Our Mission

We are a group of Maderans and others who appreciate vibrant local foods and wines and their enjoyment in good company. Our primary interest is in promoting farmers, chefs, vintners, cheese makers, bakers among others in our community and region who are artisans of unique quality foods of distinction. Foods of industrial origin predominate here, on the world’s most productive farm land, enjoying the “Mediterranean” climate that has spanned the great food cultures of Europe. We intend, through our efforts to foster an authentic regional food culture worthy of the gifts nature has bestowed on our San Joaquin Valley. We have created events such as the Fig Fest, Tomato’s Big Night, Home on the Range and Muscat Love to offer the enjoyment of this emerging food culture to the public. This site will be ground zero for information on our public events and others which showcase local food artisans. We invite your membership and participation.

Slow Food Madera is an affiliate of Slow Food USA® and Slow Food International. Slow Food was founded in Italy (circa 1985), by Carlo Petrini, in reaction to an American fast food invasion which threatened to upend the centuries-old food culture of his nation. It has since grown into a world wide effort and claims over 60,000 members in dozens of countries. Unlike Italy, here in the US, we have a food culture to create rather than protect. We believe agriculture and our valley’s people will be best served by an economy that emphasizes quality over quantity. Artisan entrepreneurs are busy building this new food culture, it is exciting. We invite your enjoyment, enthusiasm and financial support of these local gastronomic pioneers.

We seek to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system, Slow Food USA reconnects Americans with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food. We work to inspire a transformation in food policy, production practices and market forces so that they ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat.