Tag Archives: Slow Food

The Green Weekend Guide, November 4th, 2011

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Alden Wicker

Last night cleanhippie.net was down. (Not my fault, it was the hosting service’s.) So I’m just getting this up now. And in the interest of getting my butt out the door and to dinner, no pretty pictures. You’ll live.

Blue Moon Bash

Sunday, November 6th, 3-8pm
Blue Moon Fish is throwing a bash for its farmer friends whose land was flooded during Hurricane Irene. Live bands, a raffle and delicious food like chowder and Brooklyn Brewery Beer will all be there to tempt you.

Why? One hundred percent of the benefits from the event will benefit the farmers $20; purchase tickets here.

Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave. (at Sterling Pl.), Brooklyn;

bluemoonbash.org

the s(low) down Slow Food Annual Fundraiser Gala

Buy tickets now for November 16th, 7-9:30pm

Slow Food, the best thing to come out of Italy since Italian food itself, will be celebrating a year of accomplishments and handing out awards to those who have been working to make the food system more clean and fair (and dare I say, delicious?). Enjoy artisanal cocktails, a whole pig roasted by Fatty ‘Cue, and other seasonal treats.
Why? Proceeds from the gala will go to the Urban Harvest program.
General admission $100, buy tickets here.

The Invisible Dog Gallery, 51 Bergen Street, Brooklyn

Free Lululemon Yoga Classes

Every Sunday, 10am

Grab your mat and get your stretch on for free at the UES Lululemon store in open level classes.

Why? It’s free. (As long as you make it out of the store without buying new butt-enhancing pants.)

1127 3rd Avenue (at 66th Street), Manhattan

Details here.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park

Friday until 10pm; Saturday 8am–midnight; Sunday-Wednesday, 8am–10pm

The pond is back open and ready for your romantic date (or friend catch-up) over hot chocolate. Read more about it.

Why? It’s way less cliché and way less crowded than Rockefeller Center. Plus free if you have your own skates. (I know you don’t, but indulge me here.)

Sixth Ave (between 40th and 42nd Sts), Manhattan

citipondatbryantpark.com

At the Amsterdam Market: Leather Discussion

Sunday, November 6th, 3:30-4pm

Join Makalé Faber-Cullen, proprietor of Lore and Wilderness of Wish, as she discusses how she and her business partner, cattleman Will Harris, produce sustainably and domestically tanned Faber-Harris leather using hides from White Oak Pastures, the Harris family’s 145-year old ranch.

Why? So you can have a new thing to feel guilty about (hint: your pretty leather boots.)

 New Amsterdam Market School (224 Front St.), Manhattan

Grass-Fed Buffalo Dinner

Monday, November 7th, 7pm

In conjunction with the Meat Symposium, join us for a special dinner at the newly opened Sauce Restaurant, the latest creation from Chef Frank Prisinzano of Frank, Lil’ Frankie’s and Supper. For the dinner, Frank will prepare a traditional Bollito Misto featuring five different cuts of Wild Idea grass-fed buffalo slowly braised and accompanied by classic condiments like salsa verde, salsa rossa, and mostarda di Cremona. The dinner will be accompanied by a variety of appetizers, sides, and two wines, Barolo “Le Coste” (Guidobono, 2007) and Barbera “Furtani” (Cerdero di Montezemolo, 2008).

Why? Nose to tail? That was so last year.

$110 per person. Purchase tickets here.

Sauce Restaurant (78-84 Rivington St.), Manhattan

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Green NYC Events, Weekend of October 7th, 2011

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Alden Wicker

dinner queens farm oktoberfestOktoberfest Dinner on the Farm

Tonight, October 7th, 6-10pm
Get away from the city without actually leaving it by attending a hearty Oktoberfest dinner at the Queens County Farm Museum’s Adriance Farmhouse. The event features plenty of sausage and other good food, beer and live music.
Why: I’ve been at Oktoberfest, and I’ve been on a farm. They’re both quite fun and the combination should be stellar.
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
queensfarm.org
$50. Buy tickets here.

ring by Gretchen JonesGretchen Jones on Sale

Find eco-designer and Project Runway finalist Gretchen Jone’s Fall 2011 collection online at Steven Alan. It’s highly edited (read: not much to choose from) but didn’t you know that choice doesn’t equal happiness?
Why? Her edgy sparkly rock jewelry and jumpsuit is all you need to wear on a nippy Friday night to impress.
$219 to $595, pick up it up here.

