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that the Slow Food organisation now has criteria for inclusion in the USA Ark? To qualify as a passenger on the Ark, each product :
Must be a unique, high quality product with excellent flavour
Must be at risk of extinction - of being lost in the world of standardised food
Historically, socio-economically or culturally, must be tied to a precise territory or locality (products are often named after their place of origin)
Must be limited in production (although a potential for increased production is
desirable)
If a refined or crafted product (such as smoked meat or aged cheese) then must be prepared according to specific techniques that reflect tradition or an innovative
interpretation of traditional methods
Must be symbolically important as a regional food
The definition says an Ark product may be animal (e.g. Red Abalone) or vegetable (e.g. the Gilfeather turnip) or mineral (say a specific sea salt). Or it could be a food, like Creole Cream Cheese.
The aim is to create a "lively market place for endangered foods" and to "shine the spotlight on small producers of high quality regional foods"
Slow Food USA is at PO Box 1737, New York, N.Y., 10021, Phone (212) 988-5146
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