Did you know that today we rely on very few crop species for human consumption—less than 30 plants for example provide 95% of the world’s nutrition? Indeed, in the past century Europe has lost nearly 85% of its agricultural products.

Slow Food is launching a series of projects in UK to protect agricultural biodiversity. Through a series of dinners, Slow Food will raise funds to defend the UK’s agricultural heritage and gastronomic traditions.

Slow Food Oxon in partnership with the Oxfordshire Food Group based at Oxford Brookes University will host the local fund raising dinner “Celebrate the Taste” on Thursday 18h May 2006 at the historic Headington Hill Hall in Oxford. The event is sponsored by Oxford City Council.

“With kind support from our sponsors, Slow Food offers you a unique opportunity to enjoy a superb four course dinner with appropriate wines in one of Oxford’s finest halls and at the same time help save endangered species of animals and types of crops, says Tamara Schiopu, of Oxfordshire Food Group. The meal will feature the best of local produce as well as items listed in Slow Food’s Ark of Taste and products Slow Food has brought back from the edge of extinction. It is our utmost desire to promote local food producers and create networking opportunities through such events.”

The Programme also features a video presentation of Slow Food world Terra Madre, a Slow and local produce raffle (proceeds going to third world farmers to attend Terra Madre 2006 in Turin), tasting of Slow Food Presidia and Arc of Taste Products, Sicilian Wines & Huehuetenango Highland Coffee, guest speakers and gifts.

For an invitation, please contact Tamara at tschiopu@hotmail.com.uk or download the invitation.

Ends

Photos and logos from Tamara Schiopu 01865 484116 and e-mail localfood@brookes.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:
Slow Food is an international association founded in 1989 which today has grown to over 80,000 members in 104 countries. Slow Food promotes taste education, conserves agricultural biodiversity and organises events. Its publishing house issues guides, recipe books, magazines and essays on food culture. www.slowfood.com

Slow Food Oxon is the local Convivium comprising over 70 members. For events and application forms visit www.slowfood-oxon.org.uk

The Oxfordshire Food Group is a non-profit making organisation supported by Oxford Brookes University, SEEDA, Oxford City Council, and local authorities in Oxfordshire.