Closing Soon!
Due Monday 18 March 2024

Background

What is Slow Food?

Slow Food is an international movement that is member-supported and comprises many not-for-profit organisations formed as ‘Slow Food Convivia’ all over the world. Founded in 1989 in Italy to counteract fast food & fast life, and promote local sustainable food, it is a grassroots network whose supporters are linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment. There are now over 100,000 members in 160 countries that make up 1,300 convivia (branches) of Slow Food.

Convivia are local groups that gather food enthusiasts who want to change food systems to be good, clean and fair for all. Noosa’s Slow Food Convivium brings together different food systems’ actors as farmers, producers, cooks, scholars and consumers who share a common passion for preserving local food traditions, promoting biodiversity, and advocating for a more mindful approach to eating.

Understanding the Slow Food philosophy

Slow Food promotes GOOD, CLEAN, FAIR food (i.e., sustainable quality food, not necessarily organic), which can be further defined as:

GOOD: Fresh, flavoursome & seasonal, satisfying the senses, part of the local culture

CLEAN: The way food is produced respects the environment, animal welfare, and our health

FAIR: Accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers

Slow Food specifically supports local food by:

• Connecting producers, chefs and consumers
• Educating consumers and children
• Protecting food biodiversity
• Organising events, initiating projects and developing campaigns
• Fostering network-building and exchanges
• Organizing activities to highlight local foods and producers, such as tastings, workshops, farm visits, school gardens, food education and more.

Who is Slow Food Noosa?

Slow Food Noosa is the largest Australian Slow Food Convivium with an active membership of around one hundred members. We are part of the International Slow Food movement and are an Incorporated Association run by several enthusiastic and passionate Slow Food Members.

Our events

In applying to represent Slow Food Noosa at Terra Madre, delegates should have a good understanding of how we promote and support the Slow Food philosophy. Each year we host several events and support many initiatives including the Terra Madre delegation, small environmental grants, Film with Food fundraisers, street or market events, the GourMAY Food Festival in Mary Valley, Farm Trails, and many other small events in our region.

Our projects

In addition, Slow Food Noosa coordinates the Slow Food Snail Kids program across several Sunshine Coast Schools, supports community garden projects, supports local farmers & producers in various ways, and facilitates the Snail of Approval recognition program.

Terra Madre & The Scholarship

The Terra Madre network was launched by Slow Food to give a voice and visibility to the small-scale farmers, breeders, fishers, and food artisans whose approach to food production protects the environment and communities. The network brings these actors together with academics, chefs, consumers and youth groups to enjoy and join forces in working to improve food systems. For more information about Slow Food International or the Terra Madre event, visit the websites.

Slow Food International

Terra Madre Salone Del Gusto 2024

The delegate scholarship

Slow Food Noosa will grant $3,000 each, to three successful delegates, where this scholarship will contribute to:

• Return airfares to Italy
• Accommodation in Turin (Slow Food Noosa recommend Airbnb)
• Incidentals for attending Terra Madre daily

Please note we are aware this amount is a contribution only, and that delegates will need to consider their own circumstances in terms of how they approach this opportunity. Delegates should note that they also need to apply to Terra Madre to be accepted into the conference, and will have the opportunity / option to ask for accommodation (billeted) and food vouchers to be provided for each day.

Therefore, delegates should consider:

• Billeted accommodation can be requested of the Terra Madre organising committee, however, this has been problematic in the past regarding distance from the venue and the need to relocate several times during the conference – thus Slow Food Noosa’s recommendation to seek Airbnb accommodation.
• Each delegate needs to apply to Terra Madre to attend (via their website), and part of this process facilitates delegate access to the food ‘hall’ (tent) with free lunch vouchers daily.
• Delegates should remember that attending Terra Madre they are representing Slow Food Noosa and the Slow Food Australia delegation.
• Delegates need to book into special workshops/lectures themselves (do this early to avoid disappointment!).

The Application

In applying for this experience delegates agree to provide quality feedback and service to Slow Food Noosa Inc as follows:

1. You are expected to participate in the full festival program and volunteer where appropriate to either present, or support other delegates who are presenting, on behalf of Slow Food Noosa.
2. You must arrive by Wednesday 25 September and remain for the duration of the festival with the final day being Monday 30 September.
3. Prior to departure, and again on return to Australia, you will share your objectives for attending Terra Madre with Slow Food Noosa members, in relation to how Terra Madre has impacted or changed the way you approach your association with food and the Slow Food community in our region.
4. Returning to Australia you agree to join and volunteer on the Slow Food Noosa Inc. management committee to support the convivium’s events and projects throughout 2024 and 2025 (or beyond if the delegate is inspired to do so).

Application assessment criteria

In assessing applicants, Slow Food Noosa Inc Panel will favour Slow Food Noosa members who are local growers, producers, chefs, food artisans, educators, and active Slow Food Noosa supporters. Delegates will be assessed against the following criteria (maximum points = 60):

1. The applicant, through their association with the food industry, demonstrably embraces the values and principles of the Slow Food philosophy (10 points)
2. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to, and/or participated in, Slow Food Noosa activities that assist with member and community education and engagement of the Slow Food principles (i.e., talking at events, hosting a Slow Food Noosa event, assisting or cooking at a Slow Food function, presenting as an industry expert in the Slow Food Snail Kids program) (10 points)
3. The applicant exhibits good stewardship of sustainability and good, clean and fair food production (10 points)
4. The applicant promotes the Slow Food values to their staff, customers and/or other relevant stakeholders, so that the message of importance and value of Slow Food is evident through their actions and communication (10 points)
5. The applicant invests in continual improvement of practices that build on Slow Food philosophy (10 points)
6. The applicant supports Slow Food Noosa in its aim to educate and engage the broader community (10 points)

Essential Criteria

Applicants must…

1. Be a current Slow Food Noosa member
2. Be a recipient of Snail of Approval and/or active member of Slow Food Noosa
3. Hold a current international passport / be able to obtain an international passport within the timeframe
4. As outlined above, be willing to share their experiences with Slow Food Noosa members prior to departure (objectives for attending Terra Madre) and again upon return (what did you learn or what changes will you make on return as a result of attending) from Terra Madre
5. Be willing to support Slow Food Noosa by joining the committee as a volunteer to help faciliate events and projects on their return for 2024 and 2025 (or beyond if you desire).

Further information

Specific enquiries should be addressed to:
Andy Coates, Slow Food Noosa President
Email: info@slowfoodnoosa.com
Phone: 0448 404 680

Closing Date

Return your completed Delegate Application by Monday 18 March 2024.

• Complete the form below by typing your responses directly into the fields.
• Once finished, click ‘submit’.
• You must complete the form in one go as there is no ‘save’ option.

Successful applicants will be notified of outcomes by end March 2024.

Section 1: Personal Details

Section 2: Applicant Responses

End of application - Thank you

Please click 'Submit' to finalise your application

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by end March 2024.