Creativity and our local food system – Charles Barth

In 805conversations by Mark Sylvester

The slow food movement and it’s regional importance

Charles Barth, the chair of Slow Food Ventura County, met with Mark and Patrick to talk about our local food economy in an enlightening conversation. Charles is involved at the State level as an Advisor for the Certified Farmers Market Commission in Sacramento, as well as integral to our local representation at the National level of the Slow Food Movement.

This wide-ranging conversation covered a lot of ground including:

  • The history of the Slow Food movement – it all started in Italy, and now 25 years later, there are 250+ local chapters, including one in Ventura County
  • Alice Waters is one of the guiding forces behind the movement here in the United States
  • Regional food systems and their importance
  • His favorites local Farmers’ Markets: Wednesday, Santa Monica, Saturday, Santa Barbara, Sunday, Hollywood
  • His startup, Wildwood Heritage Provisions
  • Stress reducing foods and diets
  • What’s the microbiome and why should you care – fascinating
  • How do food and social justices issues coexist?
  • Various places, locally, to experience food at events. SB Fermentation Festival produced by Katie Hershfelt of Cultivate Events
As frequent listeners know, Mark is/was a Chef before becoming a tech entrepreneur and is fascinated with food and the people who have found ways to turn their passion into a lifelong pursuit.