About Slow Food Nation

Slow Food Nation is a subsidiary non-profit of Slow Food USA and part of the international Slow Food movement. It was created to organize the first-ever American collaborative gathering to unite the growing sustainable food movement and introduce thousands of people to food that is good, clean and fair.

The first Slow Food Nation event took place in San Francisco from August 29 to September 1, 2008. Over 85,000 people participated in a Victory Garden, a farmers’ market, a food bazaar, tastings, workshops, lectures, film screenings and more. After the event, the consensus among contributors was that the next edition should take place in a location other than San Francisco and should reflect the nation’s growing awareness of food culture and the implications of our food system. Details about the next edition will eventually be announced on slowfoodnation.org and slowfoodusa.org.

Slow Food Nation is dedicated to creating a framework for deeper environmental connection to our food and aims to inspire and empower Americans to build a food system that is sustainable, healthy and delicious.

Staff

The following people were members of the team that organized Slow Food Nation 2008:

  • Layla Azimi, Communications and Parallel Programs Coordinator

    After graduating college, Layla worked as a public relations coordinator for the San Francisco Symphony and Straus Communications. At Straus, she had the opportunity to work with clients that ranged from an online organic floral retailer to organic premium denim jeans. It was at there that she developed her love for all things sustainable, local and organic. Most recently, Layla worked as an event coordinator where she planned events ranging from intimate dinner parties to large weddings. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Strategic Communications, emphasis in public relations.

  • Vera R. Ciammetti, Director of Operations

    Vera joins Slow Food Nation after working 20 years as Executive Director at various non-profits, building affordable housing throughout the Bay Area for low-income individuals. Vera brings her experience in working with local, state and federal regulators to Slow Food Nation. In addition, she has been an active member of Slow Food San Francisco, serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the Golden Glass Wine Event the past three years. Most recently, she founded the new Slow Food Convivium in Alameda.

  • Gabriel Cole, Taste Pavilions Assistant Manager

    Gabriel hails from a world of farms and kitchens having grown up in rural Vermont and studied with various chefs all over the country. He worked at three of Vermont’s most prestigious fine dining restaurants; opened a Jewish Kosher deli in Atlanta, Georgia; was a personal chef and restaurant consultant in Los Angeles; and opened three of Google’s illustrious cafes here in the Bay Area. His passion and drive have come full circle and he is now focused on bringing the message of sustainability and honesty about foods’ roots and cultural importance to children and anyone else willing to pay attention to what they put in their bodies. Viva los ninos.

  • Susan Coss, Communications Consultant

    Susan Coss has more than 10 years of public relations and communications experience. Currently a communications and marketing consultant, Susan advises companies focused on green building practices and sustainability. Previously, she worked with Breakaway Communications, developing and implementing media and communications strategy for start-up technology clients and with Market Street Partners, a boutique investor relations firm, handling clients such as Google and EFI. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics.

  • Jen Dalton, Parallel Programs Director

    Jen joins Slow Food Nation after a 15-year career in food publishing, political consulting and marketing communications. As an Indianapolis native, graduate of Indiana University and avid world traveler, Jen brings a deep connection to the heartland coupled with a rich understanding of world dynamics as they relate to food, the environment, and, of course, life’s simple pleasures. Her recent travels to New Zealand and Australia provided the inspiration and inclination to pursue studies in ecology, biodiversity, Permaculture and sustainable restoration. She is thrilled to bring her passion, leadership and organizational skills to the cause.

  • Vanessa DellaPasqua, Web Site Intern

    Vanessa was born into a culinary family and grew up in the restaurant business in Italy. She holds a Masters in Engineering from Universita’ di Bologna and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. Her entrepreneurial experience includes launching both a travel consultancy offering tailored culinary experiences “off the beaten path” in Italy, as well as a website focused on promoting her native Italian culinary culture to the Bay Area audience. Most recently, she was the Business Development Manager for an online media company focusing on ultra-luxury travel.

  • Talia Dillman, Design and Content Coordinator

    After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Economics and Global Studies, Talia spent time traveling, studying, cooking and eating in Italy. Joining Slow Food Nation in November 2007, Talia now focuses on coordinating Slow Food Nation’s team of Bay Area designers, architects and curators. Raised in Stinson Beach, California, Talia enjoys supporting her local community and brings to Slow Food Nation a deep commitment to and passion for simple, delicious, sustainable food.

