Why Join

What is Slow Food

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. To do that, Slow Food brings together pleasure and responsibility, and makes them inseparable.

Locally, the mission of Slow Food Reno is to create a culture where the Great Basin Community promotes and advocates wholesome, clean and flavorful food.  Food has the power to improve personal wellness, unite friends and family, celebrate cultural traditions and maintain environmental health. We support and encourage agricultural biodiversity, sustainable practices, and humane animal treatment.  Slow Food Reno will work to promote these values as well as fostering education about their importance.

Why should I join?

By becoming a member you will be able to take advantage of substantial discounts on Slow Food Reno events as well as exclusive invitations to Slow Food Reno member only dinners, potlucks and other events.  You will also help us move towards a more delicious and sustainable future as you support and further the growth of national and international programs.

Benefits of Membership

When you become a member, your voice will be added to those of more than 17,000 individuals in the USA, and 80,000 worldwide, who are committed to changing the food system for the better. Slow Food is the only organization that celebrates the delicious tastes of our nation, honors the unsung heroes of our tables, and brings together those committed to making a difference in our food system.

From tasting twenty heirloom varieties of tomatoes, to changing local policy on school lunches, to providing farmers with financial support after disasters, your membership helps you take action where it’s needed most. As a member you can get involved with your local chapter, as well as be a part of the largest international network of food activists.

Your membership benefits also include:

• A one-year subscription to The Snail journal, which covers good, clean and fair food issues such as: sustainable seafood, food systems education, alternative food distribution, protecting biodiversity and regional food traditions. The Slow Food Almanac from Slow Food International that features in-depth stories of the movement from around the world.
• The Food Chain, the USA monthly e-newsletter that highlights the activities of our 200+ convivia, our diverse programs and the latest headlines in food sustainability.
• A personal membership card and a copy of the Slow Food Companion (for first-time members, mailed quarterly), which details Slow Food’s mission, network and projects.
• Membership in your local chapter and invitations to local, national and international Slow Food events ranging from seasonal feasts to film festivals, farm tours to taste workshops.
• Discounts on merchandise including the Slow Food Guides to New York City, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as other items in Slow Food USA’s General Store.

Where Do My Membership Dollars go?

When you become a member of Slow Food USA, you are not simply paying for a subscription to our publications, or for a membership card; your dollars go to further the goals and initiatives of Slow Food locally, nationally and internationally. Through this exchange, our members can be personally involved in furthering the goals we all share.

Slow Food International uses their percentage to help open new Slow Food offices around the world. There are currently over 800 chapters in 50 countries with seven national offices. With your support, Slow Food continues to establish new offices and chapters, increasing our body of members and strengthening our international community.

Your dues also support development of the movement here in the US, including the development of new chapters. On average 40 chapters open each year, and that number is growing! Slow Food USA provides support to existing chapters and networks all 300+ leaders to share their wealth of knowledge and experience enabling chapters to become even stronger and reach farther into their communities.

The rest of your dues go towards publications, operating expenses, and membership services, all of which help our movement grow and function while keeping our members updated and connected. Membership dues provide only a fraction of the general operating needs to support such programs as Communications and Outreach, Terra Madre, Slow Food In Schools, Slow Food On Campus, RAFT, Ark & Presidia, subsidized student rates, and our participation at Slow Food Nation.

Your annual membership is important to keeping Slow Food alive. We thank you for your continued support, contribution, and communal enthusiasm.