SLOW U: Sustainable Sashimi

Tuesday, October 11, 6-8pm
The event will feature a tasting of four fish species from local Montauk waters, which could include Yellowfin Tuna, Swordfish, Scallops, Fluke, Striped Bass, Golden Tilefish, and Porgy, depending on what the fishermen catch the day before. Chef Katie O’Donnell, of Esca, will serve the fish in its raw form while attendees enjoy local wine. Sea to Table co-founder Sean Dimin will tell the story behind the catch.
Why? Proceeds from this event, hosted by ICE, will help support the activities of Slow Food NYC, including the Urban Harvest programs of good food education for NYC kids.
Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), 50 W. 23rd St. between 5th & 6th Ave, Manhattan
SFNYC members – $25 / non-members – $35. Buy tickets here.

image by Gabriel Radic on Flickr

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Green NYC Events, Weekend of September 16th, 2011

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Alden Wicker

Aaaaand I’m back. Apologies for my lack of weekend event postings. I just … you know, work, um, life, um … that stuff. Anyway, here are your delicious, karmic, and green events this weekend in New York City!

Fourth Annual NY Craft Beer Week

Today, September 16th through Sunday, September 25th

What: Purchase a $10 paper or smartphone passport and you’ll gain access to $3 brews at more than 110 bars, plus more deals on drafts, bottles and home-brew kits. Or you could buy one-off tickets to events like Freaktoberfest and a Sixpoint Craft Ales Beer Dinner at Colicchio & Sons.

Why? If you’re going to drink beer, make it a craft brew, not a corporate one.

All over NYC

nycbeerweek.com

via Tasting Table

Slow Food $5 Challenge

You might have heard about Slow Food USA’s $5 Challenge — get together to share a slow food meal that costs less than $5/person this Saturday, September 17. But you don’t have to do all the organizing yourself. Slow Food NYC has arranged three events:

$5 ‘Wichcraft

All day Friday

I f’n love ‘Wichcraft. Their tasty and greenmarket-y sandwiches have been ruining my food budget since I started working around the corner from the Noho location. Fortunately for me, on Friday they are offering a $5 sandwich to support Slow Food at all of their 13 Manhattan locations.

Why? Delicious, sustainable, cheap. Rarely does this trifecta emerge.

Any ‘Wichcraft location

Governor’s Island Potluck

Saturday, September 17th, 1pm

What: A potluck of like-minded foodies/activitists. All you need to bring is:

  • Yourself
  • Plate/utensils/serving utensils
  • A red/white/red&white tablecloth or sheet
  • A dish to share with 3-6 people that costs under $5 to make

Why? Meet some new people and get some cheap yet sustainable food.

You can RSVP for the Governor’s Island potluck here.

Picnic point, Governor’s Island (read more about the island here.)

COLORS Restaurant Dinner and Discussion

Saturday, September 17th, 6 to 10pm

What: COLORS Restaurant is offering a $5 “Values Meal” that’s good for you, good for food workers and farmers, and good for the planet. Along with dinner, there will be a discussion on transforming the restaurant industry’s “fast food” values of low-wages and no benefits into “slow food” values of living wages and fair treatment.

Why? Get a delicious dinner and learn more about slow food values.

Click here for more info and to RSVP.

Wanderlust Williamsburg

Saturday, September 17th

What: It’s an indie festival and yoga class rolled into one. The result, as I understand, will breathe some fresh air into your life, and while you’re trying to be a better person, you might misbehave too.

Why? I hear both hipsters and yogis are pretty into being sustainable. You can’t go wrong.

Tickets for the yoga classes are sold out, unfortunately, but you can still snag some for the music performance of Forro in the Dark and Karsh Kale for $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Tickets here.

Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday, September 17th, 10am to 4pm

What: Tekserve has teamed up again with the Lower East Side Ecology Center to offer free electronics recycling. Recyclable items include computers, monitors, fax machines, copiers, DVD or VCR players, radios, telephones, cell phones, televisions, cameras, and stereo equipment from residents, small businesses, and not-for-profits.

Why? You know that old cell phone you have sitting around? Better here than in the landfill!

Tekserve, 119 W 23rd Street, NYC 10011 

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Haute Fashion Takes a Tentative Step Toward Green (?)

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Alden Wicker

A fresh look cropped up on spring’s runways: laid-back and wholesome, even slightly crunchy, and encompassing whatever you might wear to forage for lovage or stock up on celeriac on your market rounds. It isn’t bohemian as we’ve known it, full of flash, spangles, and fantasy, but gentle, pared-down, and vaguely hippieish.

And thus Vogue‘s Jessica Kerwin Jenkins introduces us in December’s issue to the fact that designers are so excited about green living, they’re using it to promote the next season of disposable fashion.

That is, in fact, what you sign up for if you intend to run after every season’s “look” whether it is futuristic, spangly or sparkly, or even “vaguely hippieish:” Buy, wear five times, dump. I immediately bristled at the article, muttering “Great, they’re ripping off the green movement to sell more clothing.” Indeed, even if any of the shoes and bags she mentions are made of organic or sustainable materials in the U.S., Ms. Jenkins fails to mention it.

