Membership Drive 2023

Aug 31, 2023 | Past Events

LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE, DELICIOUS

Are you passionate about good, clean, and fair food? Do you want to support small-scale farmers and preserve traditional food cultures?

Become a member of the Slow Food Movement! Our global network of food lovers works to promote local, sustainable, and delicious food, and we need your help to make a difference. As a member, you’ll have access to exclusive events, discounts, and educational resources. You’ll be part of a community that’s making a positive impact on the world. Join us today and start celebrating the joys of good, clean, and fair food!

September is Membership Month at Slow Food and as such we look forward to welcoming new members and celebrating our returning members.

Thank you for continuing to be part of the Slow Food East End community! We love seeing you at our events and having you involved in everything we do. One way you can help us move closer to transforming our world and guaranteeing good, clean and fair food for all is by becoming a member. For $60 per year, you can help fuel our efforts here on the East End and strengthen a number of programs, campaigns and initiatives that are changing our world’s oppressive and unsustainable food systems.

We urge you to make the pledge to support our work year-round. This year, we are excited to announce our new Evergreen membership. Instead of a one-time membership payment, you can now pledge to pay $5, $10, $15 or $20 per month to make it easier and more convenient for you to support our work.

Slow Food USA’s membership rates are going to increase in January 2024 to better support organizational efforts in the current economic environment. Join now to preserve the current membership rate!

Join or renew membership!

What does my membership pay for?
The Slow Food USA network of more than 80 local chapters cannot exist without support from our members! Here’s where your dollars go:

Engagement with our earth and heritage plants through our Plant a Seed program, which gives hundreds of free growing kits to schools across the US
Robust learning and growth with our national network around racial equity and justice through trainings, office hours, national book discussions and more
Annual programs like the School Gardens initiative, which sustains gardening programs in dozens of local schools
Support for the USA’s Ark of Taste, which identifies and preserves the stories and legacies of Indigenous and other important foods
News and storytelling content that amplifies a diverse array of voices and ideas from across the Slow Food movement
Administrative support for the complex needs of 80 volunteer-led chapters in the US, so that their initiatives and partnerships can thrive
Maintaining a small but mighty team of Slow Food USA employees, who lead and support these local, national and international efforts

A small portion of your membership dues to Slow Food USA are shared directly with our East End chapter to benefit the programs that we offer locally on the East End like Flour Power and Edible School Gardens.

Let’s nourish our connections and connect our foodways together.

Become a Member Today!

September 18-24: Join us for Negroni Week!

Aug 20, 2023 | Blog, Past Events

Join us for Negroni Week

SFEE is excited to announce that we will be participating in Negroni Week, a global celebration of this classic Italian cocktail, while also supporting the Slow Food Movement. During Negroni Week, which runs from September 18 to September 24th, select bars and restaurants from around the world will participate in Negroni Week in support of the global movement. Many will be featuring a special menu of Negroni variations and donating a portion of the proceeds to Slow Food, supporting our mission to promote sustainable, locally sourced, and traditional food of Slow Food.

The Negroni, a beloved cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, has been enjoyed for over a century. It has become a symbol of the Italian aperitivo culture and is loved by cocktail enthusiasts all around the world. Negroni Week was created to celebrate this iconic drink and raise funds for charitable causes.

For the past 10 years, Slow Food, Imbibe Magazine, and Campari have joined forces to increase their collective impact by using donations raised during Negroni Week to provide incubator grants for activities that support and promote good, clean, and fair food and beverage.

Our East End chapter just received a sizable grant in support of our Flour Power program – an initiative focused on providing high-quality, nutritious, and flavorful, home-baked bread to food pantries in our community.

Participating in Negroni Week is simple, here’s what you need to do:

Restaurants/Bars/Liquor Stores

Register your venue by visiting the Negroni Week website. Registration is open through September 9th. NW Link Donation of $25 or more to support the vital work of Slow Food!
During Negroni Week, celebrate by featuring the classic Negroni or your favorite variation.

Participants will be featured on the global Negroni Week website and have access to a range of promotional materials. SFEE will also promote the week by directing members to local participating establishments on the East End.

Individuals

Visit one of the participating locations during the Negroni week of September 18 to September 24th.
Enjoy a delicious Negroni.

