The US representative to Slow Food International, Bilal Sarwari, visited CWRU on November 21, 2025, hosted by DMLL’s program in Italian, CWRU’s recognized student organization Slow Food on Campus, and the university’s Squire Valleevue Farm. His talk in Thwing Center described the worldwide Slow Food organization and its many activities, then focused on Slow Food Farms, a key part of the global network that uses agroecological principles to produce food that is good, clean, and fair. It aims to build a more sustainable and equitable food future through working with nature rather than against it, based on social, environmental, and economic justice.

The role of world languages and cultures in this immense tapestry was strongly emphasized. Slow Food values and appreciates the pioneering work of CWRU’s DMLL, led by the Italian program due to Slow Food’s Italian origins, to create courses that invite collaboration and interdisciplinary content, focusing on Slow Food to support the study of world languages and culture. Plans are underway for greater expansion of these activities, and Squire Valleevue Farm at CWRU is also anticipated to become much more involved.

Sarwari visited the university’s farm with students and other interested attendees later that day. The afternoon at the farm included delicious refreshments featuring items produced there, and screening of a film selected by Slow Food on Campus to highlight themes of gathering around the table to share gratitude for good, seeking innovation that may challenge barriers, making the most of resources, and overcoming hindrances to achieving goals, aspects also captured in this visit! It was an exceptionally inspiring and enriching event for everyone who participated.