Last night Benny Di Zitti, a dear friend of Slow Food, a historic Canadian member, died prematurely. We are deeply saddened by this news and we send our love and deepest condolences to his family.
An architect and planner by profession and an early researcher and advocate of sustainable development, Benny has lived, worked and eaten his way through Europe, Africa, South-East Asia, North America and the Caribbean. His belief in the need for change for a better world has propelled him into civic action and community engagement. His is a past chair of the Annex Residents Association in Toronto, the Centre Wellington Citizens’ Coalition and the Roseneath Theatre. Exposure to diverse ecosystems and cultures accompanied by a myriad of culinary experiences nourished an early interest in food, its preparation, its environmental and cultural roots and the culinary arts. This interest connected Benny to the Slow Food movement. In 2005 he established Slow Food Elora, then co-chaired the convivium until it merged with Guelph to form Slow Food Guelph-Wellington County.
“Benny has always been a great and passionate supporter of Slow Food projects and campaigns in Canada and around the world, said Paolo Di Croce, Slow Food Secretary General. Just a few months ago, he organized and hosted the National Summit of the Slow Food in Canada network, demonstrating once again his warm hospitality, his passion and desire to support the great challenges of Slow Food to create a better world: a good, clean and fair world for all”.