Slow Food Farms
Slow Food Farms are set to become the largest global network of farms dedicated to producing good, clean and fair food in a way that’s rooted in agroecological principles.
Aligned with Slow Food’s philosophy that everyone deserves access to nourishing food that supports communities, honors the Earth and strengthens local economies, these farms embody the future of sustainable agriculture
The context
The industrial food system, driven by efficiency and profit, has devastating impacts on our health, environment, society and economies. Large-scale farming and global food distribution are major contributors to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the depletion of vital natural resources, all while deepening social inequalities and threatening our well-being.
Small-scale farmers and their communities are the most affected, grappling with natural disasters, health crises and unstable markets. Meanwhile, consumers are often left feeling powerless, with limited access to real, sustainable alternatives.
Slow Food unites all those who believe in producing and consuming food with respect for people, animals and the planet—from farmers to food artisans to conscious citizens.
What is a Slow Food Farm?
A Slow Food Farm is a plot of land cultivated for agricultural purposes according to the principles of agroecology, used for growing crops and/or for raising animals for human consumption. It may include a processing unit but cannot be solely for processing.
By integrating farms into resilient local food systems, Slow Food Farms not only enhance farmers’ livelihoods but also ensure fair compensation and long-term economic stability.
Slow Food amplifies the voices of these farmers, connecting them to a global community—including activists, chefs, consumers, food artisans, fishers and fellow farmers—who have long supported the movement.
What do we do?
To foster the growth of this global network, Slow Food has launched a dynamic training program for activists (Slow Food Farm Accelerators). This initiative empowers participants to engage with local agroecological farms and offer essential support.
Through education, peer-to-peer learning, improved market access and strong community connections, Slow Food Farms are cultivating food systems that nurture communities and safeguard our planet for future generations.
Accelerators are dedicated Slow Food activists who engage with local agroecological farms, offering crucial support to strengthen their presence and impact within the Slow Food network and local food systems.
Their role includes:
Participating in agroecological training programs: They take part in training programs with the purpose of becoming an accelerator and a driver for change.
Facilitating farm integration: Accelerators map new farms and help them join the Slow Food network by connecting them with local cooks, markets and activists. This improves marketing opportunities, supports fair revenue generation and enhances farmers' livelihoods—with backing from the local Slow Food community and Slow Food headquarters.
Advocating for farmers’ needs: They gather insights from farmers on the ground, ensuring that their individual needs are addressed thanks to support from Slow Food headquarters and experts from across the global network.
Fostering peer-to-peer learning: Accelerators build a thriving learning community, drawing on Slow Food’s decades of global and local fieldwork experience while collaborating with partners committed to agroecology.
Monitoring local progress: They track and assess the program’s developments at the local level, ensuring continued growth and success.