Slow Food Nation Marketplace August 29, 2008

The Marketplace at Slow Food Nation will transform San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza into an urban garden, farmers’ market, outdoor food bazaar and soap box that demonstrate and celebrate food that is good, clean and fair. Located directly in front of City Hall at the heart of downtown San Francisco, the Marketplace makes the bold statement that a sustainable and just food system can produce healthy and delicious food for everyone in San Francisco and beyond.

The Market

The Market at Civic Center Plaza showcases more than 60 California farmers and producers from 30 counties in the state who grow and produce good, clean and fair food. Visitors to the Market can buy dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes, muslin-wrapped cheddar cheese and sweet potato pie directly from the producers and learn about the next generation of farmers, water conservation and biological and cultural diversity in California’s food system.

All vendors at the Market have been approved by Slow Food Nation staff and curators for their commitment to using good (delicious), clean (environmentally friendly) and fair (socially just) production practices.

Slow on the Go (11am-4pm)

Next to the Market at Civic Center Plaza, Slow on the Go demonstrates how “fast” Slow Food can be. Visitors can purchase affordable, good, clean and fair street food prepared by local businesses cooking with fully sustainable, source-verified ingredients. Celebrate the beauty, taste and cultural diversity of old and new American culinary traditions.

Soap Box

The stewards of the land have stories to share. The Soap Box is an occasion for farmers, food producers and other “intellectuals of the earth” to speak for ten or twenty minutes to a public audience at a small amphitheater in the Civic Center Victory Garden. The program will also feature music and dance performances rooted in agrarian traditions, urban gardeners, young activists, chefs and spontaneous presentations from Slow Food Nation participants who would like to share their own stories.

Official Website: http://slowfoodnation.org/events/the-main-event/marketplace/