Potato Day

September 15^th  is the “National Day of the Potato” in France. No, its not some deep rooted agrarian festival from the days of pre-Napoleon era lore. It is new, it’s  Slow Food France  who is having events all over the country promoting the spud as a way to feed people around the globe.

That is part of what Slow Food does besides counteracting fast food, they are trying to encourage farming that is less intensive and not as damaging. That means eliminating factory farming, no mutant hybrid DNA structures on our menus, and not snacking on chemical-laden packaged goods with eternal shelf lives. Slow Food is about connecting with mother nature, thinking about food beyond the dinner plate and back to the fulfillment of food as an experience like home gardening, or shopping at the farmers market where you connect with the producer, and finally eating food in season: fruits and vegetables that are full of nutrition naturally. It is this way that one realizes that food has an unbreakable connection with the land, seasons, and people; that we are all interconnected on earth.

Nutrient-rich all in one multi-vitamins called potatoes could contribute to improved diets thus reducing mortality rates caused by malnutrition across the world.  Through out the hexagon Slow Food France Conviviums are hosting gastronomic activities to educate: fun potato games, plays and productions for children. A place where you can shake hands with some potato farmers and a chance to eat some amazing tubers. In my Convivium of Narbonne, we are providing potato activities for school kids, holding a local recipe contest and working with local Languedoc farmers to showcase their spuds. I will be judging the recipe contest and teaching how to prepare some of these potato dishes during the show.  

The Paris Bastille Convivium are offering a film festival called Cinémaligre in the 12^th near the big clock. At 1pm there will be a lunch with potatoes from the community garden of Aligre. They will be screening a film made by Phillippe Baqué and Alidou Badini about equitable trade called, “The Butter and the Money of Butter.” Stick around for dinner at 19h with mini bites of a variety of potato plats: purees, warm salads, and seafood (between 2 and 4 euros)

Paris 12ème – Place d’Aligre – 15 September – Tastings at 1pm and 7pm
Contact : slowfood.bastille@wanadoo.fr

Slow Food Terroirs of the World is putting on a show at Paris Accordéon with musical inspiration with tuber tastings, and plays for kids and adults.  In the 14^th at Paris Accordéon (parisaccordeon.com)  80, rue Daguerre – 15^th September - Dégustation et animations entre 10h00 et 17h00 (sans interruption)
Contact : Daniel Vergos 01 47 60 19 41 d.vergos@wanadoo.fr

If you are in the south of France stop by Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a tasting potato recipes contestants to be judged by a jury in collaboration with the Conference of Potatoes of Pertuis.

Châteuneuf du Pape (84) – 15 September – exposition during the afternoon and  tastings at 19h
Contact : Françoise Deloustal 06 24 26 54 81 deloustal.francoise@orange.fr

For a round up of all the Potato Festivities check out the Slow Food France website.