The Slow Food Movement
Eat Well, Feel Better, Live Longer.
Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization, founded in 1989 to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life and combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from and how our food choices affect the world around us.
The movement bases itself on three fundamental tenets: whole foods in the food service industry and at home, clean production methods that preserve the environment and fair pricing for both consumers and producers. By buying food that is good, clean and fair, you’re supporting and encouraging both new and old ethical farming businesses.
From an Idea to a Global Network
Slow Food was started by Carlo Petrini and a group of activists in the 1980s with the initial aim to defend regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure, and a slower pace of life. Since then, the movement has evolved to embrace a comprehensive approach to food that recognizes the strong connections between plate, planet, people, politics and culture. Today Slow Food represents a global movement involving thousands of projects and millions of people in over 160 countries.
Slow Food believes food is tied to many other aspects of life, including culture, politics, agriculture, and the environment. Through our food choices we can collectively influence how food is cultivated, produced, and distributed, and change the world as a result. Slow Food envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet.
The Slow Food Approach
Their approach is based on a concept of food that incorporates three interconnected principles:
Good: quality, flavorsome and healthy food
Clean: production that does not harm the environment
Fair: accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for producers
6 Great Reasons to Choose Slow Food
1.) Seasonal food is more nutritious
Eating in-season food means it’s fresher and contains more nutrients. This means is a reduced risk of many preventable, diet-related diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. What’s more, consuming nutritionally dense in-season food helps to maintain a healthy body weight. The simple fact is that healthier food choices help to ensure you live better and longer.
2.) Slow food is better for you
One of the best things about slow food is that it’s produced by local farmers. With a commitment to making things as healthy and natural as possible, their fresh food offerings are always free from chemicals, preservatives, and genetic modifications. That means better and tastier food that’s been grown by people who understand the importance of quality produce.
3.) You can save money
Yes, seasonal slow food is cost-effective. Buying in-season food means less refrigeration, less transport, less irradiation of produce and no need for international imports. Without the added refrigeration and transportation expenses, you can enjoy lower costs as the consumer.
4.) More environmentally friendly
Slow Food cuts down on the large carbon emissions created by shipping food around the world. Eating slow means eating food that is free from pesticides and chemicals, making them more environmentally friendly than conventionally farmed foods.
5.) Supports local producers
Buying locally strengthens local economies and helps your community to flourish. Consider using crops that your local farmers need to produce for healthier soil, along with high-demand crops, to make an even bigger impact.
6.) It's convenient
One of the common misconceptions about buying organic and following the slow food movement is that it’s difficult to obtain. Not so. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to do a slow food shop. There are reliable and convenient online stores that do all the shopping for you while you support local producers.
Slow Food allows you to enjoy delicious food and feel good doing it. Nothing wrong with that!
Find out more at: www.slowfood.com