The movement was born in reaction to Fast Food. When the McDonald’s arches went up in Rome, journalist and gourmet Carlo Petrini saw this as an outrage. While the French trashed McDonald’s outlets, the Italians were more constructive. Petrini founded Slow Food. Its amazing growth, and the fact that it is now a global force, shows the international sympathy for the aims of the organisation.

Slow’s original aim was focused on preserving the biodiversity of the planet, with its priority preserving the past for future generations. We are anti pre-packaged, homogenised food - fast food that erodes culinary tradition. We promote food cooked with love and care. We believe in flavour, natural foodstuffs, and fresh ingredients rather than the convenience food that dominates today’s eating patterns.

Slow Food Cape Town is going to be starting a seed exchange. For further details contact Kate Schrier: kateschrire [at] gmail.com