The Structure, Nature, and Purpose
Of the Slow Food Movement

The International Slow Food Movement is a nonprofit organization that critiques and opposes to the concept of “Fast Food” as well as the general malnutrition of Western consumption. The movement is dynamic, striving to promote healthy living through various ways, including a heavy emphasis on and practice of organic and local growth. Moreover, Slow Food promotes a return to rural lifestyle and, generally, traditional eating.

In 1986, Carlo Petrini launched the movement in
Italy in direct opposition to the opening of a McDonalds near the Spanish Steps in Rome. However, despite the protest’s success, it was not until three years later that delegates from 15 countries met in Paris to sign the movement’s Manifesto.

The objectives of Slow Food’s mission are expansive and ambitious. For instance, some objectives include seeking to form and maintain seed banks, practicing and protecting local culinary tradition, and organizing small-scale food processing. In addition, it strives to educate consumers about the health risks of fast food, as well as commercial agriculture and factory farms. Furthermore, on a policy level Slow Food lobbies for organic farming and the lessening of genetic engineering and the use of pesticides. Finally, the movement actively teaches gardening skills to students and prisoners and encourages lifestyles of ethical consumption. Petrini attests that “everyone has the right to good, clean and fair food” (“The Slow Food Story”, Andrew Geoff)

Since its formation, the organization and membership of the Movement have expanded tremendously. Petrini sits as President, and has worked to establish offices in Switzerland, Germany, New York City, Japan, the United Kingdom and Chile Today, the Slow Food Movement includes over one hundred thousand members in over one hundred and