Slow Food UK

England divided - nature on one side, agriculture on the other? Or: when DEFRA secretary Steve Reed visits Groundswell - Slow Food in the UK When Groundswell started in 2016 it was a niche event,

@m_landzettel writes another must read piece for us, as she takes us through what the DEFRA secretary did (and didn’t) say at Groundswell #slowfood www.slowfood.org.uk/englanddivided

Beyond GM has sent a pre-action letter to Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed, putting the government on notice that we intend to pursue a judicial review of the Genetic Technology Regulations 2025. Read more and DONATE to our
@CrowdJusticeUK funder NOW. crowdjustice.com/case/stop-hi...

Best time of the year for a lunch break with a gelato, especially if it is a good, clean and fair gelato!

This June, it’s #TimeForLunch. Slow down, step away from your desk, and reclaim lunch as a moment of care + connection. Join us once a week to eat mindfully - with a friend, outdoors, or around the table. Share your moments & we’ll feature them every Thursday! #SlowFood

Our latest Slow Food newsletter is out!

Find out how to take Time for Lunch this June, discover our upcoming events (like Slow Cheese), meet inspiring supporters, and enter our book giveaway.

mailchi.mp/slowfood.org...

Orange and brown gatekeeper butterfly on a bramble leaf

Butterfly populations are crashing. Here are 5 ways to help them:
🌻 grow nectar-rich flowers
🌱 grow caterpillar food plants
🌼 let dandelions grow
🌳 plant a native tree
🍂 have a wild area
More ways to help butterflies and other insects:
bit.ly/4ae2zG1
#nature

Why our diets soon may get much worse - Slow Food in the UK New trade deals could open the door to lower food standards. Buying healthy, British grown and produced, non-GM food might soon get a lot harder.

Are our diets at risk? New trade deals could open the door to lower food standards - putting animal welfare, farmers, and the quality of our food at stake.
www.slowfood.org.uk/2025/04/27/w...

If you're in or around Leicester, check out our wonderful supporters @gelatovillage.bsky.social
Perfect as the weather starts to warm up 🌞

The Rise of PFALs – Plant Factories with Artificial Lighting - Slow Food in the UK Explore the promise and pitfalls of vertical farming—can hydroponic 'PFALs' truly offer sustainable food, or are they just high-tech illusions?

Explore the promise and pitfalls of vertical farming—can hydroponic 'PFALs' truly offer sustainable food, or are they just high-tech illusions?
www.slowfood.org.uk/2025/04/13/t...

From campaigning on food justice to celebrating community and the joy of sharing a meal — here’s what we’ve been up to this month.
mailchi.mp/slowfood.org.uk/sfuk425nonmem

Uradale, a Slow Food Farm at the Viking Crossroad between the North Sea and the Atlantic - Slow Food Uradale Farm is among the first Slow Food Farms in the UK. Located in the Shetland Islands, it is specialized in livestock farming.

Check out the super article on #Uradale #Shetland www.slowfood.com/blog-and-new... @slowfooduk.bsky.social @slowfoodeurope.bsky.social #ArkofTaste #flavours #mutton #yarns Farming with nature. Order some today. #SlowFoodFarms

96.2% of the UK public disapprove of keeping pigs in tight cages where they cannot turn around for weeks

There's a strong public mandate for a ban on caged farming.

It's time for the Government to act.

If you're one of the 96.2% of people in the UK who disapprove make sure you've signed the petition to ban caged farming: ciwf.org.uk/SignThePetition

COVID lessons not learnt: Why there is heartbreak and misery in rural England - Slow Food in the UK UK farmers are facing a crisis—rising costs, extreme weather, labour shortages, and government cuts are pushing many to the brink. With food security at risk, who will grow our food in the future?

Five years ago, we reconnected with farmers during lockdown—now, they’re facing their biggest crisis yet. Rising costs, extreme weather, labour shortages, and government cuts are pushing UK farms to the brink. Who will grow our food in the future? www.slowfood.org.uk/2025/03/20/uk-farming/

Learn about small-scale, endangered produce 👇#ediblebiodiversity #arkoftaste

FROM WASTE TO ABUNDANCE: HOW REGENERATIVE FARMING CAN FEED THE WORLD CEO CIWF

"By embracing truly sustainable practices, we can ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food today while preserving our ability to produce harvests essential for everyone tomorrow."

