Slow Food International was established 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.”
Since then, the grassroots organization has grown into a global movement involving millions of people around the world, working to ensure access to good, clean and fair food for all. According to the group, Slow Food means living an unhurried life, taking time to appreciate simple things, starting at the table.
They believe that food is tied to several aspects of our 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,” reads the website.
One of their projects, called Ark of Taste, is an online catalog with contributions from all across the world that represent the Earth’s edible diversity, which is at risk of being lost. “Thanks to the contribution of many people, we have cataloged thousands of products so far, but there is still a long way to go. So, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal: to board thousands of products on the Ark, tracking them down in every corner of the planet.”
