Slow Food Movement Plants Gardens in Africa

Slow Food Movement Plants Gardens in Africa:

African children hold up the fruits of their labor. Photo: Slow Food International

Gardening is a skill that seems to be lost on a large portion of western society. After all, why should I grow a tomato bush when I can have someone else do it? I’ll just pick one up at the grocery store for 60 cents.
But in Africa, food doesn’t come that easy. Economic restraints make eating fresh and healthy a less-than-viable option.
Slow Food USA, the grassroots movement to get humans back to our veggie-growing roots, is partnering with Slow Food International to do something big in African communities. The organizations seek to plant “A Thousand Gardens in Africa” to support and encourage locally produced, native food consumption that’s economically viable in the impoverished continent. The goal is true food sovereignty – an idea that would empower Africans to create their own food, rather than rely on outside sources.
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The Slow Food organizations have already involved 25 African countries across 608 communities since the project launched in October 2010. Schools have played a large role in implementing the gardens, where students are taught how to compost, plant and serve their homegrown food.
Want to help? The project seeks donations to get gardens in the ground in more communities across Africa. One garden costs 900 Euros (about $1,200,) but if you don’t have that kind of cash on hand, the organization takes donations in any amount on their website and by check.
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