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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.

2008 Press Releases

April 20, 2008
NEW ANALYSIS OF AT-RISK FOODS IN NORTH AMERICA
The Renewing America’s Food Traditions (RAFT) Alliance announces the first continent-wide analysis of at-risk food species and varieties in North America. More than 1,000 unique seeds, breeds, fruits, nuts, fish and game are currently threatened or endangered across the continent. The RAFT Alliance has not only identified which foods are vulnerable, but is calling for the restoration of regional food networks, farms, wildlands and waters to prevent such extinctions.  

2007 Press Releases

November 19, 2007
SLOW FOOD NOMINATES YOUNG VICE PRESIDENT
An international delegation of youth attended Slow Food’s International Congress in Puebla Mexico and presented a six-point proposal that establishes opportunities for leadership by, investment in, and engagement of youth in the Slow Food movement and organization. Their presentation was met with enthusiasm by Slow Food leaders, culminating in the nomination of 20 year-old Kenyan student John Kariuki Mwangi as one of three International Vice Presidents of Slow Food.

November 2, 2007
YOUTH FOOD MOVEMENT
New York City, NY: In order to highlight the work being accomplished by youth around the country, and to inspire international Slow Food leaders to bring these models for youth engagement back to their home countries, Slow Food USA and Slow Food International are sponsoring a delegation of Youth Food Movement representatives to attend the Slow Food Leaders Congress in Mexico this coming week.

August 30, 2007
THE SLOW FOOD USA ARK OF TASTE SETS SAIL ON THE WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL STEPS
On September 15th, 2007, rare American heirloom fruit, vegetables and livestock such as the Native Wisconsin Cranberry, the Mississippi Cotton Patch Goose, the Florida Wilson Popenoe Avocado and the Inland Empire Old-Grove Navel Orange from California will be welcomed onto the Slow Food USA Ark of Taste.

August 10, 2007
SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT BECKONS AMERICA’S YOUTH
Slow Food USA is pleased to announce the expansion of their Slow Food membership chapters to college and university campuses across the country.  In response to demand from college aged students eager to get involved in the national conversation about food and the environment, Slow Food USA and its program Slow Food in Schools, will bring together a diverse group of students who are passionate about food and sustainability issues.  

July 20, 2007
ARK TO DOCK IN BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Slow Food USA to Board Bison onto the ‘Ark of Taste’ Next Week -- Erika Lesser, executive director of Slow Food USA, is expected to make the formal announcement of the bison addition to the Ark of Taste when she addresses the International Bison Conference in Rapid City,
South Dakota.

May 10, 2007
SAVE THE DATE! SLOW FOOD NATION 2008
On May 1 – 4, 2008, Slow Food USA will hold an unprecedented public event, Slow Food Nation, at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

May 9 , 2007
SLOW FOOD SF'S GOLDEN GLASS EVENT COMING THIS JUNE
Top Italian indigenous & regional wines complemented by gastronomic delights from leading Bay Area restaurateurs and food producers

April 19 , 2007
Native Foods Celebration at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe
Renewing America’s Food Traditions (RAFT) and the Institute of
American Indian Arts (IAIA) are bringing together over two dozen farmers, ranchers, gatherers,
historians, cooks and food activists for a Native Food Producers’ Retreat at IAIA in Santa Fe, NM. To
complement this retreat, a free public celebration will be held on Sunday May 20 from 10:00am to
4:00pm on the IAIA campus.

2006 Press Releases

September 21, 2006
SLOW FOOD REVOLUTION: Carlo Petrini in Conversation with Gigi Padovani
Can food be political?  The question might seem frivolous, but to Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Food, and to the more than eighty thousand worldwide members of the movement, the question is vital, and the answer is yes, absolutely. 

September 8, 2006
Terra Madre 2006: October 26-30 in Turin, Italy
Largest International Gathering of Small-Scale Farmers and Food Producers, Including 500 from the U.S. Chefs and Universities Will Also Attend  

August 26, 2006
Slow Food USA holds its first Sustainable Seafood Gala
On September 25, 2006, Slow Food USA will hold its first Sustainable Seafood Gala at Agraria Restaurant in Washington, DC, to highlight the importance of responsible fishing practices, sustainable food systems and ocean conservation.

