need to add title here

The Mother Of Slow Food

March 18, 2009 8:51 AM

Alice Waters has been preaching the virtues of cultivating fresh food for decades. As Lesley Stahl reports, this world-renowned chef and restaurateur hopes a slower approach to the food we eat will keeps us healthier and greener.

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by IRNWVR March 24, 2009 10:18 AM EDT
I apologize for a meandering comment but it is early. First it still amazes me how people complain about buying organic foods and how expensive farmers markets are. Mankind has grown "his own" food for thousands of years with almost no resourses, (i.e technology), involved and has flourished. GROW YOUR OWN FOOD PLEASE ! ! ! I plant a tiny little hippie garden in Oregon and I cannot possiibly eat all it produces. I preserve what I can and still have stuff in my pantry from last fall. I have to applaude Ms Obama for the White House garden. She seems like a very smart and wise person, in spite of wearing designer clothes while she digs up the garden. It reminds me that Jimmy Carter put solar panals on the White House roof and Ronald Reagon promptly pulled them down saying it was "Not the American Way". Glad he's gone. A missed oppertunity of 30 years and thousands of lives lost fighting oil wars. A real shame. According to the CIA the population of the earth increases by 77 Million people every 12months. All of the people that were drowned by the indonesion tsunami in one lazy morning were all replaced in just under "24 Hours" of normal population growth. If we are, as a planet, having problems with potable water, polution, energy shortages, education, health care, and global climate change, won't lots more people likely exacerbate all of these problems ??? Shouldn't "someone" be talking about reducing population ? Like punching holes in a lifeboat while you are bailing it out ??? Kinda crazy. They say now that the result of the economic situation will be a permanent change of lifestyle and expecations. All I can say is Thank you Lord. Thank you. GROW A GARDEN and GAIN SOME SKILLS. Thank you.
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by JenniferCote March 23, 2009 11:22 PM EDT
Alice certainly has some high standards! Far beyond what I feel like I can fathom!
I love healthy food, but don't have any qualms about microwaves. My dad did his own experiment using microwaved water vs. regular water with some seed starts, and found the microwaved-watered set of seeds excelled! And it's so practical. I feel like using the microwave is "going green" in one sense: That you can use less energy on occasion, to get things done.
And wow- no freezing of the foods? I make a big batch of my favorite chili, and freeze portions. When I'm in a big hurry, but ravenous, I can microwave some of my vegetarian chili (made with organic black beans), and still feel healthy. I've used a minimum of energy and effort, and have avoided the fast-food-lane, so I'm all for freezing.
But I do love how Alice has poured so much enthusiasm and energy into things like the junior high's edible garden. How lovely it would be if all kids got more familiar with the source of "real food". My kids, and now grand kids, really like fresh, natural foods, because we go out in the garden and pick them.
I suppose if more of us lead by example, without bemoaning the lifestyles and traditions of others, our country could change for the better.
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by orchid777 March 21, 2009 7:09 PM EDT
Alice Waters is a BEACH I live in the Bay Area. Her ideas are not self rightious her attitude is. She is rude and thinks way too highly of herself. She stomps on people that she finds inferior and anoying and not likely to up her status. She is status driven. She is passionate about food, there is no doubt but she has a personality complex. She looks down her nose at a lot of people. She is a bit self serving. Did I mention RUDE.
And yes this whole interview is dated how about a focus on the Cannsbis industry in California with Obama int he white house it has gotten almost rediculous how open the industry is in california. I mean there are over 800 places in the state where you can walk in and literaly plop down some money and buy some pot. Everyone that visits me from out of state is shocked. This is a real issue in California right now specialy in the coastal parts of the state. If the chick that did thios interview was going to come to the bay area to do an interview she should have focused on the real elephant in the room
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by Readtoknow March 21, 2009 9:42 AM EDT
Remember the old (oh, so true!) adage "We are what we eat.".
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by mpplanning March 20, 2009 7:17 PM EDT
Leslie- Wake up this interview typic is years old. The movement is far pass Alice Waters. Look at the responses you got. It's always good to get a little press but update yourself a little!
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by IRNWVR March 17, 2009 6:55 PM EDT
I propose an alternative social structure "for those who would like it." And that would be one that has existed on this earth for thousands of years and still survives in some parts of the world. That is "Small Villages". With a population that "does not grow or shrink" and inhabited by people that have "relevent skills" to sustain themselves and the village. Speaking only on the food front, everyone would know where the food came from because the social unit would grow it. Almost no energy costs, much less pollution, people would not be anonymous to each other, (as people today flip the bird to others out their car windows), walk or bike to work, or work from home. Based on "capitalist" principals, (i.e. not a hippie commune). Instead we are going in totally the opposite direction and will likely reap what we sow. Oh one more thing. I think Ms. Winters is quite pretentious and good grief it does not take a psychologist to see that. Plays to the camera is understatement.
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by herrchristoph March 17, 2009 4:46 PM EDT
...I am not quite sure whether the title of this episode is accurate. Is Waters the "mother of Slow Food"?...she did not actually start it herself. Carlo Petrini did it back in the 80s in Italy and the movement manifesto was signed in Paris in 1989. So is the title implying that Waters is the one who promoted this culinary philosophy in the US? Is she the mother of this movement whereas Petrini (the founder) is the father? Besides, much of what is presented in this episode about the Slow Food movement is merely common sense to me and it misses out on the global impact (and the preservation of local gastronomic traditions) that the movement has been promoting for the past 20 years.
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by HealthyFoodFirst March 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT
