On 1 April, I attended the SF UK Leaders meeting in London at "Flaneur" Food Hall and Restaurant on Farringdon Road. Highly recommended to food lovers for dinner, shopping and take away. The owner is a Slow Food member, hence the venue for the meeting. SF UK Board members were all present with presentations on progress with the UK office, fund raising strategies and new marketing packages. In a nutshell, the SF UK strategy aims for

• £750,000 turnover in 5 years, these money coming from fees, trusts, benefactors and events
• 25 UK Presidia Products (currently only 5)
• 110 Ark of Taste UK products (currently 23)
• A strong Education strategy that would allow SF UK qualify for Charitable status
• SF UK Congress every 4 years

These and other strategic lines will hopefully make a difference and SF UK are keen to hear from all of you with ideas for support and development. Specifically, a new marketing programme has been launched "Local Business Supporters". This is to allow local businesses, known to SF Convivia and members to support SF UK through donations. Four different categories of supporters are proposed and you should receive a copy of the marketing brochure by mail shortly. Every SF member finding 3 local supporters will be awarded a year free membership. The concept is still being discussed among Leaders as there are a series of "grey area" issues with potential supporters and you may want to participate in this debate, which is now possible through the SF London website. See the Member's area Links list for details.

Tamara Schiopu