I wouldnt call the slowfood movement so much elitist as a bit twisted. Polish Mead, the Istrian Giant Ox, and the Tehuacan Amaranth were not necessarily exclusive foodstuffs for the Polish, Istrians and Tehuacanos (?) as local products that were used out of neccesity rather than for their unique qualities.

Although i agree these heirlooms should be preserved, i dont like with the process of presenting them as "Candidates" before "Slow Food’s International Ark Commission." Aside from sounding a bit too masonic, this also puts these lowly ingredients on a golden pedestal, with a price tag to match it.

One thing i love about living in europe is that there are still enough old people around to keep most stores stocked with at least some local products (things that people ate before industrialization / nutritionism / whatever).

And unfortunatley all the encounters i have had with anything written-up or affiliated with slowfood have left me feeling underdressed and unnacepted into the club. what would Marx have said to this (Groucho or Karl)?