The Rome Sustainable Food Project

I moved to Rome because of Alice Waters.

I moved to Rome because of Alice Waters, and I had never even heard of the Rome Sustainable Food Project.

Italian table

Long story short: Alice Waters led to Carlos Petrini led to Amartya Sen led to a cat and an Irishman and a life in Rome.

Last night was a reminder that everything comes full circle in the end.

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The Rome Sustainable Food Project was founded in 2007 at the American Academy in Rome.  Alice Waters, Mona Talbott and Chris Boswell created a food haven for the fellows up on the Gianicolo.

Growing tomatoes

With 14 raised beds, and a few trees, the RSFP harvests 6,000 pounds of fruit and vegetables a year.

Chris RSFP

Last night was one of those Roman summer evenings that threatens rain, offers lightening, only to hold off in the end without a downpour.

We drank prosecco, toured the garden and toasted Verdure, the latest collection of recipes from RSFP by Chris Boswell.

AAR

It was a lovely night, filled with food and friends.

Food is always better with company and I was thrilled to see Sara, Marta, Kelly and Elizabeth.  Plus the gnocchi… oh the gnocchi!

I cannot wait to make the insalata di zucchini con rughetta e ricotta.

 

7 thoughts on “The Rome Sustainable Food Project

  1. Leah says:

    I just moved to Rome and discovered your blog while doing some research/googling. I love it, and I can’t wait to make the same discoveries as you. Now I’m off to sign up for a Friends of the Academy membership. Thanks for sharing!

  2. jann says:

    Natalie, thank you for this lovely post. My husband has had 2 short-term visiting artist grants at the Academy. Leaving was soooooooo hard. I’m begging him to reapply.

    • Natalie says:

      Hi Jann, what a lovely experience it must have been! I am toying with the idea of interning but can’t quite find a way to break from work right now. If you are ever in Rome and want to pop in for lunch, let me know!

  3. Pingback: The American Academy in Rome – An American in Rome

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