Does food make us humans? What is a balanced meal in indigenous cosmologies? Do you know what is the favourite meal of people close to you and could you recreate it? Grab your favourite drink, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and settle in. Today, we’re diving deep into food, culture, health and identity with a very special guest. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elena Fusar Poli, researcher and lecturer in food anthropology at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. Elena takes us into her fieldwork with indigenous communities in Oaxaca, uncovering powerful insights about how food shapes who we are. This is not just a conversation about eating: it’s about belonging, memory, and meaning. So, get cozy, and let’s begin this fascinating journey together. Host & Production: Valentina Gritti Guest: Elena Fusar Poli (researcher and lecturer in food anthropology at UNISG) With interventions of Alejandra Silva, Rachael Olajumoke and @tantamvv. Music: Leonardo Prieto A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
We all drink it, but its journey is as clear as the beverage itself: Coffee.How can we make its chain shorter? What does it look like when you start a small scale coffee roastery? How does the origin of the coffee impact its taste? How is the price of coffee regulated on an international level? Today we will talk about coffee. In particular we will have a nice conversation with Francesco Anastasi. Francesco graduated at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo Italy in 2014, where we also got to know each other (I studied at UNISG myself). After working for 7 years at Slow Food International, he has founded together with his partner Gabriella, Santaromero, single origin Colombian coffee roastery based in Turin. So pour yourself your favourite brew and let’s get over to Francesco! Host & Production: Valentina Gritti Guest: Francesco Anastasi (UNISG alumno and co-founder of Santaromero coffee roastery) Music: Leonardo Prieto Chat with us on our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
What does the life of a plastic-free shopper look like? Why is plastic in food so concerning? What are some tips to reduce packaging waste? Today we talk about plastics. In particular we will have a nice chat with Suri, a digital creator also known as @dazingsoul who is a plastic-free shopper and who joined us during our Planting The Future campaign. Suri will give us some tips on how to buy less plastic especially when it comes to food and we will also talk about why we should put effort into it. Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guest: Suramy Gomez, @dazingsoul Music: Leonardo Prieto A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
When describing a kitchen in a western society, one of the first things you’d think of is the fridge. But can we live without refrigerators? Why should we even consider it? What are other ways to preserve food and drinks? Today we talk about something a bit special regarding a Slow lifestyle: have you ever thought you can live without a refrigerator? Sandro and Emma, in Italy, gave it a try for a period of time. Also Bashir in Karamoja, Uganda has grown up and lives in a community where having a fridge is not really common. Are you curious to get to know their stories and get inspired? Host and production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Sandro Donda, Emma Lercari (artists and musicians) and Bashir Ochen (spokesperson of his indigenous pastoralist community in Karamoja, Uganda). Song Played: "Passo Passo" by Garuda band (the band of Sandro and Emma). Do you wanna know more about Bashir's story? You can listen to one of our first podcasts with him: "Voices from the roots: Ochen Umar Bashir" https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JsC1dLkPT4FnzLuJWcRC4?si=-TILZbjyQfa_bEWx0kkc7w Join Planting The Future: https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
In this episode of the Slow Food podcast, we talk about modern slavery in the food chain. From exploited seasonal workers in Italy’s tomato fields to the global cacao market, we dig into how injustice hides in plain sight. We hear from Manlio Larotonda, an Italian gastronome and alumnus of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, who moved to Colombia to start a more just and transparent cacao project. And from Giulia Gianguzza, who works directly with migrant workers in Sicily. This episode isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Understanding where our food comes from means acknowledging the human cost behind it — and doing better. Guests: Manlio Larotonda (cacao Disidente founder and UNISG alumnus) and Giulia Gianguzza (social worker at Sportello Sans Papiers) Host and production: Valentina Gritti Music: Leonardo Prieto Join Planting The Future: https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