I would have much preferred a full hour dedicated to Alice Waters and her commitment to healthful, organic, sustainable food for all. Educating people about the importance of healthful eating should be topic #1. While I can understand how some might find her arrogant...she does play to the camera a bit much sometimes...she is 100% genuine in her beliefs. As a nation we need more Alice Waters to steamroll the movement. Truth is, we have them in every community. Everyone of us who are knowledgeable, dedicated healthful eaters have an obligation to give back and share with others. For without this grassroots movement and commitment we may never achieve good health based on real food.
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by slowfoodmama March 17, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
Seriously, Ms. Stahl, if you don''t have time to cut up a tomato for your child, why would you have one?
Take a little time and do something good for yourself and your family. Instead of driving by McDonald's pick up window, turn off the tv andmake dinner with your family. They might enjoy it.
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by aliciamom March 17, 2009 7:27 AM EDT
$200-$300 thousand dollars per patient and more is spent in maintaining one person on chemotherapy. $5 dollars will buy you a pack of Marbourls.Medications are so expensive that individuals are buying on line at any cost. Much of disease can be prevented by the choices we make. Organic foods may seem expensive , but the alternatives for our families are extreme today. Bioengineered foods, genetically modified meats, vegetables fruits and grains, as well as pesticides have been directly related to birth defectsand health concerns. As our nation matures and with a greater population of educated people whose focus is for a better life for all our children. Going green may be difficult today , but for the lifes of our we have to.
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by aliciamom March 17, 2009 6:44 AM EDT
It was nice to watch Ms.Waters.  I have always been a "Veg Head but in 1991 my daughter was diagnosed with lelukemia in northern California.at 18 months..Out of  necessity I became very informed on the nutritional pros and cons within the American food supply..Due to my education and career choice realizing and accepting that much of  disease process is aquired  led me to a practice of "treating and feeding"not only my own family, but patients as well as their families. 18 years later,my daughter and my son are both healthy doing well in college and eatling organically as macrobiotic vegheads themselves.  Nice to know I have a comrade in arms in the kitchen and those tomatoes did look nice..  aloha and mahalo Ms Waters .
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by AC89 March 17, 2009 12:43 AM EDT
Those kids sure seem like they're having fun. I don't know about the rest of you, but we did a lot of activities and lessons in middle school and high school that seemed pretty pointless and that I don't remember at all, but activities such as gardening and cooking are those that you will likely always remember and benefit from. So I think implementing similar programs around the country is a fabulous idea. School systems spend who knows how much money on their football programs or marching band programs so why not some money for teaching about sustainable farming and cooking? These are all great lessons for kids. In addition to learning about growing produce, I also think kids should learn the truth about where meat comes from in school. Perhaps a trip to a factory farm or slaughterhouse. Even antibiotic and hormone-free animals need to be killed to make bacon and consumers should see what this process entails. When I was a kid, like most kids I thought my meat came from small farms like those in story books and was horrified to learn about factory farming. Kids should be taught about proper nutrition, including vegetarian nutrition, given that a growing number of kids are adopting diets free of animal products.
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by NErick075 March 16, 2009 11:07 PM EDT
I don't know where in the interview that some people saw Alice Waters to be an elitist. She has her own ideas but didn't come across as arrogant. And why is anyone fixated on that? The important thing here is she has the discussion about food started and popular. I don't think we even know how many Americans don't have a clue to what they are eating on a day to day basis. It isn't just the taco or burger but the layer after layer of processed foods and the additives and preservatives that start to add up. How many years of eating extra hormones or antibiotics does it take to change a person? I really think that people are not aware to how far from natural they have gotten. I applaud Alice Waters for taking a stand..any stand and backing it up. The simple fact that she's working with the children shows her commitment to helping the community when it is so much easier to sit at home. I wish we had more stories about our food and the people that provide it.
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by NErick075 March 16, 2009 11:07 PM EDT
I don't know where in the interview that some people saw Alice Waters to be an elitist. She has her own ideas but didn't come across as arrogant. And why is anyone fixated on that? The important thing here is she has the discussion about food started and popular. I don't think we even know how many Americans don't have a clue to what they are eating on a day to day basis. It isn't just the taco or burger but the layer after layer of processed foods and the additives and preservatives that start to add up. How many years of eating extra hormones or antibiotics does it take to change a person? I really think that people are not aware to how far from natural they have gotten. I applaud Alice Waters for taking a stand..any stand and backing it up. The simple fact that she's working with the children shows her commitment to helping the community when it is so much easier to sit at home. I wish we had more stories about our food and the people that provide it.
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by labete5 March 16, 2009 5:32 PM EDT
I noticed that all the cooks and attendants in Chez Panisse (Alice's restaurant) were NOT wearing hats. What about all the hair, lice and other coodies in the food? However, NONE of said cooks were obese, so take note, America, and DON'T call her elitist. She is just NORMAL. You microwave, GREASE eaters are not.
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by Sgillingha March 16, 2009 2:49 PM EDT
With all due respect Alice, my grandmother and many other gradmothers, were making slow food long before you came along. perhaps what you're known for is the marketing of slow food. at best, that would make you the daughter of slow food - a long way from the mother or the grandmother of slow food. give credit where credit is due and stop pretending that you created corn & apples - you didn't.



