Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food and champion of healthy, sustainable food, dies

The passing of Carlo Petrini, the visionary founder of the Slow Food movement, marks a profound loss not only for Italy but for the global community dedicated to sustainable and ethical food practices. Petrini, affectionately known as 'Carlin,' dedicated his life to championing a slower, more mindful approach to food, standing as a bulwark against the tide of fast food and industrial agriculture.

His brainchild, Slow Food, born in 1986, evolved from a cultural association aimed at rediscovering Italy's rich gastronomic heritage into a worldwide organization present in 170 countries. Through initiatives like the "Ark of Taste" and "Presidia" projects, Petrini championed the protection of biodiversity and supported small-scale producers, ensuring that unique food traditions and endangered ingredients would not be lost to homogenization.

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We are sick of so much, and that excess starts in our refrigerators.

Petrini's philosophy, encapsulated in the powerful mantra "good, clean, and fair," served as a moral compass for food consumption. It resonated deeply with global leaders, including Pope Francis and King Charles III, who recognized the urgent need for a food system that respects both human health and the planet's ecological balance. His call for conscious consumption and a reduction in meat intake, highlighting the stark contrast between food waste and global malnutrition, remains a critical message for our times.

From our perspective at ABC Color, Petrini's legacy is a testament to the power of grassroots movements to effect significant change. His work reminds us that food is not merely sustenance but a cultural, environmental, and social connector. While international media may focus on the global reach of Slow Food, we in Paraguay understand the deep local impact of promoting traditional agriculture and safeguarding our own unique culinary heritage, a mission Petrini inspired worldwide.

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30% of the planet's food is wasted, while a billion people suffer from malnutrition and 800 million are overweight. A solution? Let's start by reducing meat consumption.