The Slow Food Movement is a global organization that advocates for good, clean, and fair food for all. We believe in preserving traditional food cultures, promoting biodiversity, and supporting small-scale farmers and producers. By participating in Negroni Week, we are not only celebrating a beloved cocktail, and are also doing our part to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.

So mark your calendars and join us for Negroni Week! Come sip on delicious Negronis and support the Slow Food Movement. Together, we can raise a glass for a better future.

PARTNERSHIP

NEGRONI WEEK FUND

Thanks for Coming To Slow F.I.S.H

Aug 16, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Past Events

Seafood was on the menu and everyone’s mind as our Slow Food family and friends at the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center came together to enjoy a night to celebrate our unique East End Merroir. We tasted oysters from four different local merroirs and incredible fresh local seafood dishes, all paired with local wines while learning so much about sustainable fishing operations in our local waterways.

Our knowledgeable friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension located along the scenic shores of Cedar Beach in Southold study our local waters looking for solutions to keep them healthy, productive, and sustainable so they remain that way for years to come. Commercial and recreational harvesting of seafood is a way of life on Long Island so preserving the viability of this industry and essential food source is critical for our community and marine resources.

Presentations by Cornell Fisheries and Aquaculture specialists were informative and engaging. We learned about Cornell’s “Choose Local F.I.S.H.” (Fresh. Indigenous. Sustainable. Healthy) initiatives to encourage all to discover the variety of local fish choices Long Island has to offer.

Purchasing local seafood enables consumers to know the direct origin of their food. Increased marketing of local seafood supports the economic viability of our coastal fishing communities and small businesses and boosts the economic value of Long Island’s seafood industry while providing consumers with fresher and higher-quality seafood. When purchasing locally caught fish, you can be sure that fish is sustainably harvested and in compliance with U.S. and state regulations which are some of the strictest in the world. So do eat more local seafood!

Guests toured the amazing hatchery, where tens of millions of oyster seeds are hatched, raised, fed, and released each year. These remarkable shellfish are natural water purifiers, each adult filters about 50 gallons of water a day making oysters among the most sustainable seafoods on earth. The CCE hatchery has perfected nurturing the minuscule shellfish seeds in containment away from predators to be released when they reach adult size into local creeks and bays to promote wild settlement. The staff also developed the community SPAT program to enlist community members to learn to grow oysters. Over 1000 locals have taken part in the program so far, many going on to start their own oyster companies. If you are interested in fostering thousands or so babies, new SPAT memberships are available each year.

Four oyster companies provided shellfish, shucked to order by hatchery staff, it was wonderful to do side-by-side tastings to easily compare the distinct flavor differences between oysters harvested from farms in different local waterways. Served were: Davy Jones Shellfish, known for wild-caught and farm-raised oysters; Hampton Oyster Company specializing in deep-water, surface-grown oysters; Montauk Pearls which are seeded in Lake Montauk and followed by deep water finishing in Block Island Sound; and Peconic Gold Oysters which are raised in the beautiful Great Peconic Bay between the North and South forks.

No food tasting would feel complete without wine to accompany the flavors. From sparkling wine to white varietals, classic roses, and ruby reds everyone got to enjoy comparing a variety of wines donated by Long Island Wine Country wineries. We encourage all to enjoy the fruits of our local terroirs as LIWC celebrates 50 years of local viniculture this year.

The additional educational components rounded out the night’s festivities:

* We learned to filet a variety of local fish and to shuck like a pro!

* We were lucky enough to be able to ask the Cornell Marine experts all of our marine and aquaculture questions.

* We met artists and artisans who are inspired by the waters. Thank you Lisl Reuschle of Adrift Designs (@adrift_northfork) who creates art from beach finds, a special favorite was her handcrafted oyster spoons. Al Goldberg displayed his famous handmade custom fishing rods and discussed what rods were best for different waters and species. Al has been a member of the Slow Food East End family for years, he has taught so many local fishermen and hobbyists how to fish properly. Thank you to Rory MacNish, part of the Cornell family and an SFEE friend who donated art and his talents photographing the night.

