Compiled by Brian Solem, Communications director
Karen has been the co-chapter leader of Slow Food Philadelphia with Jennifer Dolan since the reboot of the chapter in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic.
What brought you to the Slow Food network?
I moved to Philly in 2010 from Geneva, IL. I worked with Portia Belloc-Lowdes from the Slow Food Chapter in Chicago to start the Geneva Green Market — the first local food farmers market in Kane County. Everyone that I encountered was so like minded and helpful. It was great, so when I moved to the Philly area I was excited to join the chapter and started volunteering and working on the board.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a Slow Food chapter leader?
Time. The challenge of building up the membership and training new leadership to continue the messaging of good, clean and fair.
What is one thing you and your chapter are aiming to achieve in 2024?
We are building communication about what is happening to the local food movement, and making the Snail of Approval a strong program.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer to other Slow Food chapter leaders?
Food traditions are the heart and soul of the culture; we need to seed, plant, harvest, preserve and share. When this work is shared with many hands, we help make moments of joy. “Work with joy,” as stated by my co-chair, Jennifer Dolan.