May 9, 2006
Ragya—Tibetan Plateau’s First Yak Cheese Export
The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and the Trace Foundation announce the advent of Ragya Yak Cheese, a unique and aromatic creation from the high-altitude land of Tibet.

March 14, 2006
Slow Food's Terra Madre Katrina Relief Fund awards grants to 12 Gulf Region producers and restaurant owners in an effort to help rebuild the local food system
New Orleans, Crescent City Farmers Market, March 21st, 2006, 10am: Slow Food USA will distribute $30,000 to twelve local food producers and restaurant owners who have been heavily affected by Hurricane Katrina.

January 19, 2006
The Slow Food Guide to San Francisco
When people around the world think of the San Francisco Bay Area, they immediately think of delicious food. Its restaurants, farms, vineyards and specialty food producers are at the epicenter of cutting edge food in America.

2004-2005 Press Release Archive

2001-2003 Press Release Archive

Slow Food in the Press Archive

 

Press

For Immediate Release
May 9, 2006

Ragya—Tibetan Plateau’s First Yak Cheese Export

Latse Contemporary Tibetan Cultural Library

On Friday, 19 May 2006, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at 132 Perry Street (Suite 2B), New York, NY 10014 (tel: 212 367-8490), the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and the Trace Foundation will host a press briefing to announce the advent of Ragya Yak Cheese, a unique and aromatic creation from the high-altitude land of Tibet.

Jigme Gyaltsen, a senior monk from Ragya Monastery in Qinghai on the Tibetan Plateau, is the founder of a private school and the extraordinary individual behind the development of this cheese. He will be present at the press briefing to answer questions.

Following the press briefing, there will be an official opening for “Thogang: From the Tibetan Plateau,” an exhibition of photographs by Lois Conner.

The story of Ragya Yak Cheese began with the vision of Jigme Gyaltsen, who ten years ago searched for a way to support the children at the primary school of which he is the principal. With the help of a grant from Trace Foundation which, around that same time, was interested in exploring cheese-making as a means to promote culturally appropriate economic development in the region , Jigme Gyaltsen established a cheese factory for the processing of dri milk (the female of the yak) on the rich grasslands of Qinghai near the remote prefecture of Golok. The product of the factory will generate income to help sustain both his school and the local Tibetan nomad community.

In 2004, Jigme Gyaltsen and the Trace Foundation joined Slow Food, forming the ‘Tibetan Plateau Yak Cheese Presidium’, an economic development project designed to improve and promote the quality of Ragya Yak Cheese.

Over the past two summers, with the involvement of master cheese makers from Italy, the Ragya Yak Cheese Factory has produced a hard mountain cheese with an aroma reminiscent of an aged pecorino and a clean flavor that finishes with mild herbal and grassy notes. Although unusual, the making of this hard cheese fell in line with the many ways the nomads have developed to preserve the rich nutritive value of yak milk in such harsh environment.

The Presidium now works with over 30 yak herders and a dozen cheese makers on the Tibetan Plateau to identify ways in which their local agricultural products can become sustainable sources of income. Now the question is: Is it possible for Ragya Yak Cheese to compete with Vermont or Wisconsin’s best efforts? We believe that at twice the fat of cow’s milk cheese, its chances are excellent.

Chefs from New York City’s I Trulli, Rose Water, and Aurora restaurants have also created recipes using the cheese. These recipes and further suggestions on how to serve the cheese will be available on the following websites: www.tibetcheese.org and www.slowfoodusa.org

On the evening of May 19 th from 6-8 p.m. there will be a further opportunity to sample Ragya Yak Cheese at a wine and cheese reception at Latse Library. Jigme Gyaltsen, Trace Foundation, and Slow Food representatives will talk about the project. A short documentary, shot on location, by Italian filmmaker Andrea Cavazzuti will also be shown.

Ragya Yak Cheese Events in New York , 19 May 2006

  • 10:00-11:00 a.m. Press Briefing
  • 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese Reception

Latse Contemporary Tibetan Cultural Library
132 Perry Street
New York, NY 10014
www.latse.org

Contact:

Paola Vanzo
Trace Foundation
212-367-7380
events@trace.org

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