As a species we rely on too few crop species for sustenance. Less than 30 plants now provide 95% of the world's consumption. Europe has lost 85% of agricultural products (biodiversity) in the last century, America 93%. This isn't just  robbing future generations of the opportunity to enjoying the unique flavours of the past & present, but dangerously reduces our ability to withstand major crop failures & diseases. Slow Food is the largest organisation in the world dedicated to the defence & safeguarding of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, the promotion & protection of small-scale producers and traditional foodstuffs. Through the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity we give resources, both promotional & practical to small, locally based producers whose products are under threat of extinction. All over the world our Ark of Taste project identifies these products; from Dorset Blue Vinney in the south of England to Andean Potatoes in Argentina. Slow Food make the commitment to investigate & catalogue the history of the product, promote it through local, national & international connections. Should a product be in imediate danger of extinction it can also be upgraded to Presidia status, where Slow Food actually renders direct financial and marketing assistance. In the UK this has saved the Old Gloucester breed of cow along with several others, around the world it has prevented more than 350 breeds, varieties & products being lost to the world forever. Around 35% of your membership fee goes to these projects and to help these producers.

Slow Food is dedicated to supporting local producers and with good reason; local producers make communities richer, socially & financially. The social impact is dramatic. Locally owned shops & restaurants generate more than twice as many jobs per pound of income as multinational chains. They also serve as hubs for the local community; they are more likely to sponsor & support local charities, organise community events and build links between other businesses to enhance the surrounding area (your high street!). The financial benefits to your community may be less obvious, but local owned shops & restaurants tend to spend their money locally. It is estimated that every £1 spent in locally owned store is worth about £2.50 to the local economy, by contrast, that same £1 spent in supermarket is worth only £1.40 to the local economy. By inspiring our supporters & members to look for local produce, we help support local businesses, who in turn, support local producers. This virtuous circle makes your community a richer, more diverse place.

Of course, the main reason we support local producers is that what they make usually tastes better! Often the biggest problem isn't the price of what they sell (cutting down on transportation & the need to generate vast profits for shareholders means they often beat supermarkets on price), the availability and it's almost never quality; the biggest problem is public awareness. Most local producers pour their heart & soul into the product & have little time or money left over for marketing, in complete contrast to multi-nationals who have very little interest in securing quality, but plenty of money for marketing. By organising events for the public, we alert them to what is available on their doorstep. Your local convivium spends it's entire time coming up with tastings, suppers, visits & workshops designed to enthuse & inform you about the very best of good, local produce. This kind of word of mouth marketing is invaluable to producers and can be the difference between success & failure. For this reason 35% of your membership fee goes to your local convivium so it can organise the best, most affordable events possible.