But perhaps I’m being too cynical here. I’m certainly not the kind of girl that does all her shopping in a thrift store or even holds myself hostage to only organic and sustainable clothing (there’s not enough out there to build a good wardrobe, to be honest), and maybe I should be grateful for Derek Lam’s and Michael Kors’ nod to the kind of lifestyle that includes greenmarket shopping, with oversize totes and sensible yet stylish shoes. After all, these brands are all known for their classically-styled pieces that will be chic for years and years to come. If I were to choose designers with which to update my closet, they seem as good as any, right? Kors, one of my favorite designers, knows this.

“The greenest thing you can do in fashion,” Kors points out, “is to buy something great that you’re going to use for years.”

And earlier in the article, Lam made me do a double-take:

In the same way, the slow-food movement has led designers like Lam to think about slow fashion. New York City’s new cycling lanes and public bike-rental initiatives in Milan and Paris have changed our pace, he says, introducing us to the delights of the slow lane and provoking a shift in our fashion psyches.

Yes, yes yes! Thank you Mr. Lam – and I’m not being sarcastic here – for endorsing the idea that a fashionable woman can be seen riding downtown with a pair of kitten heels pushing the pedals of her old bike instead of slipping into a big black car. (It’s something we’ve known for a while, in fact.)

Will this trend hold? Or is it just another idea that has captured the short attention span of designers like Jil Sander, Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier, and Tod’s for a few months before they return to the frantic pace of churning out clothing faster and faster for fatter and fatter profit margins? Even better, will these famous and influential designers take the next step toward rethinking their product life cycle and incorporating greener materials and processes?

What do you think dear readers? Is this just another breathlessly effusive piece that patronizes sustainable living? Or is this something that should make us cheer? Tell me what you think in the comments.

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Green NYC Events This Week: November 9

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Alden Wicker

Green Drinks NYC

Go mingle over cocktails with like minded greenies. I’ve actually been to a couple of these, and if you can get past the awkward factor and avoid the pitches, you can meet some really interesting people.

TONIGHT, Tuesday, November 9th at 6-10 pm

Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard Street, between Rivington and Delancey

$10 advance, $15 at door

More info here.

_______________

Slow Food Internationl presents SLOW U: Chocolate…Good, Clean, and Fair
Join the Kallari chocolate cooperative in a tasting of good, clean, and fair chocolate paired with specially selected wines and spirits provided by Union Square Wines & Spirits.
Kallari is the only cooperative of family farmers in the world that harvests, markets, and enjoys all the profits from its organic chocolates.

Union Square Wines & Spirits
Thursday, November 11th – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

140 Fourth Avenue (at 13th St.); Manhattan
Tickets: $25 Slow Food Members $35 Non-members
Tickets available here.

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Home Sick: Herbal and At-Home Remedies for the Cold and Flu Season

Tis the season to be sick!

Get tips on boosting your immune system and staying well, and leave with herbal medicinal recipes for the cold months. It’s led by two very capable instructors: Ben Schwartz, a grower and food justice activist specializing in medicinal herbs and teas, and Lauren Giambrone, an herbalist practicing western herbal medicing with a harm reductionist approach.

November 10, 7-8:30 pm

This class is part 2 of a three-part series, but the three classes can be taken independently. Classes are $15-$25 (sliding scale) per class or $60 for all three.

Tickets here.

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This is the last week to see
Eco-Fashion: Going Green
See what students at FIT are doing
to promote environmental consciousness
through fashion eco-friendly design.

Through November 13, 2010

The Museum at FIT, 7th Ave. at 27th Street

More info here.

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Green Events in NYC This Week, November 2

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Alden Wicker

I really wish I could attend this event, but I have drawing class on Tuesdays. So will you go for me??

Book release of Amanda Hesser’s “The Essential New York Times Cookbook” and Melissa Clark’s “In The Kitchen With A Good Appetite.”

Twenty of the city’s top chefs will be preparing their favorite New York Times recipe while Sustainable Party will be making sure that the event is as green as possible (recycling glass, plastic, and paper, and composting biodegradable corn cups and food and bringing the compost to an upstate farm, etc.).

Proceeds of the event will be donated to “Wellness In The Schools” A NYC community based organization founded by local chefs to improve the environment, nutrition, and fitness in NYC public schools.

Tuesday, November 2nd at Chelsea Market

Tickets here.

