Hello Everyone. I hope this finds you enjoying the soggy, sweet spring and you have something (at the very least dandelions) to eat growing in your garden. Please find below information on upcoming events and a few things to make you laugh.

At the risk of sounding desperate... I'm desperate for help to pull off a couple of events that are critical to the growth of Slow Food and health of our community.

TIN CUP CHALLENGE:

As most of you know the second annual Tin Cup Challenge Fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, July 18. . This year we have non-profit status, thus we now can participate in this annual fund-raising event. This event will be on Saturday, July 18th. Each non-profit must provide 20 hours minimum of volunteer time.  We need your help to fulfill this obligation. There are many ways for you to participate. You can help out with set-up/clean-up, or with registration, food prep, entertainment, putting out banners and signs, staffing aid stations and at the booth. You can check out the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TETON VALLEY website to see how you might help and let me know.

Of course we also appreciate your financial contributions!

TIME FOR LUNCH CAMPAIGN:

Childhood obesity and diabetes rates have risen dramatically over the last decade and health care costs continue to escalate.  We have an opportunity to make a difference!  We are going to convince our legislators to bring real food into our national school lunch program.  Whether you’re a mom, student, activist, farmer, grandparent or Slow Food member, you can help make our collective voices heard.

Slow Food USA’s “Time for Lunch” campaign is an opportunity to take action in whatever form you can.  We are organizing the Teton Communities to join the rest of the country on Labor Day, September 7 to share a potluck meal with their neighbors.  This will be a defining moment to help send a clear message to our nation’s leaders that our children deserve better school lunches. This National Eat-In is our opportunity to take a stand about the food our children eat in school, and where they food is purchased. Please let me know if you can help organizing these simple but powerful community potlucks.

Please let me know ASAP how you can help with either of the above events. sue@ecogastronomy.org or 208.787.2610

$$$ FOR YOUR VOTE

Show support for your favorite Nonprofit Organization by nominating them in the Silver Star Communication's Community Giving Challenge. The organization in each Teton Valley and Star Valley, with the most nominations, will receive a $500 donation from Silver Star. Vote Here

Thanks for supporting Slow Food in the Tetons!

As part of our Sustainable Living Series, Blaire Kribs and family have agreed to share their knowledge of raising and milking a family cow and other farm animals and food on SATURDAY, JUNE 25 at 9:30 am. You'll be inspired to experience the ongoing process of creating a family farm in Driggs. They are the 3rd house on the right past the Teton River (west of the river) on Packsaddle Road. They share a long driveway and are on the right at the end of the driveway. No RSVP is necessary.

Slow Food in the Tetons will be sponsoring a Pie Making and Tasting Contest during this year's Tin Cup Challenge on Saturday, July 18. We will be judging pies and giving awards for the following categories: Best Overall, Best Local Ingredient, Best Savory Pie, Most Artistic, Best Heritage Recipe. Everyone is encouraged to enter and stop by for a taste. To enter your pie, please drop it off at our booth on Saturday morning along with a recipe (assuming you are willing to share!). More details to come.

Please join us this summer to show your appreciation and promote organic farming and sustainable wellness in Teton Valley Idaho.

On The Farm is a series of six nights of fine dining, education and above all, a family style gathering at Blue Flax Farm, the oldest organic farm in the valley. Each week Chef Eric Henderson of Dining In Catering will be showcase a different a local farm, and create a menu based on what they can provide that week, The rest of the ingredients- dairy, meat, beverages, and additional produce will all be purchased locally. On The Farm will be working with Slow Food in the Tetons, Full Circle Education, and other sustainable projects to give them time to present projects and share information with guests.

Dinner will start at 6:30 with passed apps and beer and wine. Guests are encouraged to wonder the gardens and let their kids mingle in the stream. A plated farm-style menu will take place shortly after 7pm; beer and wine is included in the price. Reservations are needed and seating is limited to 50 people; groups and families are welcomed. Price $65 per/person, kids between 5-12 are$25, under 5 free.

Keep your eyes out for more details or contact Eric Henderson at eric.hende@gmail.com

I have had a number of businesses ask me where they can buy potatoes directly from a local farm. Seems like a no brainer...but I have no idea. Anyone? Let me know- or if you know of other products that restaurants can buy direct.

Grocery Store Wars   Not long ago in a supermarket not so far away... Help fight the dark side of the farm. A little pro-organic propaganda...

The Story of Stuff    Ok, this isn't funny- but very powerful if you have never seen it. Kid's get it so share it with them.

PS: While Slow Food is not really an "ORGANIC" organization, we do all we can to promote GOOD, CLEAN, FAIR FOOD.