City Cast Madison logo

How the Slow Food Movement Expanded at UW-Madison

Posted on August 19, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Natalia Aldana

Natalia Aldana

Hey there, food consumer. Slow down! (Tanja Ivanova / Getty Images)

Hey there, food consumer. Slow down! (Tanja Ivanova / Getty Images)

The Slow Food movement began in Italy in 1986 under the belief that local food and traditional cooking preserves regional cuisines, encourages farming, and promotes sustainability. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, overproduction, and food waste, the movement and its ideas have since spread worldwide.

Slow Food UW began in 2007 through Genya Erling and a small group of students to bring the produce and food from Southern Wisconsin to campus. Slow Food UW has taken the movement’s credo and expanded it to provide meals to the Madison community.

Their Family Dinner Night started as a small group of students cooking together, and grew to a partnership with guest chefs from Madison restaurants. In 2009, Slow Food UW began serving dinner to the community weekly during the school year. In 2011, Slow Food’s café began serving affordable food on campus.

Slow Food UW is always looking for volunteers to work either of their weekly food events.

🍅 Plus, how to become an urban farmer
see more:food

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Madison History

See All
Madison HistoryApril 15

The History of Madison in 10 Isthmus Headlines

Madison alt-weekly Isthmus is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. The editors dug through the archives to look to see how the ne...

A black-and-white photo of two men surrounded by newspapers.
Madison HistoryMarch 30

The Most Memorable Tone Madison Headlines

For a decade, Tone Madison has been an essential part of Madison’s independent media landscape. As the website announces that it's shutti...

The words "TONE MADISON" in orange on a beige screen.
Madison HistoryAugust 12, 2024

What Used to Be There?

If you are like me, when walking around Madison you wonder what once was in all of these cool buildings. Just me? Well what can I say, I’...

Yellow train on the tracks.
Madison HistoryJuly 8, 2024

The Local History of Regent Street

Regent Street has been a site of much renovation and change in the past year. From new restaurants to housing, the near-West side communi...

The Italian Workmen’s Club is right next to Sweet Home Wisconsin on Regent Street.
Madison HistoryJune 14, 2024

Juneteenth Celebration Turns 35

Juneteenth is a significant day in U.S. history.

People standing on a stage at a Juneteenth celebration.
Madison HistoryMay 13, 2024

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month in Madison

Jewish American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Jews and the Jewish community to American life. President George W. Bush o...

Man wearing yarmulke and reciting Amidah with people during Jewish congregation at synagogue - stock photo
Madison HistoryMay 6, 2024

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Madison

According to 2021 census data, there are 24 million people of Asian descent living in the United States, as well as 1.7 million people wh...

Representative Patsy Mink announces the formation of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at a press conference with (left to right) Representatives Don Edwards and Norman Mineta, Guam Delegate Robert Underwood, and Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Neil Abercrombie
Madison HistoryMarch 4, 2024

Celebrating Women’s History Month in Madison

During March, we highlight and honor women’s great contributions to the U.S. But before there was a month, it started as a week, and inte...

A woman operating a machine at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, 1942. (Universal History Archive / Getty Images)

The latest in Madison

Madison NewsSeptember 14

How the Historic Meta Settlement Will Impact Wisconsin

Get the details on Wisconsin’s $200M share of the historic $17B Meta settlement as Attorney General Josh Kaul joins City Cast Madison to...

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul stands at a podium
Food & DrinkSeptember 10

How the Essen Haus Has Avoided the Wrecking Ball...So Far

Celebrate Oktoberfest 2026 at Madison's iconic Essen Haus on Saturday, Sept. 12! Enjoy a full day of live indoor/outdoor music, German be...

The front of The Essen Haus - a grey building with gold trim. The restaurant sign is pink.
Madison NewsSeptember 9

How the U.S.-Canada Trade War Could Hurt Wisconsin Farmers

Canada has retaliated with $20 billion in tariffs against the U.S. following a breakdown in trade talks. Here is how these new trade barr...

a brown cow looks out through a holding pen.
Madison's BestSeptember 8

Ann Garvin Has a Surprise in Store For Her Readers

Madison author Ann Garvin shares her glee in throwing readers a curveball with her poignant, messy new novel, hitting stores September 8.

Author Ann Garvin poses in front of a red wall.
Food & DrinkSeptember 3

Where To Eat Halal in Madison

Madison’s first-ever Halal Restaurant Week runs Sept. 4-13. Discover local restaurants offering special menu options prepared in accordan...

A plate of meat and vegetables.
Madison's BestSeptember 1

What To Do in Madison in September 2026

Discover the best things to do in Madison, Wisconsin, in September 2026! From vibrant fall festivals to concerts and athletic events, pla...

A post for the theater show "Steady as She Goes" by Erica Berman. An illustration of a woman with blue flowing hair that looks like ocean waves.
Madison, ExplainedAugust 31

How Voit Farm Will Transform Madison’s East Side

For 160 years, the 65-acre Voit Farm was a Madison fixture. Explore the ambitious new redevelopment plan bringing hundreds of homes, gree...

Two large blue buildings under construction.
Food & DrinkAugust 27

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

This month’s list of the area’s best new restaurants includes a new outpost for a wildly popular local pizza chain, a new sushi spot near...

A blue bowl filled with a scallop tiradito.