@philip-ciwf.bsky.social explains why regenerative farming is key ⬇️

Catch up on the Slow Food UK latest here: mailchi.mp/slowfood.org.uk/sfuk325nm?fbclid=IwY2xjawI3y41leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUfHEFGqJlMMkiRM4k3s9MDlvqZe2y4tQfp190wwnnQG4YIk5QuwzMg12w_aem_y_8wRfLpvAk5a8bz-66bJQ

Join us for a celebration of sustainable seafood in London this Friday with Moshi Moshi. Singles, couples and groups welcome! Book your tickets here: tinyurl.com/mv69pxdt

Winter bookshop sale > conta.cc/4jnmZSw

Our seasonal #book #sale features an inspiring collection of titles spanning regenerative learning, personal growth and environmental activism — perfect companions for moments of reflection and renewal.

Carrots and other green leafy vegetables growing in a small raised bed

Want to grow your own veg, but not much space? A ‘square foot’ garden could be the answer – it’s an easy way to grow lots of veggies in a small area. See our quick guide, with planting plan:
bit.ly/3E0pBpe
#growyourown #organic #gardening

Taiwan: Where the government is behind farmers all the way - Slow Food in the UK Taiwan: Where the government is behind farmers all the way It’s 7am in Chiayi, a city with about 260,000 inhabitants, some 250km south of the capital Taipei. The farmers market stretches along the nar...

From bustling wet markets to high mountain farms, Taiwan’s farmers are more than food producers—they’re the backbone of the nation’s culture, resilience, and security. Read all about it in our latest blog post. www.slowfood.org.uk/2025/01/28/taiwan-where-the-government-is-behind-farmers-all-the-way/

Enjoy discovering forgotten British foods with our Ark of Taste X Lilly Hedley series.
#rarefoods edible #biodiversity

Start the year with a fresh approach! Forget the long lists of do’s and don’ts—here are 5 simple, big-picture asks that’ll make a real impact from field to fork. Your alternative ‘five a day’, if you like! #slowfood #sustainableeating

In our latest newsletter, we’ve laid out 5 actions you can take right now—from buying better, local food to making time for shared meals. Plus, we’re celebrating exciting Slow Food projects like Slow Fish, championing small-scale fishing communities. mailchi.mp/slowfood.org...

A bumblebee can only fly for about 40 mins between feeding. These amazing pollinating insects are being hit hard by widespread habitat loss. So each nectar-rich flower you plant in a windowbox or in your garden or community green spaces could be the pit stop that saves a bee 🐝
#SaveTheBees #nature

Updates from our brilliant supporters

Orkney produce

Wendy at Monachyle Mhor with Donald the Highland coo

Welcome to Scottish Food Guide. My other accounts are @wendybarriescot.bsky.social & @scottishcheese.bsky.social passionately trying to make a difference for artisan producers, farmers, harvesters & chefs in the world of #Scottish food. If you love food you'll love this @slowfooduk.bsky.social

The problems with ‘fake’ meat - Slow Food in the UK By Ellen Heaselgrave As a proud vegetarian, a person preparing to take on Veganuary, and a lover of tasty, easy meals, I eat ‘fake’ meat products. Quorn meatballs and mince are weekly regulars in my ...

Curious about fake meat? Proud veggie Ellen Heaselgrave takes a deep dive into the environmental and health impacts of meat alternatives in our latest article.
www.slowfood.org.uk/2024/12/22/f...

Independent delicatessens, like Broad Bean, this years Slow Food England award winner, are vital in championing sustainable and ethical locally produced food. By supporting local businesses that prioritise quality and sustainability, we help nurture a better food system!

broad-bean.com

Peter of Peter Cooks Bread, wearing a yellow apron and holding one of his sourdough loaves

Will Macken of Shropshire Salumi with baskets of his charcuterie

Steve Guy, chef aka The Hungry Guy

The frontage of broad bean deli in ludlow with Chief Bean and proprietor Ian looking out of the window, two people leaving the shop and two passers by

Delighted to see our friends The Hungry Guy, Shropshire Salumi, Peter Cooks Bread and Broad Bean being recognised in the regional and UK Slow Food UK awards - congratulations to all the winners

We are delighted to announce our Slow Food Award winners 2024

Slow Food UK Person of the Year Pat Thomas, Beyond GM & A Bigger Conversation

Huge congratulations to all the UK winners

To see all the national winners www.slowfood.org.uk/news