Proceeds for this event helped support two amazing not-for-profit organizations, Slow Food East End Feed the Forks initiatives and Choose Local F.I.S.H programming.

Thank you to the local businesses who made donations to our raffle and auction:

Al Goldberg

Sea Adventures Day Camp

Choose Local FISH

Stefanie Villani, Author

The CCE SPAT Program

Sea Explorers Marine Camp

We owe a big, delicious thank-you to Lombardi Catering of Love Lane Market. The amazingly beautiful spread they prepared for this event, kept us all happy and satisfied. We really enjoyed savoring the elegantly prepared fresh local fish sliders, salads, and other dishes. Owner Lauren Lombardi is known for her hospitality and delicious locally sourced menus but Lauren has also long been a supporter of Slow Food East End and was previously on the board of Slow Food East End.

Thank you also to At Your Service Party Tents and Events for donating essential and helpful rentals for our special event. If you are located on the East End and looking to support a local business that is ready to take care of all your rental needs, give the new owner, Steve Winick a call AYSPR is located in Mattituck.

August 10: Slow F.I.S.H.

Jul 23, 2023 | Blog, Past Events

Taste and Explore our East End Merroir

Thursday, August 10, 6-8pm

Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center

3690 Cedar Beach Road, Southold, New York

$125 Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.

BUY TICKETS HERE!

Our knowledgeable friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program study our local waters looking for solutions to keep them healthy, productive, and sustainable so they remain that way for years to come. Commercial and recreational harvesting of seafood is a way of life on Long Island so preserving the viability of this industry and essential food source is critical for our community and marine resources.

You are invited to meet the Cornell Fisheries and Aquaculture specialists – passionate, informed people who are the heart of Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center in Southold. Learn about Cornell’s “Choose Local F.I.S.H.” Fresh. Indigenous. Sustainable. Healthy. This initiative encourages all to discover the variety of local fish choices Long Island has to offer. Learn why choosing locally harvested fish is so beneficial to the community, environment, and your health. Tour the amazing hatchery, learn more about the SPAT program and why oysters are among the most sustainable seafoods on earth, and find out more about local aquaculture. Best yet, taste edible delights harvested from our own merroir.

* Savor elegantly prepared fresh local fish tastings prepared by Lombardi Catering of Love Lane Market. Owner Lauren Lombardi is known for her hospitality and delicious locally sourced menus but Lauren has also long been a supporter of Slow Food East End and was previously on the board of Slow Food East End.

* Taste the succulent, distinct flavor differences between oysters harvested from farms from the Peconic Bay, the Long Island Sound and wild caught in deep waters. Enjoy: Davy Jones Shellfish, known for wild caught and farm raised oysters; Hampton Oyster Company specializing in deep-water, surface grown oysters; Montauk Pearls are seeded in Lake Montauk and followed by deep water finishing in Block Island Sound; and Peconic Gold Oysters are raised in the beautiful Great Peconic Bay between the North and South forks.
* Enjoy a variety of Long Island Wine Country Wines, celebrating 50 years of local viniculture.
* Learn to filet local fish and shuck like a pro!
* Tour the hatchery, learn more about oysters and scallops plus discover fresh, indigenous, sustainable, healthy seafood options to incorporate into your diet. You should know where your seafood comes from and why local is better than imported. We have so much to share with you!
* Ask the Cornell Marine experts all your marine and aquaculture questions.
* Meet artists and artisans who are inspired by the waters.

Your ticket purchase helps support two amazing not-for-profit organizations, Slow Food East End Feed the Forks initiatives and Choose Local F.I.S.H. – an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program aimed at raising awareness and increasing demand for local seafood. Purchasing local seafood enables consumers to know the direct origin of their food. Increased marketing of local seafood supports the economic viability of our coastal fishing communities and small businesses, and boosts the economic value of Long Island’s seafood industry while providing consumers with fresher and higher-quality seafood. When purchasing locally caught fish, you can be sure that fish is sustainably harvested and in compliance with U.S. and state regulations which are some of the strictest in the world. Purchase your tickets today and show your support for these valuable organizations!

BUY TICKETS HERE!