How can we eat in a sustainable way at home? Do we need to come to compromises when we have small children? Does eating well always mean spending more money? And how can we introduce more plants into our daily meals? I am very excited to introduce you to the guests of the podcast of today: Chiara and Nicholas, young parents who will share with us how they live in a Slow lifestyle with a daughter of 4 and one about to come and Maria Camila, from @Maca_bites who will give us some practical tips on how to introduce more plants into our meals. Guests: Chiara Flora Bassignana (researcher at UNISG), Nicholas Panayi (agroecology consultant) and Maca (plant-based diet ambassador) Host and production: Valentina Gritti Music: Leonardo Prieto Useful links: Follow Nicholas Panayi on @yesroots And Maca on @Maca_bites Join Planting the Future: https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== A project by Slow Food Youth Network
How does fermentation prevent food from getting spoiled? Is fermentation always safe? What are some practical tips to start fermenting for the first time? Since April 26th is World Disco Soup Day, our biggest campaign to reduce food waste all over the world, In today’s episode we want to deepen one of the methods that can help us save our food. I am talking about fermentation and today we have the pleasure to chat about it with some fermentation experts from the Slow Food movement. This podcast episode is aiming to slow your food habits down, build up your virtual bookshelf for the Planting the Future campaign, where we focus on rediscovering your connection with food and follow a journey that enriches your knowledge while shaping your values. Ready for some practical tips on how to make your food alive? Guests: Nahuel Buracco (Pollenzo Food Lab UNISG coordinator), Sandor Katz (Fermentation revivalist) and Oliver Kienast (chef at Wild Mountain Dinners) Host and Post-production: Valentina Gritti Co-host: Addison Austin-Lou Music: Leonardo Prieto More information on World Disco Soup Day: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16xUGb7W4NljulIVoMOdZy2ZIUTaYChxy?usp=drive_link Join Planting the Future! https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== Tell us what you think in our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network
In this new episode of Slow Food, the Podcast, we’re talking about how to cook from scratch. Valentina Gritti and Addison Austin-Lou sit down with Bob Dickinson (@fromscratchwithbob), a digital creator focussing on conscious consumption and whole food and journalist Michael Moss to share real, practical tips on how to stay away from processed foods. If you’re trying to eat better and slow down your life, this one’s for you! JOIN PLANTING THE FUTURE: https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== Share your tips in our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network
Do you really need to spend a lot to eat well? Or is it possible to eat good, clean, and fair food without going over budget? In this new episode of Slow Food, the Podcast, we’re talking about how to eat Slow without spending a fortune. Valentina Gritti and Addison Austin-Lou sit down with Guusje Weeber communication manager of SFYN Netherlands and journalist Michael Moss to share real, practical tips on how to shop smarter, waste less, and make the most of what’s in season. If you’re trying to eat better without spending more, this one’s for you! JOIN PLANTING THE FUTURE: https://ig.me/j/AbZhBdCs9GKVkN_i/?igsh=MTFwYnV4eDZ1NHZneg== Share your tips in our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network
Eating sustainably in a big city sounds impossible, right? What if we told you it’s not — and that ancient floating farms might be the answer? In our latest episode, we grab coffee with food activist Raúl Mondragón to chat about: Chinampas: 1,000-year-old floating farms still feeding Mexico City; why local vendors sometimes skip local food for cheaper options across town; easy ways YOU can support sustainable food without leaving your neighborhood. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat Slow in a fast-paced world — this episode is for you. Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guest: Raúl Mondragón Segura (SFYN activist, researcher, entrepreneur and agroecology consultant in Mexico City). Featured song: "Poder Prieto" di Son de Aquí Links: Raúl profile: https://www.instagram.com/ruleish/ Colectivo Ahuejote: https://www.instagram.com/colectivoahuejotemx/ Project Cocina Colaboratorio: https://www.instagram.com/cocina_colaboratorio/ Mentioned food spots: Yema supermarket, Numu market, Mercado Alternativo Tlalpan, Cucina Matte, Raíces centro cultural. Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network
In the EU there are a whole host of pesticides that are banned for being too hazardous, either to human health or the environment or both. This means that they cannot be used here. But did you know that these are still produced on EU soil and then exported to other countries, and did you know that the food produced from those pesticides is than imported back into the EU and ends up on our plates? Let’s dive into this, join our final episode of the year with our guests: Mathilde Dupré, co-director of the Veblen Institute John Clarke, former director for international relations at the European Commission and former head of the EU Delegation to the World Trade Organization in Geneva Kara Mackay, campaigns coordinator for the NGO Women on Farms Project in South Africa Host: Natasha Foote Post-production: Jonathan Rémy Music: Leonardo Pietro Durantes and Jonathan Rémy Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/+xSzaZeIyCUM1NjJk Slow Food, the Podcast is a project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN). Financed by the European Union. The contents of this podcast are the sole responsibility of the author and CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
