ROME, Italy
Italy’s Tea Association has launched Slow Tea, an international effort to promote good, clean, fair tea.
The movement is inspired by the work of journalist Carlo Petriniwho founded the international Slow movement, now operating in 150 countries with more than 100,000 members.
His 1980s protests organized against opening a fast-food McDonald’s near the Spanish Steps in Rome crystalized worldwide concern over the decline of regional cuisine. The Slow movementpromotes an alternative to fast food, preserving traditional farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. Its goals of sustainable foods and promotion of local small businesses are paralleled by a political agenda directed against globalization of agricultural products.
Slow Tea International operates around the world with projects to defend local tea traditions, protect local biodiversity and promote small-scale quality teas, explains Marco Bertona, who directs ADeMaThe – Tea Association of Italy.
Beginning in 2004 the Tea Aassociation of Italy began working closely with Slow Food Italy. Bertona was named the National Coordinator for the “Master of Food on Tea.”
“A group of Slow Tea began to organize within the association,” explains Bertona. Initially the activities of the group were organized together with those of the tea association. Over the years the group has grown to more than 300 members, he said.
“Since that time Slow Tea's philosophy has spread also around the world, and a worldwide slow tea movement began to take shape. So, in the past few years, we decided to establish an international association that could organize the movement of the Slow Tea in the world, spread the philosophy, and achieve its aims,” said Bertona.
“Up to now we have never planned a real recruitment campaign, but next year we will launch our first international membership recruitment campaign,” he said.
Now the non-profit global organization needs “eager beavers.”
“If you're interested in connecting with our Slow Tea Movement and joining us on this great slow tea adventure, you're welcome,” said Bertona. The organization has established a LinkedIN group (Slow Tea Group) and on Twitter.
“Slow Tea is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little Lady Bug as its symbol,” said Bertona.
Discussion topics include:
· Tea culture and tea traditions, tea quality and quality teas, tea appreciation, taste education, tea utensils, tea ceremonies and ways to prepare the tea.
· Slow Tea philosophy, Slow Tea projects, events and activities, as well as the identity of Slow Tea as a movement.
· Biodiversity, organic and sustainable tea agriculture, tea processing methods, fair tea, small-scale tea producers, tea farmers, branding and distribution, tea supply chain, tea prices.
“If you have a specific project that you'd like to talk about, or you're interested in starting a Slow Tea Group in your area, contact us now,” he said. His email is [email protected]. Learn more at www.slowtea.org.