I AGREE WITH YOU..ALOT US DO IT WHEN THE CLIMATE DICTATES IT. WE ALSO "FREEZE" OUR FRESH PRODUCE TO USE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS ALICE..I KNOW YOU SHUDDER TO HEAR THAT. IF YOU ARE REALLY INTO SLOW FOOD THEN YOU MUST ADHERE TO THE "WASTE NOT WANT NOT MANTRA"...LIKE CANNING YOUR VEGS... THEY ARE NOT FRESH. SHE IS LIKE YOU SAID...A DAUGHTER OF THE MOVEMENT. GO ABROAD AND YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST PEOPLE SHOP EVERYDAY IN THE VILLAGE FOR FRESH. IN AMERICA WITH THE SPRAWL, WE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO TAKE A SMALL WALK TO GET FRESH PRODUCE.
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by IRNWVR March 16, 2009 1:59 PM EDT
The thing I cannot understand is why people do not grow their own small, (or large), gardens and produce "their own" organic food. This is what has sustained society for thousands of years. Why do people argue about the high price of going to a Farmers Market or Organic Farm when the you can grow your own and learn wonderful skills in doing so. Out society has become so dependant on "others" to do everything for us they are incapable of even feeding themselves. If you have the money and not the time then above all support the organic farmer. If you do not have the money then grow your own and you find joy in doing so. There was a news segment some time ago that said people were eating "unhealthy fast food", because buying good healthy food was too expensive. I could not believe my ears. The most healthy food in a grocery store is the cheapest. However most people have never learned how to cook unprocessed food. If it is not instant, frozen or in a box it is totally baffling to them. Has it really come to this ??? We surely are doomed.

