Slow Food Madison is a local chapter of an organization dedicated to bringing people together to celebrate and preserve food traditions. A local support program for artisan producers committed to sustaining the land and developing foods with excellent taste, Slow Food also has national and international partnerships.

Leader: Susan Boldt

Position: Slow Food Madison leader

Website: www.slowfoodwisconsin.org

What is Slow Food Madison’s purpose and mission?

Our purpose is to promote the message that it is important for people to have clean, good quality and fair food. All people deserve good food.

What role does the Slow Food group play in the community and state?

It’s an educational role in terms of taste education, cultural education and promotion. I think it’s important for us to educate the community on those three points and to offer experiences at all different levels that demonstrate those points.

How does the Slow Food group help move Wisconsin forward?

It helps to create a stronger Wisconsin identity. It makes that link between the people and the land and the food that they’re eating. We’re reaching out to other cultures within our state to help them understand the importance of some of our natural resources.

So far, what has been your favorite Slow Food moment or memory?

It was the realization of this dream, of this international partnership. We brought over a chef from Chippewa Falls, Wis., and some of our Wisconsin products: wild rice and cranberries. We had a dinner where we cooked together with the Mantova [Italy] people in our sister city and had a Slow Food event. Just being in the kitchen, cooking together, the realization of a partnership was really solidified.

What is something unusual or unexpected that your organization is fueling or accomplishing that the community might not be aware of?

We’re trying to build recognition of renewing America’s food tradition. People know of some very special local foods of origin: the Amish paste tomato, the Beaver Dam pepper. It would be really special if some people might come forward with some recommendations of local food.

How can the community get involved with Slow Food initiatives?

We would encourage them to begin to reach out and develop their own groups. They can go to our website.

Just cook with each other. Take the time to enjoy. Get together, and recognize what you’re eating. Volunteer.