As one of the first Slow Food chapters in the US, Slow Food Boulder County has a rich history. Anyone with taste buds is welcome to join and get involved. Under Membership Preferences, choose Slow Food Boulder County.

We are a community for people with a passion for safeguarding our local food system, food traditions and culture.  Together, we learn and rediscover pleasure in everyday life by slowing down, appreciating the pleasures and traditions of the table.  

Our Mission: Slow Food USA and Slow Food Boulder County strive to create a world where all people can eat food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it, and good for the planet.

Our History: Boulder’s Slow Food convivium began in a teepee in the early summer of 1997 and was one of eight in Colorado. Peggy Markel, director of a cooking school in Italy, met—and was inspired by—Carlo Petrini on a trip to Italy. She brought his vision back to Boulder and planted the seed of the first Slow Food convivium in the United States, culminating with formal membership status shortly thereafter… At that time, funds raised went to further education and support principals of Slow Food. In 2003, they donated money and time to ¡Cultiva!, a local group of at-risk kids who grew organic vegetables, sold them at the farmer’s market, and donated the rest to Community Food Share.

Meet the Slow Food BoCo team!

Chair: Jodie Lindsay Popma

Jodie is an educator and holistic nutritionist in Boulder County. She cares deeply about where her food comes from and how the community eats. She has worked in SVVSD and BVSD on school gardens and in the lunchroom. She also strives to connect producers and farmers. She is a mother of 2 boys and lives in Niwot. Jodie loves cooking and preserving everything Boulder County has to offer.

email: jodie@slowfoodboulder.org

Vice Chair: Amy Solan

I fell in love with the Slow Food movement (and with Colorado) after attending Slow Food Nations in 2018 and 2019. I was involved in Slow Food Orange County until I moved here at the beginning of 2020. Although the pandemic delayed my plans, I am excited to finally have more involvement in Slow Food Boulder County and the thriving food and agricultural community in this area.

This area has so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. To balance my love of food and wine, I enjoy running and hiking. I have a 1-year old Weimaraner, Zoe, who is training to become my running buddy. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve also rediscovered my love of horseback riding.

email: amy@slowfoodboulder.org

Membership & Outreach Chair: Rosie Skovron

Rosie, born and raised outside of Seattle, has quickly come to love the mountains and agricultural landscape of Colorado since moving here in 2020. Her passion for local food originated at summer camp in upstate New York, where she participated in farm chores, vegetable planting, and chicken harvests at 11 years old. Her full-time job is at Boulder County Farmers Markets as the Operations and Special Projects Coordinator, so she brings particular passion for supporting small Boulder County producers to the Slow Food team. When she isn't at the farmers market, you can find Rosie running on trails, backpacking, or working on New York Times crosswords.

email: rosie@slowfoodboulder.org

At Large Board Member: Lisa Balcom

Owner of Farow Restaurant I’m excited to work with Slow Food because our lifestyle and restaurant truly encompass this movement.  My husband and I are very passionate about sustainable farming, nutrient dense food and making things from scratch to truly know we are enjoying the highest quality foods we can put in our bodies.  We’ve spent a lot of time reading, learning and watching documentaries about our food system and are passionate about making change for the better, making good food more accessible and supporting t he people who grow and raise food with care.  I hope to contribute my knowledge of cooking and our food system to Slow Food, whether hosting events, teaching classes, or helping out with marketing and fund raising.  I fully believe in the work Slow Food does and am excited to contribute however I can.

email: lisa@slowfoodboulder.org

Treasurer/Finances: Kelly Buenning

Kelly Buenning is originally from Missouri but has moved throughout the US over the past two decades. In nearly every place she’s lived, she’s always tried to engage with the local food system through work or volunteering. She’s spent time working on farms, running farmers’ markets and teaching gardening programs to young children.

One advantage of her travels is that she was lucky enough to work with two incredible Slow Food chapters in both Wyoming and Kentucky. Since moving to Colorado she has been looking forward to learning more about her new home and the local food community, so she’s excited to become a part of Slow Food Boulder County. Kelly owns Fritz Family Brewers in Niwot with her husband, and spends her free time exploring her new home, gardening or chasing after her 2 small children.

email: kelly@slowfoodboulder.org

Interested in joining the team?

Complete this form: Slow Food BoCo Team Member Application