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You really should check this out. Learning to forage is high on my list of things to do. (What you can find just in Central Park is pictured at the top) And if the apocalypse ever comes to NYC, you’ll be well equipped:

Urban Herb Walk

Realize the wealth of the medicinal plants of Prospect Park with two guides who have more than a decade of experience! This urban plant walk will focus on learning how to identify medicinals growing within an urban setting, while discussing how these plants contribute to our health and well-being. Bring a notebook and wear appropriate clothing for being outdoors for 2 hours.

Meet at Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park.

November 6, 12-2 pm

This is part 1 of a three-part series.

Register here.

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“FIND” Your Way to the Greenway…for BGI’s Fall Party!

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is partnering again with FIND Home Furnishings for a fall party to support the development of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

They will also be acknowledging Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin for securing BGI’s first City Council funding, and Waste Management for supporting BGI’s stewardship programs!

Join fellow greenway supporters for great food, drink, music and raffle prizes this

There will be plenty of room to spread out and raise spirits and funds over drinks & food from local restaurants, including 5 Burro, Lilla Cafe, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Rocky Sullivan’s, Union Market, Fort Defiance, Six Point Craft Ales, Alma, Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies and Nine Cakes, along with live jazz music from Hot Johnsons in FIND’s expansive showroom at 9th Street and the Gowanus Canal.

Don’t miss your chance to win one of many raffle items from FIND, Brooklyn Winery, RICE, Rolling Orange Bikes, Massage Therapy by Gerald Pulis, Ground Up Designers, Urban Oyster, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Bar Tano, New York Water Taxi, Circle Line Downtown, Water Taxi Beach, and more!

November 4, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm
FIND Home Furnishings, 59 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets are $25, or two for $40. Get your tickets today!

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This landed in my inbox, and I think I’m going to buy a ticket. Liz and I were just tasting some of Jimmy 43’s delicious soup at the New Amsterdam market. “We have to go!” I declared. “Jimmy’s 43 is like the flagship farm to table restaurant.” :

Jimmy’s No. 43 Chowder Benefit

I hope you will join us – and even enter your own chowder – for a benefit for NAMA at Jimmy’s No. 43 in New York City. Come here first hand report from Brett Tolley, our community organizer, of Slow Food’s Terra Madre in Torino, Italy and the discussions/plans around Slow Fish, Slow Food’s new campaign. We were glad to have been there to help shape its direction.

November 6, 2010

Jimmy’s No. 43, 43 E 7th Street, NY, NY

$10 donation gets you in to taste all the chowders, vote on the best in show and hear about the events in Torino.

More information here.

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There's a society-upending movement afoot

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Alden

Does it have a name? I’m not sure. It’s part Urban Agriculture, part Back to the Land, part Slow Food, part sustainability. It’s all of those things wrapped up in a deep need by modern Americans to fix what has gone wrong with our food system. I would call it a Food Revolution, but Jamie Oliver stole that name for his new show.

Yup, Oliver’s new show is part of the movement too. It follows him as he attempts to repair the way people eat in one the fattest towns in America, located in West Virginia. In the first episode last Friday, he attacked the lunch system in the school by banishing sugury milk and teaching the elementary school students how to use forks and knives. He also tries to get a family to eat better. It’s a sad sight to see, as an obese mother weeps with relief when she finds out that her middle schooler isn’t diabetic. Yet.

The night before I attended a fundraiser for BK Farmyards, a new urban garden networks that wants to transform the way people in Brooklyn shop for and eat food. As I sipped spicy magaritas with my friend Anne, who works at Idealist, we watched films that all seemed to drive home one crucial point: “Agribusiness, you stupid motherf***ers, we are coming for you.”

Ok, the f-bomb wasn’t necessary. It was more peace and love, naturally. But what I saw in those movies energizes me. More than ever I want to dig my hands into the soil, and at the end of a season pull out a carrot. My very own carrot that I grew myself, on my own land.

One quote in particular got me, from the movie Garden Cycles:

I have kids who come to Middlebury College from the lap of luxury, and pay $160 thousand in tuition, and all they want to do is farm.

What this says to me is that more and more people are getting real pleasure and happiness from turning down that desk job and digging in the dirt. Another person in the film commented on the American myth that farming is one of the most undesirable jobs out there. Yeah, it’s undesirable if you are being driven out of business by massive industrial farming companies. But it can bring real satisfaction to bring home the bacon in a more than just a metaphorical sense.

Other tidbits picked up from this adorable little event:

  • Farmers Markets are the fastest growing part of the food economy, and are growing even faster than Wal-Mart
  • Almost half of New York City’s waste is food
  • “Master Composter” is an actual, honest-to-god title, with an education to go with it
  • My next volunteer opportunity should totally be with the Familia Verde in the bronx, who run a community garden in one of the driest food deserts in the nation

There is so much more on this subject. For starters, read a Michael Pollan book. Or read the latest, wide-ranging articles on the subject of real food here, here, and here.

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