One last thing. I did also find the lady in the segment more than a wee bit elitist and condesending. But most of us that believe home grown and home prepared food are just nomal people. I grew up on a Minnesota homestead and we grew 5 gardens and had fruit trees and preserved everything. We made our own, "organic:" ketchup and sourkraut. (sp?) But even in the tiniest of suburban garden patches you can grow more than you ever believed.


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by NaturalNancy March 16, 2009 12:18 PM EDT
Great interview. For those of you who are concerned about the "higher cost" of organic food - where do you think farmers get the subsidies for growing thousands of acres of soy and corn which is not even for human consumption? If you haven't given it any thought, YOU are paying for it - through your taxes! So, it may seem that conventional food is cheaper, but in reality you are paying for farm products that we can't even eat. Many Americans have been brought up on fast convenient items labeled as food, however, your brain and body doesn't register it as food, hence the issue of obesity in Americans. They keep eating and eating, but the body is not recognizing it as food, so there are not vitamins and minerals to satisfy what our body needs. If you consider the cost of dis-ease care (aka "health care), you will see how really expensive it is for Americans to eat. This epidemic is not going to go away until the famous people like Alice Walters finally get it across to the politicians and other "famous people" that this is real food. Then it becomes more popular to the average person, prices go down and real farms, the small family farms, start increasing. I also live on a farm, about 30 minutes north of lazyb87 above. I've tried several ways to make a living growing vegetables, selling free range eggs, raw milk, etc. and it is hard. Long, long hours during the growing season, dependent upon Nature to bring sufficient rain - it is a battle. For those farmers who have been able to either break even or make a profit, who have hung in there despite many obstacles, you should be applauding them and supporting them. Our current food distribution system doesn't work, made quite evident by the recent salmonella outbreak with the peanuts from Texas. The possible contamination is ubiquitous, local health departments are on alert to go door to door finding out where the peanuts that were purchased MONTHS after the initial outbreak have gone (I know, they visited my farm a few weeks ago when the company I purchase bulk products from was required to give them my information because someone in my buying club purchased 5 pounds of peanuts for her family). It is crazy. My advice - find a local farmer or farmers and BUY FROM HER OR HIM. Support local - get to know these people, find out what their beliefs are about sustainable farming. Our current farming system is not sustainable, it's not even food! Embrace change, learn how to cook again and serve at least 1 nutritious meal a day. See how better behaved your children are, see how better you feel. Dig up some of your useless grass and plant a small garden, get the whole family involved, it doesn't take a lot of effort and please don't grow 50 tomato plant. Grow lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, peas, asparagus, etc. in addition to your tomatoes. It'll be the most fun you'll ever have. For those of you who know where I'm coming from, start educating others, get your community involved, find an empty lot, see if you can lease it from the owner, test the soil and start a community garden. The opportunities are endless. The growing season here in the midwest is just starting, perfect time to experience the joy of fresh peas right out of the shell, I can guarantee you they won't make it to the kitchen. Choose organic, local food in season! I highly recommend the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Organic Gardening Magazine is great as well as Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew.
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by lazyb87 March 16, 2009 8:45 AM EDT
I am a Master Gardener ,married to Illinois grain farmer. I have recently become involved in an effort to have local foods served in our high schools. We are talking about a small percentage of the total food budget. The sad truth is Ms Waters is right about how we should eat ,but the way Americans live right now this is so far being close to affordable or attainable. In my community and those surrounding me, people are not buying 2 pairs of Nike shoes-they are struggling to pay the rent or mortgage. Healthy food is actually available in the grocery store right now ,but we need to deal with the social issues drive our choices. Her personal world is beautiful and dreamy , a successful career in a temperate location makes me want to chuck it all and sell the farm and move to California. But instead I will stay here ,try to make changes in this sometimes harsh growing landscape and bloom where I am planted. Ms. Waters in welcome to visit us in Princeton ,Illinois anytime.
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by baileydebe March 16, 2009 8:08 AM EDT
My family and I eat organic and are also vegetarian. Although I agree with Ms Waters and her reaction to eating processed food, i feel she is unrealistic in her expectations. Instead of cooking Ms. Stahl a fresh breakfast from her brick oven, it would have been more beneficial to tell the average parent how to cook a nutritious meal on little money. Not all Americans buy numerous sneakers in place of good food. For many Americans it is not a choice. In this respect I viewed Ms Waters as elitist.
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