Northern California has warmly embraced a growing trend in food production and consumption - the 'slow food nation'. The idea is simple: our reliance on our fast food culture has been harmful to our health, our environment, and our community. Revitalizing the concept of slow food, which includes being wholly invested in the growing, harvesting, and consuming of locally-produced food is a wonderful alternative.

One of the challenges of the slow food movement has been introducing it on a large scale in urban areas, where food production does not typically occur. Berkeley local Alice Waters has been instrumental in integrating slow food concepts into grade schools, citing the benefits of abandoning traditional school-cafeteria style food for healthier options. She has also spearheaded the slow food festival which will be taking place in the Bay Area at the end of the summer. Even San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is on board. He's turned the City Hall's background plaza into the 'Victory Garden', featuring a variety of fruits and vegetables which will be harvested at the end of the summer for food charities.

The  slow food movement emphasizes community involvement in one of our most basic fundamental human necessities. Producing locally helps mitigate environmental harm by reducing transportation expenses, the food is fresher, and by involving children at early ages, hopefully they take a greater interest in eating healthier as they grow up. The slow food nation is an important movement with tremendous benefits for everyone who participates.