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July 11: Slow Hour at Macari Vineyards

Jun 16, 2023 | Past Events, Slow Hour

Summer is here and we’re ready to celebrate! All are welcome to join us Tuesday, July 11, at 5:30pm at Macari Vineyards in Mattituck for “Slow Hour,” Slow Food East End’s version of happy hour.

Interested in knowing more about the benefits of composting and various methods for home composting?

In the five East End towns, nearly 60 tons of food scraps are generated daily, with much of it ending up as waste! Reducing food waste is crucial for reversing global overheating, nearly 40 percent of food in the U.S. becomes trash, emitting toxic methane when left in landfills. Did you know that households contribute to a staggering 70% of landfill food waste? Composting is a simple and efficient way to remove food waste from landfills and benefit the environment.

The Long Island Organics Council has long encouraged reducing food waste and making compost as a beneficial lifestyle. We have invited LIOC, the Macari family (whose vineyard has received recognition for its composting program) and Mary Morgan, one of the founders of our Slow Food East End chapter (an expert on food waste solutions), to share in the conversation that evening.

The Macari Family’s waterfront farm, with sweeping views of the Long Island Sound, was established over 50 years ago. Since the first vines were planted in 1995, Macari Vineyards has been recognized as an industry leader in regenerative agriculture. The vineyard is home to a herd of cattle, used for composting, and grows grapes without the use of herbicides.

Although willing, many households are just not able to support a traditional compost system at their home. To help, counter compost units have been developed to dehydrate and grind food scraps to a small fraction of their original volume that is sterile, compact and usable as soil or compost amendments.

FoodCycle Science is one company that manufactures counter composters, they are establishing pilot programs to encourage more home composting across the U.S. The East End is where their next pilot program will be launched. To help promote this effort our July Slow Hour will also feature a presentation about FoodCycle Science. The goal of the pilot program is to track countertop-compost usage by households, the data will be used to encourage local municipalities to support food waste retention from our landfills.

The East End Countertop Recycler Pilot program is a partnership between the Long Island Organics Council and Food Cycle Science. The Pilot Program opens to the public on August 1, 2023. As a special partnership SFEE members are able to purchase a unit starting July 1st, 2023. During the “Early Snail Special” all members who purchase discounted FoodCycler units will also support Edible School Garden schools and food pantries. For every 50 participants who purchase a unit and take part in the trial survey, SFEE will donate a FoodCycler to a school or pantry. For information contact: Mary Morgan, EastEndCountertopRecyclerPilot@gmail.com

“Slow Food East End has been actively supporting composting efforts for years now,” said Mary Morgan. “Our dream was to build an audience among our local food growers and makers, from farmers to fishers, beekeepers to bread bakers, which our SFEE local chapter has achieved so wonderfully. We all know delicious food is based on healthy soil. The composter program helps us all recycle food scraps and regenerate our soils.”

To learn more, join us on July 11th at Macari Vineyards for our Slow Hour. Wine and snacks will be available for purchase, and joining the discussion is free.

Together we can further Slow Food’s mission to seek good, clean, and fair food systems for all while supporting schools and food pantries and promoting policy change that encourages municipalities to establish compost drop-off centers for each town and eliminate food waste from our landfills.

RSVP Here

June 28: Farm to Table Dinner at 1760 Homestead Farm

Jun 6, 2023 | Past Events

Help us raise funds to support Edible School Gardens on the East End with a honey-focused culinary feast!

A Farm-to-Plate Summer Dinner

at 1760 Homestead Farm

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 6pm-8:30pm

5412 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901

Celebrate the start of summer with a twilight dinner at the charming 1760 Farmstead. This moveable feast will feature flavors infused with their own farm-harvested honey. The night of feasting includes a farm tour aboard a tractor-pulled wagon and a chance to meet Promised Land Apiary owner Chris Kelly who tends the Homestead Farm hives and many more across the East End. Learn more about our favorite pollinator from this master beekeeper and taste fruits of the bees’ labor. 1760 Farm-harvested produce is the base of a delicious four-course meal prepared by the Kaiser family, the current stewards of this historic farm, established 1760.

Dinner includes a tasting of Long Island Wine Country wines, provided by premier local wineries celebrating a 50 years of wine making on the East End. Libations will include hand-crafted honey-infused mock-tails designed by Doublespeak mixologist Joe Coleman.