2006 - 2007 Press Releases

2005 Press Releases

November 1, 2005
Slow Food USA releases 4th Annual State-by-State Guide to American Heritage Turkey Producers
4 Years Later, Slow Food USA Still Connecting Americans to High Quality, Locally-Grown Birds.

September 19, 2005
SLOW FOOD USA CELEBRATES REGIONAL / SUSTAINABLE / ARTISANAL FOODS
On October 2, 2005, Slow Food USA will hold Urban Harvest, its festive tribute to the farmers and food artisans who provide New York and the surrounding region with foods that are delicious, ecologically sustainable, and humanely produced.

February 22, 2005
ELEANOR BERTINO ELECTED TO SLOW FOOD USA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eleanor Bertino, noted publicist for many of the Bay Area’s finest food establishments, was elected to the Board of Slow Food USA in January. She is the principal of Eleanor Bertino Public Relations, a San Francisco based firm representing fine restaurants and artisan food producers, which she launched in 1983.

2004 Press Releases

NOVEMBER 9, 2004
THE BETSY LYDON SLOW FOOD ARK USA AWARD GOES TO MICHAEL PHILLIPS, ORGANIC ORCHARDIST
In celebration of the life and work of Betsy Lydon, who devoted herself to sustaining small scale food producers by encouraging local, seasonal eating and an appreciation for diversified farming, the first annual "Betsy Lydon Slow Food Ark USA Award" is to be presented tonight at the Savoy Restaurant, to Michael Phillips, a farmer and author based in the Northern White Mountains of New Hampshire.

AUGUST 26, 2004
SLOW FOOD LAUNCHES TERRA MADRE: A WORLD MEETING OF FOOD COMMUNITIES
An alternative to the current industrial food production system exists: one where food quality and variety are valued, rural regions thrive, and links between producers and consumers are strong.

MAY 15, 2004
SLOW FOOD USA NAMES ERIKA LESSER AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Slow Food USA is pleased to name Erika Lesser as its new Executive Director, effective June 1st. Erika returns to the National Office in New York City with over four years of experience with Slow Food.

MAY, 2004
SLOW FOOD USA'S CRAWFISH BOIL SPONSORED BY MCILHENNY CO. AND TABASCO
Taste the terroir of Avery Island at the first ever Slow Food USA Crawfish Boil! This afternoon event will be the largest Slow Food USA fundraising event of the year.

2001-2003 Press Release Archive

Slow Food in the Press Archive

If you've got inquiries or would like to discuss story ideas, upcoming events, or the movement in general, please contact Kate Evanishyn at kate@slowfoodusa.org or 718.260.8000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Erika Lesser
Slow Food USA
718.260.8000

THE BETSY LYDON SLOW FOOD ARK USA AWARD GOES TO MICHAEL PHILLIPS, ORGANIC ORCHARDIST

New York, NY, November 9, 2004: In celebration of the life and work of Betsy Lydon, who devoted herself to sustaining small scale food producers by encouraging local, seasonal eating and an appreciation for diversified farming, the first annual "Betsy Lydon Slow Food Ark USA Award" is to be presented tonight at the Savoy Restaurant, to Michael Phillips, a farmer and author based in the Northern White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Michael Phillips grows a wide array of vegetables and medicinal herbs but his passion is in organic apples. "I'd love to be growing more apples, but recognize that the orchard can only be a part of our farm's market mix in sparsely populated northern New Hampshire," notes Michael. "Our livelihood goes in many directions, all of which takes time and focus. A passion for apples holds only so much economic promise for those of us" in this community. Two and-a-half acres of young trees supplies a community of shareholders with both dessert and juice fruit.

Michael grew up in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania, and despite extended family roots in farming, he obtained a civil engineering degree from Penn State. A ten-month career in the Washington D.C. area-and watching the sun rise in four lane bumper-to-bumper traffic-was enough to convince him to "retire" and seek an alternative path. Years were spent volunteering at a home for abandoned children in New Hampshire, where he was to plant his first apple tree and meet Nancy. The farm and a life connection to the apple tree followed from there.

Michael's book, "The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist," was published by Chelsea Green in 1998. Michael teamed up with his wife Nancy to write "The Village Herbalist: Sharing Plant Medicines with Family and Community," published in late 2001. This couple teaches about organic apple growing, herbal healing and self-reliant living at farm conferences throughout the country, with even their nine-year-old daughter Gracie leading herb walks.

"The real question in all this" says Michael, "isn't so much 'How big can I become?' but rather 'How can community-based orchards succeed everywhere?' Artisanal ciders and freshly-picked apples that reflect regional heritage have become niche markets for smaller growers, and to that I can only lift up my cup up high and give three cheers!"

The Betsy, which includes a small cash award, will be presented annually by the Slow Food Ark USA Project, a program dedicated to saving an economic, social and cultural heritage - a universe of endangered foods and tastes including animal breeds, fruit and vegetables, cured meats, cheese, cereals, pastas, cakes and confectionery. Contributions to the "Betsy Lydon Slow Food Ark USA Award" are welcome year round, and can be sent to Slow Food USA, 20 Jay Street, No. 313, Brooklyn, NY 11201, made by calling 718.260.8000 or via the web, at www.slowfoodusa.org.