WHAT IS THE ARK OF TASTE?
The Slow Food UK Ark of Taste is a catalogue of exceptional food products in danger of disappearing due to current food production and distribution systems.
The UK Ark is part of an international initiative set up by Slow Food's Foundation for Biodiversity. Through this framework, Slow Food UK defends local food traditions, protects biodiversity and promotes small-scale quality products all around the country.
There are currently twenty-six products in the UK Ark of Taste, from fruits or cheese to rare breeds or alcoholic beverages. Nominations are made by our members and supporters who help to identify products, practices and species which are endangered and which through our network of local groups we can help to support.
The UK Ark is overseen by the UK Ark Commission which meets three or four times a year to taste and review nominations. Experts relevant to the nominated products join the permanent members of the UK Ark Commission at each meeting to ensure that all our criteria are met.
Slow Food’s Foundation of Biodiversity uses the research of experts all over the world to include over 700 products in 50 countries within the global Ark of Taste catalogue. More than 300 of them have received additional support through our Presidia projects.