How can we make our celebrations more sustainable without losing the festive vibe? What about decorations, presents, fireworks and food? And finally, shall we think about a slow lifestyle as a new year’s resolution? We are getting closer to the end of the year and big celebrations are about to begin. In today’s episode I will hold a conversation with my colleagues from the Slow Food Youth Network office, Jorrit Kiewik and Elena Lucchiari, on how we can make our celebrations and holidays more Slow… Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Jorrit Kiewik (Director of Slow Food Youth Network and part of the board of directors of Slow Food International), Elena Lucchiari (SFYN campaign and community coordinator). Music: Leonardo Prieto Dorantes Join our Telegram group to get in contact with us: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, yet it's disappearing at an alarming rate—with habitats fragmented and up to a million species at risk. Agriculture is a key driver of this crisis, but is it a central focus in global biodiversity solutions? In this episode, we delve into the recent United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, with insights from experts who were on the ground. Was there an agri-food flavor to the discussions? What were the key takeaways, and did this COP live up to its promises—or was it just for show? Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of agriculture, biodiversity, and global policymaking, with our guests: Edward Davey, Head of the World Resources Institute Europe's UK office Lim Li Ching, co-chair of IPES-Food and senior researcher at Third World Network (TWN) Hazel Healy, De Smog’s UK Editor in Chief Host: Natasha Foote Post-Production: Jonathan Rémy Music: Leonardo Prieto Dorantes and Jonathan Rémy Follow @SlowFoodEurope on X, and join our Telegram group: https://t.me/+xSzaZeIyCUM1NjJk A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN) Financed by the European Union. The contents of this podcast are the sole responsibility of the author and CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
What choices lie behind the food we eat in our public canteens, in our schools, hospitals, retirement homes and workplaces? And how can we ensure that the healthiest, most sustainable options end up on our public plates? In this episode, agrifood journalist Natasha Foote talks you through the world of public procurement, with the help of: Peter Defrancheschi – Head of the ICLEI Brussels office Renata Lukasova – Slow Food member, hospitality expert and director of food catering helping to run school canteens in the Czech Republic Jannie Vestergaard – Slow Food member, food systems expert and food nutritionist Thomas Waitz – Green MEP and farmer Host: Natasha Foote Post-Production: Jonathan Rémy Music: Leonardo Prieto Dorantes and Jonathan Rémy Follow @SlowFoodEurope on X, and join our Telegram group: https://t.me/+xSzaZeIyCUM1NjJk A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN) Financed by the European Union. The contents of this podcast are the sole responsibility of the author and CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
“Slow Food Goes Brussels” is back, and there’s a new voice behind the mic! Meet Natasha Foote, an agrifood journalist, ready to guide you through the hottest debates in the EU food world. In this month’s episode, we dive into: What’s been brewing over the summer The big challenges EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will face in her second term How the new shape of the European Parliament will affect future policies The buzz around the strategic dialogue on agriculture that everyone is talking about, what it is, and how that will help form the basis of policymaking going forward As Brussels gears up for the start of another 5-year political cycle, Slow Food Goes Brussels brings you up to speed for the fun to come over the next few months and years, with the help of: Alan Matthews, Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Marta Messa, Secretary General Slow Food Geneviève Savigny, Farmer and representative for European Coordination Via Campesina Host: Natasha Foote Production: Jonathan Rémy A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN) Financed by the European Union. The contents of this podcast are the sole responsibility of the author and CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Can a farm be Slow? And could it also be a tool for activism and political change? In this episode, we explore the amazing potential of Slow Food Farms—a new program that’s helping transition our food systems toward sustainability through agroecology. Join us as we chat with changemakers from Mexico, Uganda, and Sweden who are working to make the world of food good, clean, and fair for everyone. Whether you’re a farmer or just passionate about sustainable food, this episode is for YOU! Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Edward Mukiibi (President of SF International), Santiago Aguilar Zilli (agroecological farmer in Mexico), Michaela Saax (chairwoman of Slow Food Stockholm) Music: Leonardo Prieto More about Slow Food Farms: https://www.slowfood.com/slow-food-farms/ Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
