The Italian Cultural Institute, Washington, D.C., the Italian Cultural Society, the SAIS Italian Society and US-Italy Global Affairs Forum, cordially invite you to a talk with Richard McCarthy – Executive Director of Slow Food USA, the Terra Madre movement and other local initiatives.
Join us on November 20th, 2016 at the Friendship Heights Village Center to meet Richard McCarthy. You will have the possibility to learn more about food sustainability, school gardens and biodiversity.
You’ve never heard of the world-wide Slow Food Movement? Well, for starters, have a look at this website: https://www.slowfoodusa.org/about-us, click on the SlowFood logo below for a video, and then come to the Nov. 20 Social Meeting at the FHVC to meet Mr. McCarthy, who is coming from NY to tell us all about it.
Of course, there is an Italian connection. Back in 1986 when Fast Food chains were making their appearance in Rome, a protest was organized by Carlo Petrini in the form of, for example, joyful “penne parties” to give positive expression to the value of locally produced, freshly made foods as against products produced industrially.
The Terra Madre movement, which grew from this and other like initiatives, invites us all to treat foods, their production, their preparation and their consumption in a way that is respectful of our common life on this planet.
Here are some key words: Good, Clean, Fair food; School gardens, Slow meat, Biodiversity.
We are sure you will find it interesting!
Richard McCarthy embodies the phrase “think globally; act locally.” He joined Slow Food USA as Executive Director in January 2013, having previously served as Executive Director of Market Umbrella, an internationally recognized non-profit mentor organization for farmers markets, community building and sustainable economic development. After Hurricane Katrina, Richard played a key role in restarting the local agricultural economy in the New Orleans area, aiming to help provide returning residents with a sense of normalcy and resilience through the revival of farmers markets.
From 2005-2007, Richard served as a founding President for the Farmers Market Coalition, the national voice for farmers markets, which contributed to the development of the US Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Promotion Program, yielding $32 million over seven years to farmers market innovation and professionalism.
Richard was named a “Hero of the New South” in 2012 by Southern Living Magazine and a “Public Health Champion” in 2004 by the Tulane University School of Public Health. He earned his master’s degree at the London School of Economics and his bachelor’s degree at Richmond, The American University of London. When he’s not dreaming up new projects, he enjoys playing squash, gardening and cooking vegetarian meals with his family at home.
LOCATION
Friendship Heights Village Center
4433 S. Park Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815