Voices from the Field

Spotlight on Slow Food

Stronger Together

What kind of a transformation could occur—in our lifestyles, our communities, and the earth—if we took the time to enjoy our food, rediscover where our food comes from, and think of ourselves as active participants in supporting food that’s good for the environment and the people who grow it? Those are some of the questions at the heart of the Slow Food Movement, founded on “recognition of the strong connections between plate and planet.”

An international member-supported organization with more than 1,000 chapters worldwide, the Slow Food Movement was born in Italy in 1986 and officially founded in 1989, with fifteen countries endorsing a Slow Food Manifesto. Its members come together around the belief that food should taste good and be produced in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, animal welfare, or our health, and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

In its outreach, Slow Food incorporates everyone from the passionate home cook and the sustainable farmer to the local restauranteur and the small-scale food retailer. The organization provides programs for people of all ages, from seasoned chefs to elementary school children, to learn more about making food choices around the pleasure of delicious and quality food. It supports the development of school and community gardens, holds events worldwide to promote local and artisanal foods, and facilitates the sharing of information about food choices.

To get involved and find a convivium (chapter) in your area, visit slowfood.com, and ask at the co-op about local restaurants and food producers who subscribe to the philosophy of Slow Food.