Which books can inspire us to cook and to think? What are great reading suggestions for this summer? This episode is the second part of the episode we published last Wednesday with a lot of reading suggestions for your summer holidays. Also today we are going to listen to reading tips from activists and leaders in the Slow food movement and again, I am going to add time-stamps below so that if you want, you can directly jump to the suggestion you are interested in. So enjoy this episode and enjoy reading! Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Marta Messa (Secretary General at Slow Food International), Benedetta Gori (Ethnobotanist), Bilal Sarwari (Interim director at Slow Food USA), Paola Nano (press and editorial manager at Slow Food International). Music: Leonardo Prieto Books and time-stamps: "Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood (02:44) Kids book: “Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street” by Felicita Sala (05:08) “Eating to Extinction” by Dan Saladino (10:29) “Braiding sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer (13:46) “The Broken Earth Trilogy” by N. K. Jemisin (16:36) “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry” by Austin Frerick (25:31) Wanna share your reading suggestion for a Slow summer? Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
Which books can inspire us to cook and to think? What are great reading suggestions for this summer? Today's episode is all about reading suggestions for your summer holidays which we got from activists and leaders in the Slow food movement. This episode is split in two, because we received a lot of super interesting suggestions and I personally didn’t want to cut out any of them. Enjoy this episode and enjoy reading! Host & production: Valentina Gritti; Guests: Elena Lucchiari (Slow Food Youth Network activist), Nicholas Panayi (Nico The Home Farmer) and Maria René Parada (sociologist and gastronome); Music: Leonardo Prieto Books and time-stamps: "Entangled Life” by Merlin Sheldrake (01:59) “Field Guide to Urban Gardening” by Kevin Espiritu (10:20) “Grow Bag Gardening” by Kevin Espiritu (13:33) "Flavour Thesaurus 1 and 2" by Niki Segnit (17:42) “The Art & Science of Foodpairing” by Peter Coucquyt, Bernard Lahousse and Johan Langenbick (21:58) “The Life of the Bee” by Maurice Maeterlinck (23:38) “Agitadoras de buen gusto: historia del sindicato de culinarias” by Ana Cecilia Wadsworth and Ineke Dibbits (26:10) “Like water for chocolate” by Laura Esquivel (30:09) Wanna share your reading suggestion for a Slow summer? Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/slowfoodthepodcast A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)
How can we re-establish and reinforce the relationship between humans and nature? What is the role of food in this? Can a better relationship with nature help us tackle the climate crises? Why shall we tell the stories of communities preserving nature? In today's episode we’ll look at why and how we should reconnect with nature. We’ll have a special eye on agroecology and biodiversity preservation and we’ll get to know some examples from communities who live in harmony with their natural surroundings. Host & Production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Francesco Sottile (Slow Food International board of directors), Dan Saladino (journalist, broadcaster and author of the book "Eating to extinction") and Claudia Ranja (spokesperson of SF Târgu Mureş – Marosvásárhely Community) Music: Leonardo Prieto Useful links: Terra Madre event: https://2024.terramadresalonedelgusto.com/en/ Slow Food Brief on Agroecology: https://www.slowfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/240627_EN_Agroecology-A-Slow-Food-Brief-2.pdf Previous podcast on agroecology: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DXi2ZJmHKV7fuf3x4Piu7 Join our Telegram group: https://t.me/+xSzaZeIyCUM1NjJk A project by Slow Food Youth Network
Which pedagogical tools can help reconnect children to nature? How can schools, teachers and parents take action to change the current educational systems? What are the effects of food education on our kids? In today's episode we’ll look at different educational instruments, which can help children reconnect with food and nature, in particular in schools. Host & production: Valentina Gritti Guests: Barbara Nappini (SF Italy president), Ai Onodera (co-Director of SOKKA, Ocean & Forest School) and Bruno Smadja (Mobile Film Festival director). Music: Leonardo Prieto Useful links: - Petition to ask for compulsory food education in schools (Italy): https://www.slowfood.it/comunicati-stampa/appello-col-cibo-si-educa-col-cibo-si-cambia/ - Mobile Film Festival: https://www.youtube.com/mobilefilmfestival - Interested in the Food on Film project? Write to education@slowfood.it - More on Sokka forest and Ocean school: https://vimeo.com/315557265 A project by Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN)