About Slow Food
Slow Food's impact is local and global
A Global Movement. A Local Mission.
Carlo Petrini began Slow Food in 1986 in Italy as a response to the spread of fast food and fast life - a declaration that food should be a source of pleasure, culture, and connection, not just convenience.
Today it's a global movement active in over 160 countries, uniting farmers, chefs, educators, activists, and food lovers around a single belief: food should be good for those who eat it, clean for the planet, and fair for those who grow it.
Slow Food USA brings that mission home connecting over 60 local chapters across the country, building grassroots momentum for a food system that values people, place, and the pleasure of the table.
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Good — food that is fresh, flavorful, and connected to local culture and tradition
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Clean — food produced in ways that protect ecosystems, animal welfare, and human health
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Fair — food systems that provide just conditions and fair wages for all who produce our food
And here in Boulder County, that's exactly what we do.
Slow Food USA exists to transform the American food system - from the ground up.
Good food doesn't happen by accident — it takes a community.
Slow Food USA is that community: a growing national network of farmers, chefs, educators, activists, policymakers, and passionate eaters working together to build a food system that's good, clean, and fair for all.
We collaborate across difference. Grassroots organizers sit alongside food-forward influencers. Local farmers connect with national policymakers. Chefs partner with seed savers. That breadth — those unlikely alliances — is exactly what gives our movement its strength.
With 50+ chapters across the country, Slow Food USA turns local passion into national change.
Plant a Seed for Change
Each year, we curate a collection of rare, biodiverse seeds that tells a story. This year we're celebrating beans - sourced from six U.S. regions, each with a unique connection to land and culture.
Beans enrich soil, conserve water, support biodiversity, and help fight climate change. Growing them is a small act with a big impact.
Ark of Taste
We promote sustainable agriculture, support small-scale food producers, and preserve traditional foods, knowledge and Presidia
(groups of artisan producers).
Food & Farm Policy
The Slow Food USA Food and Farm Policy Steering Committee brings together diverse stakeholders from our network, and beyond, to advocate at every level of government for policies that will help forge the political, social, environmental, and economic links of a food chain that is good, clean, and fair for all.
Youth Network (SFYN)
The SFYN connects the up-and-coming generation of passionate Slow Food members around the globe. Spurred by extra energy, innovative ideas and solutions that uphold the Slow Food philosophy are shared. Locally, Slow Food Student Network at the University of Colorado is building it's network!
Slow Fish
Slow Fish is an international campaign and series of gatherings that bring together fish harvesters with chefs, youth, farmers, and seafood eaters. The goal is to turn the tide away from industrial seafood and toward the blue commons and seafood that is good, clean, and fair for all.
Slow Seed
Seed advocates from around the world gathered virtually to discuss the regeneration of our world’s foodways to advance good, clean and fair food for all.
Snail of Approval
This is a recognition given to food and beverage establishments that are pursuing and practicing Slow Food values in their business. This is more than about making good food — it’s about making commitments to the environment, local communities, employees and purveyors, and our core values of antiracism and anti-oppression.
Cooks' Alliance
Cooks’ Alliance members continually strive to implement the values of Slow Food in their restaurant or establishment by procuring and highlighting Ark of Taste ingredients on menus, cooking for chapter events and focusing on the ethical and environmentally friendly practices in their restaurants. Want to support Cooks' Alliance? Negroni Week is in September.
School Garden Network
Slow Food USA’s School Garden Network helps kids reconnect with food by teaching them how to grow, cook, and enjoy it. When children gain confidence and skills in the garden and kitchen, they become informed eaters who make better choices — for themselves and for the future of food and farming.
Slow Books
Slow Books is a curated list of books and resources that speak to Slow Food values. We hope to connect readers with food writing that inspires thought and discussion about the food you love, diverse food cultures, historical foodways, food justice and the joy of eating. Great for Gift Giving!
Slow Meat
Cheap meat comes at a high cost — to animals, workers, our health, and the planet. It reflects a broken food system built on exploitation and excess.
Slow Meat shines a light on these issues and promotes better ways to raise and eat meat, creating a more ethical, sustainable, and nourishing future for all.
Slow Food Terra Madre Salone del Gusto
The regenerative message of Terra Madre 2024 was an invitation to all visitors: to develop a fresh outlook and new enthusiasm for the future of our food. An outlook that considers food the key to regenerating our planet, and a bridge to peace. This is the message that the words, actions of our representatives all express.
LEARN MORE
Together around specific issues, we campaign to make cultural shifts for food that is good, clean, and fair for all. Join us!
Check out Slow Food on YouTube to watch, learn and engage from national Slow Food experts and educators.