How & Why We Started

In 1989 at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, journalist Carlo Petrini was not happy with what he saw. McDonald’s had announced plans to open a restaurant at the bottom of this world-famous location. For him, it seemed that a global takeover of fast food was underway. He was certain it would be the beginning of the end for traditional and regional Italian foods. Petrini, together with a passionate group of followers, spoke out against the fast food chain. McDonald’s didn’t open at the Spanish Steps. The protest gave birth to the Slow Food movement, which aims not only to counter fast food global domination, but promotes local production and environmentally responsible farming practices.