The Slow Food Revolution

“Eating with the fullest pleasure—pleasure that does not depend on ignorance—is perhaps the profoundest enactment of our connection with the world.”
~ Wendell Berry

Given Italy’s reputation as a country of gourmands, it’s not a surprise that it gave birth to the slow food movement.

Slow Food International was founded in 1989. Its mission—to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and encourage people to slow down—was a direct reflection of the ways industrialization and globalization had already drastically changed the way people were eating and living all around the world. These founders recognized the threat of fast-paced, stress-inducing lifestyles to the health of their families, communities, and the planet at large.

Since Slow Food’s founding, the world has only gotten faster—and some would say, fatter. Prepared, processed, and fast foods are the norm. Our meals are often eaten on the go, an experience that prioritizes quantity and convenience over quality and connection.

What started as a passionate conversation in Italy has grown into a global grassroots movement working in 160 countries. The goal, “to ensure everyone has access to good, clean and fair food,” is for the benefit of farmers, producers, and consumers. Alongside well known authors such as Michael Pollan, Bill McKibben, Barbara Kingsolver and Wendell Berry, international organizations like Slow Food are fueling a food revolution.

The source and quality of our food is intrinsically tied to our own health, the health of our communities, and the earth. In order to safeguard our mental and emotional wellbeing, boost our immunity, and take a truly preventative view of health, we need to return to the roots of our food system.

Go Deeper: Supercharge your digestion and improve your gut health with Optimal Digestion

GO SLOW

Participating in the Slow Food movement is about more than food—it’s about adjusting your pace and your overall lifestyle. Dedicate time each day to savor what’s in front of you—a meal, a conversation, a traffic jam (a golden opportunity to focus on your breathing)—and clarify what’s most important to you. Sometimes the quick and convenient path works best in the moment (like a candy bar eaten on the run) but it’s often not what’s best for us in the longterm. There will always be days when we can’t avoid eating candy bars for dinner, but with clear intentions we can create lives for ourselves in which setting aside time to prepare meals for the day or week ahead is as important as getting to work on time or catching up on a Netflix series.

Go Deeper: Tending the Earth: Our Guide To Gardening and Slow Living: My Life As An Urban Homesteader

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Become a Slow Food member. Join the global movement for good, clean and fair food.

Donate. Help support projects around the world.

Save a product. Nominate an endangered product to the Slow Food Ark of Taste.

Be a responsible consumer. Vote with your fork for the world you want.

Sign the Slow Food Climate Pledge. Do your part to save the planet.

Photo by Jonathan Pielmayer via Unsplash