  • Leigh Farris, Communications Consultant

    Leigh brings 10 years of communications and public relations experience. Most recently she served as Communications Director at CBS News, overseeing the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” “The Early Show” and “Face the Nation.” Leigh was previously PR Director for Court TV and Account Director at Goodman Media International in New York. Her experience also includes Ruder Finn in Chicago and DPW PR in Houston, where she handled a variety of consumer, technology and hospitality clients. Leigh graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

  • Anya Fernald, Executive Director

    Anya Fernald began her career in food working in rural development in southeastern Sicily developing cooperatives for artisan cheesemakers. She then spent four years working for Slow Food International in Italy, directing the Terra Madre 2004 Event Program for North America, and later working as the Program Director for the Slow Food Foundation. With the Foundation, Anya directed the International Presidia project, where her responsibilities included developing the vision and implementation of the international exposition area at Salone del Gusto, Slow Food’s biennial food and wine festival. Anya returned to her home state of California in 2005 to work as Program Director at the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), an association of farmers from across California. At CAFF, she led three primary projects active in six regions of California: a Farm-to-School program active in over 90 schools; a social venture produce distribution company; and the California Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign. Anya went on leave from CAFF in late 2007 to launch the inaugural edition of Slow Food Nation in San Francisco. A graduate of Wesleyan University, Anya spent a post-graduate year of study as a Thomas J. Watson Fellow. She has co-authored a book with Slow Food, and has written for numerous publications. At Slow Food Nation, Anya is responsible for directing all aspects of the event, including development and refinement of the event vision and strategy, event planning, marketing, and fundraising.

  • Molly Polk Hannon, Grassroots Outreach Intern

    Molly moved to the Bay Area in early 2008 from Virginia to pursue a career in the sustainable food movement. She holds a bachelors degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and has complemented her studies through various work at for profit international development firms and not for profit human rights organizations over the years. She joins Slow Food Nation with the strong belief in the movement’s ability to rebuild the connection between the environment and food. She is thrilled to put her passions and skills to work at Slow Food Nation.

  • Gordon Jenkins, Content Coordinator

    Gordon Jenkins develops content, recruits collaborators and coordinates events. He is organizing the Market, Soap Box and Youth Food Movement Program. Gordon grew up in Berkeley, CA and studied Literature at Yale University. He has worked as a student farmer and organizer for the Yale Sustainable Food Project and an assistant in Alice Waters’ Office at Chez Panisse.

  • Paige Lansing, Development Coordinator

    After graduating from Brown University, Paige Lansing moved to San Francisco to join the Bay Area food movement at Slow Food Nation. Her passion for food and justice has taken form as a promoter of all things good, clean and fair in fundraising efforts for the inaugural event. As the Development Coordinator, Paige works alongside Executive Director Anya Fernald to form partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. A strong background in education, event planning and public relations complement Paige’s role in development.

  • Nathan Leamy, Ticketing Coordinator

    Nathan joins Slow Food Nation after completing a Watson Fellowship studying how global changes in agricultural and economic policy have altered the consumption of traditional breads in Mexico, India, France, Italy, and Egypt. Nathan attended Deep Springs College where he studied politics and managed 152 acres of organically grown alfalfa. After Deep Springs, he graduated from Oberlin College where he majored in history. He spent time there working with the student cooperative association, eventually developing a housing and dining cooperative which focused on educating students to eat well. Nathan has spent time working for the government and various non-profits, including Food and Water Watch, a DC based advocacy organization and Slow Food Nation partner.

  • Cerise Mayo, Creating Leaders, Creating Change Program Manager

    Cerise served as the Director of Special Projects at Slow Food USA from 2002-2007. While there, she oversaw the coordination of the US Delegation to Terra Madre, a biennial meeting of farmers, food producers, chefs and academics held in Turin, Italy; founded and steered Slow Food in Schools, a national program of farm-to-school initiatives; and organized numerous public programs and events that highlighted the importance of sustainable food production and procurement in creating vibrant communities. Most recently, Cerise organized two one-day market events for New Amsterdam Public, a non-profit whose mission is to establish a year-round, indoor public market at the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan.

  • Lauren Mendez, NC, Justice Director

    Lauren is working closely with Roots of Change in planning Changemakers Day, as well as developing and implementing Slow Food Nations strategy to include a diverse yet aligned representation of the non profit community, whose work addresses the current issues around food justice, sustainable agriculture, health, and education. She previously worked with the Mendez Foundation as the Nutrition Specialist and Curriculum Developer for the Seeds of Nutrition, K-12 nutrition education program. Lauren holds a BFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, a Nutrition Consultant Certificate from Bauman College, and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition.

  • Erin Prideaux, In-Kind Sponsorship Coordinator

    After graduating from University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in both Business and Spanish, Erin spent time working in both marketing and sales and most recently, health care policy for minorities and migrant workers. However, she has always been passionate about traveling, cooking, food studies/culture, and especially the local food system. She decided to change careers and use her knowledge of forming business partnerships and strong relationships and apply it to promoting and supporting the slow food movement. Coming from a family background of farmers, Erin is excited to be part of Slow Food Nation and dedicated to creating a beautiful, delicious, and just food system.

