda would care to have any "natural food " competitors. I imagine its not in the best interest of the fast food industries to publicize low priced, afforable, whole food (which is why you only see 20 to 25 Mcdonald's commercial a day and zero whole foods, or all natural brand foods a day). In other countries of the world it is a standard to have a farming communities which proves food for its people, but not so much in the United States. the "organic food" craze has almost made a commodity of all that is naturally grown, and has put a price tag on a natural resource (like everything else in this country).
When reading over interviews with Carlo Petrini (founder of the slow food movement), he gave the impression that the slow food movement was trying to combat this idea that "whole food" isn't a luxury for certain people, but it is a right to all peoples. Alice Waters, one of the most well known members of the slow food movement in the California chapter of the Movement has taken proposals to congress debating the quality of food for children in their school lunches. I'm not really sure if I fulfilled the assignment, but I've said everything that came to mind when researching the topic not to mention, the slow food movement delves into alot of issues that are bigger than just "food". But that's just my take on it. Please feel free to comment

Later

;)