THE VALUE OF FOOD
There are several ways to enter a foreign culture - through
appreciating music, sports, food and language. Among these and
other options, food is an easy entry point which roots travelers
and locals in a common ground.
Community
gardens, farmers markets and distribution of natural food
go a long way in supporting local economies and a healthy respect
for environmental conservation and community building.
WORLD
We will pay close attention to world events, including the
International
Year of the Potato 2008 and local festivals and tours, including
Culinary
Secrets from Oaxaca's Kitchens.
MEXICO
The 2008 e-conference was launched at the 2008
Rural Tourism Fair in Oaxaca City, Mexico.Highlights included
a Chinanteco meal at Caldo de Piedra, a Walk with the Weavers
in Teotitlán and a visit to an organic garden in Rojas
de Cuautemoc. For news about continuing work, check out the
Oaxaca Wikispace.
Mexico has one of the premiere cuisines in the world, noted
for its diversity and innovative culinary and medicinal traditions.
Planeta.com will be updating a number of features that provide
background for visitors to the country's traditional markets
and those interested in the growing slow food movement.
LANGUAGE WATCH
FOODIE - Foodie
is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of
food and drink. The word was coined in 1984 by Paul Levy, Ann
Barr and Mat Sloan for their book The Official Foodie Handbook.
FOOD MILES AND TRAVEL
As consumers around the world become aware of the carbon footprint
of their travels and purchases, a new term has appeared. Introducing
food
miles which track the journey food takes from the farm to
the table along with the carbon emissions that are created.
Increasingly in United
Kingdom and the rest of Europe
labels on food items show food miles.
The concept is not without debate and we will explore this
topic further in 2008.
WEB 1, 2, 3
An ongoing e-conference, Food,
Health and Building Communities will take place on the Web
as well as feature traditional and innovative events on the
ground.
YOUR TURN - Share your favorite photos in
the World
Food group. |