  • David Prior, Youth Food Movement Coordinator

    David comes to Slow Food Nation from Australia via Italy. Working in and around the food industry while studying Fine Art, led to a career as a stylist working for Vogue Entertaining and Travel, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Delicious, Travel and Leisure and Inside Out. In 2006 he was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Gastronomic Science in Bra, Italy, at the heart of the Slow Food Movement. He will begin his graduating year this fall. He is passionate about the future of our food system and is excited to be working on the Youth Food Movement program at Slow Food Nation. He lives above a piazza, writes and shoots food and travel articles freelance and can usually be found at the farmers market.

  • Sarah Rich, Managing Editor

    Sarah is a writer and editor working where sustainability intersects with design, architecture, food, consumer culture and futurism. She is an editor at Dwell magazine, where she specializes in green building and manufacturing processes. Before joining Dwell, she was managing editor of Worldchanging, where she co-authored and edited the bestselling book, Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century (Abrams, 2006). Prior to her journalism career, Sarah was the chef at the Berkeley Art Museum’s Café Muse (once home to the Swallow Collective cafe), and worked as a television production assistant for the Food Network. She holds a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology from Stanford.

  • Naomi Starkman, Communications & Policy Director

    Naomi brings her extensive skills as a media consultant to The New Yorker, Condé Nast Portfolio, GQ and WIRED magazines. She was previously a senior publicist at Newsweek and the Director of Communications for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). From 1997 to 2000, she served as Deputy Executive Director of the S.F. Ethics Commission. Naomi works with various clients on food policy and advocacy and is an aspiring organic grower, having worked on several farms. She holds a double B.A. in International Relations and German from S.F. State University, and a J.D. from Santa Clara Law School.

  • Rebecca Sullivan, Taste Pavilion Manager

    Rebecca recently launched the Real Food Festival as Festival Manager in London, which attracted nearly 20,000 visitors in it’s first year. The festival was based on Slow Food principals good, clean and fair. It included nearly 500 small producers a chefs theatre, cookery school and 85 taste workshops. Rebecca has a food consultancy in London called Reap & Sow specialising in helping small producers and farmers grow their businesses as well as restaurant pr and being Editor at large for London’s new Fork magazine. Rebecca has also worked in the wine industry in business development and marketing and considers herself an urban farmer.

  • Amber Turpin, Office Manager

    Amber brings a degree in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz, her childhood in the Santa Ynez Valley dirt, and several years working as a cook on a farm resort along the Eel River and a baker for her own artisan cookie company, to contribute to Slow Food Nation. She continues to construct a career from many sources, currently working as office manager at Slow Food Nation, weekly food columnist for Metro Santa Cruz, and full service catering coordinator. A deep love of food and the way it can unite all people drives her to promote the joys of taste, community, and locality. Amber splits her time between urban San Francisco and an orchard she calls home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, providing a balance she is thrilled to find.

  • Sarah Weiner, Content Director

    During her two years working at Slow Food headquarters in Italy, Sarah Weiner wrote The Slow Food Companion, a publication that is made available to every Slow Food member. She was Alice Waters’ assistant for two years before becoming the first employee of Slow Food Nation, where she works with curators from the community – culinary innovators, writers and artisan producers to help fill Slow Food Nation with delicious foods and delectable stories. Sarah graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Economics and then attended the Slow Food-run Ital.Cook Higher Institute of Gastronomy.

  • Lena Zuniga, Agrarian Arts Coordinator

    Lena is working on building a new program within Slow Food Nation by engaging ethnic communities, non-profits and folklore organizations in celebrating and preserving agricultural traditions. She has previously worked designing and facilitating knowledge sharing processes and the use of new media for a variety of multicultural groups and non-profit organizations, especially within the social economy movement in Latin America. Lena graduated as a journalist and has a background on multimedia production and Human Rights.

Board of Directors

  • Katrina Heron, Chair of the Board

    Katrina Heron is a writer and editor and a director of the Chez Panisse Foundation. She has served as editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine, a senior editor of The New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines, and an editor of The New York Times magazine.

  • Josh Viertel

    Josh Viertel is a founder and director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. He aids in directing Yale’s transition to a local sustainable food program, oversees the Yale Farm and works to cultivate awareness and enjoyment of a meaningful food culture on campus. Josh sits on the board of directors for Slow Food USA and is secretary of the board of directors of Slow Food Nation.

  • Ragesh Tangri

    Ragesh Tangri, partner at Keker & Van Nest LLP, lives in Oakland and serves as treasurer of the board. He is a passionate food lover who became deeply involved in Slow Food Nation after hearing about the project during a delicious Berkeley Convivium Red Wattle Pig dinner.

Founder

Alice Waters

Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California, founder and president of the Chez Panisse Foundation, and international vice president of Slow Food, has championed local, organic farming as a chef and food activist for more than three decades. Her current work focuses on educational programs, such as the Edible Schoolyard and the School Lunch Initiative, that use food to nurture, teach and empower youth. Her most recent book is The Art of Simple Food.