The Ultimate Road Trip

It’s summer!  You know what that means, right?

1. No school!
2. Watermelon, peaches, and cherries!
3. Road trip!

As you may know, when I’m not eating food, cooking food, taking pictures of food, reading about food or talking about food, my other obsession in life is my job as mother of three kids.

One of our favorite family traditions is an annual road trip. 

Each year I load up the minivan and take to the highway.  Gypsy wanderer that I am, this trip appeases my restless nature. It’s a great chance to see the country—and there’s so much of the U.S. I haven’t seen.  (I’m embarrassed to admit I have seen more of Europe than my own country.) 

But, honestly, the real purpose of these trips is food.  Despite my laments about the culinary homogenization of American food, there is still a joyful, regional diversity.  You just have to work a little harder to find it.  Hint: it’s usually not at the nearest interstate exit. 

As you have probably guessed from the links on my blog, I am a passionate supporter of Slow Food.  Not just because it started in Italy (although that is how I discovered it), but because their philosophy about food so closely matches what I believe.  Slow Food celebrates the joy and diversity of food.  It encourages a respect for the land and for the people who grow and prepare food.  It recognizes a sense of place and of community. 

The Slow Food movement has really grown in the last few years, especially in the United States.  One of the most exciting developments was the formation of Heritage Foods USA, which was created to celebrate and protect U.S. food traditions and farmers.  (Their first project, the Heritage Turkey Project, has brought several breeds back from the brink of extinction and has allowed many of us to experience what real turkeys taste like).   

A few months ago, as I started planning my road trip for this summer, I came across what I consider the ultimate American food road trip.  After reading this, I was ready to pack my bags.  Fortunately for my family, however, the tour included a stop in San Diego.  So, much as I would have liked to, I didn’t need to drive all the way to Omaha, for example, and show my kids a week in the life of a USDA butcher/slaughterhouse. (They’ve read Fast Food Nation—that was enough information for them!)

Instead, we are fortunate that the Heritage Foods team will be stopping in San Diego.  They're coming here to deliver a pair of Red Wattle pigs to the San Pasqual Academy. 

So, if you are interested in meeting the pigs, talking to the Heritage team, or just supporting the foster teens at San Pasqual Academy, you can come to Orfila Winery on Monday, June 26 from 3-6 pm.  There will be wine and appetizers prepared by Chef Jeff Jackson, from The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

P.S. For those Charlotte’s Web lovers out there, I don’t think we’ll be eating the pigs after we meet them.  (Not yet, anyway.)

See you there!

Comments

[Alice Q.]

I'd love to go, but unfortunately I'll be trapped in LA that day for work. Boo hoo for me. I am also a slow foodie (hey, maybe that's what I should have named my blog!) and I'd like to become more active with the local chapter. I see there's an event at the end of August - maybe I'll try to go to that. Have a great time!

[Rorie]

I'm also a huge supporter of the Slow Food & Heritage USA movements. I first became involved in San Francisco and it has truly and completely changed my life in so many ways that go far beyond food. I'm so happy you've returned to blogging, I feel such a connection when I read your posts. Also wanted to thank you for the long ago recommendation to Surati Farsan - its become one of our favorite (near weekly) eateries!

[Jay]

I was hopeful to get to the event but I got caught up at work. Did you attend? How was it?

[Kady]

Wish I had seen this post earlier! Sounds like fun!