Slow Food USA’s Manifesto for Equity Inclusion and Justice

Slow Food USA is dedicated to the development of an equitable, just, and healthy local food system – one that truly works for all of us. We know that injustices – which include such things as theft of land, farmworker, fisher-harvester and other food and seafood chain worker exploitation, lack of access to land, oceans, freshwaters, and healthy foods, food apartheid neighborhoods, and diet related health problems – are rooted in race, class and gender disparities. As these injustices continue, all too often the voices of people of color, poor or low-income people and women are excluded from the mainstream food movement.

Slow Food USA is committed to listening to those most impacted by food injustice; to being honest about how white supremacy, economic exploitation, and cultural domination have fundamentally shaped the agricultural history of the U.S.; to furthering our own education on how to build a just and equitable food system and supporting our local chapters to do the same, to honoring local knowledge; and, to taking appropriate action to support, deepen or create local food justice and food sovereignty efforts. 

Slow Food USA also believes that it is essential to encourage a diverse range of perspectives and experiences within our board of directors, national staff and within our local organizations, so that we are making decisions that best reflect the varied needs of our entire community and that are especially inclusive of the traditionally marginalized voices of people of color.

Slow Food DC’s EIJ Commitment

Slow Food DC commits to the following EIJ action steps:

  1. Slow Food DC will actively seek opportunities to advocate for, and partner with, other organizations working to combat food inequity and injustice.

  2. We will increase event participation and partnerships with BIPOC organizations, businesses and individuals. As part of these partnerships, we will work to secure financial compensation for speakers’ time and expertise, whenever possible.

  3. We will dedicate space in our monthly newsletter and other communications to support BIPOC organizations, allied efforts and activities. 

  4. Slow Food DC staff and board will pool resources to make an annual contribution to a food justice organization.

  5. We will continue to listen to our membership about ways to create more inclusive and diverse events.

  6. We will seek out BIPOC-owned and run businesses, farms, organizations, etc. in our Snail of Approval nomination process. Each board member will reach out to at least one BIPOC owned/run entity about the Snail program, and encourage them to apply.