Food fans resurrect local Slow Food movement

We want to teach people where food is coming from. Food is not from a bag, its from the farm, its coming from the forest, said chef Cam Tran, the events co-organizer and owner of Caf ce Soir.

I want people to be more aware of what theyre eating and whats inside the food.

The original Winnipeg group went dormant about four years ago. The new group has taken over the Facebook and Twitter feeds to help revive the local scene.

Slow food is more than just cooking it slow and eating at home and supporting local business, said Anna Echols, a local food blogger and co-organizer.

Its enjoying your food, falling in love with your food again, savouring it, having conversation over the table as opposed to sitting in front of the TV while youre eating, she said.

Eating nutritious and delicious, local food is a bit of a breakout for potluck guest Ron Robinson. The 66-year-old was twigged to the movement after becoming a regular at Caf ce Soir and meeting Tran.

Besides great food, Robinson wants to see local restaurants survive.

The localslow food chapter needs a minimum of 20 founding members to earn official status from the international organization. An annual membership costs $90 per person or $110 for couples.

Tran said members will take tours of farms and restaurants to see how local food is grown, produced and transformed. They will learn how to forage and eat from the wild on field trips. Tran also hopes like-minded restaurateurs will offer discounts to members.