Slow Food was started by Carlo Petrini and a group of activists in Italy the 1980s with the initial aim to defend regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life. In over two decades of history, 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.
History of Slow Food in Canada
Slow Food has been active in different regions in Canada for more than 10 years, with a particularly strong presence in Montreal, Ontario and British Columbia. During this time, Slow Food has become one of the most important bilingual food organizations in Canada.
Today, more than 1,300 Slow Food members belong to 30 convivia which span the country from Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island to Vancouver Island and even Whitehorse, Yukon.