Biodiversity

Safeguarding diversity to sustain our planet.

Life cannot exist without biodiversity, but the dominating industrial food system is engaged. Around the world, 75% of edible plant species have now become extinct while three cereals—wheat, rice, and corn—make up 60% of our food production. Our future depends on defending the diversity of plants and animals: learning lessons about what we have lost to focus on what we can save.

Slow Food was the first to consider food products and production techniques as integral aspects of biodiversity, in need of protection. Our conservation of food biodiversity by promoting agroecological practices and sustainable consumption choices is what sets our movement apart.

Our Goals

Research and catalog the heritage of food-related diversity as an expression of territory and identify the people who protect this heritage;

Support and promote those who preserve biodiversity and act as caretakers of local territories; those who use agroecological techniques and sustainable animal farming practices that respect animal welfare; those who manage the resources of the oceans, rivers, and lakes without overexploiting them; those who promote an agricultural model that can stop the spread of monocultures and intensive farming, as well as the concentration of power in just a few hands;

Create opportunities for dialogue and exchange (commercial and otherwise) between those who work to bring food from “farm to table”, as well as with consumers.
What We Do

Cataloging Endangered Food Products through the Ark of Taste

The Ark of Taste is the world’s greatest catalog of cultural and traditional biodiversity related to food and agriculture. We have identified thousands of plant varieties, animal breeds and traditional food products (including breads, cheeses, cured meats and sweets), highlighting the risk of their disappearance, saving them from extinction, and educating institutions and consumers about the need to protect them.
Explore the Ark of Taste

Safeguarding Biodiversity as Part of the Cooks Alliance

Members of the Slow Food Cooks Alliance share a commitment to protecting agricultural biodiversity while safeguarding food knowledge and local cultures. These cooks are ambassadors of local producers and food biodiversity and their work raises awareness of what good, clean and fair food is, and how we can make it a mainstay of the meals we create.
Join the Cooks' Alliance

Promoting Slow Food through International Earth Markets

Earth Markets form an international network of markets that follow the principles of Slow Food. Their protagonists are small producers, artisanal fishermen and food craftsmen, who sell only what they produce or catch and can personally guarantee the quality of their products, which are local, fresh and seasonal. Earth markets are traded at fair prices, benefiting those who buy as well as those who sell.
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Seeding Change through Gardens in Africa

The Gardens in Africa initiative preserves biodiversity, champions traditional knowledge and endorses small-scale agriculture through thousands of school and community gardens across the continent. The project draws on the communal wisdom and expertise to educate the youth on the significance of biodiversity and promote access to wholesome, fresh produce. Between 2010 to 2021, the Gardens in Africa project engaged nearly half a million individuals in training, educational and advocacy activities and funded 40 scholarships for African youth at UNISG.
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Protecting and Preserving Food Heritage through Slow Food Presidia

Presidia are formed of groups of producers committed to preserving and passing on traditional production techniques and crafts. These farmers, food artisans, herders, fishers and winegrowers care for their environments across all five continents, valorizing landscapes, places, local economies and cultures. The Presidia project has saved thousands of native breeds and varieties of fruits and vegetables from extinction, promoted rural landscapes and ecosystems and improved sustainable cultivation, livestock and fishing systems.
Find your local Presidia

Exploring Sustainably through Slow Food Travel

Slow Food Travel combines the best elements of exploring new cultures, offering a sustainable model for tourism based on the discovery of gastronomic traditions. It connects inquisitive travelers with Slow Food food communities promoting good, clean and fair products, and promotes immersive experiences that combine the pleasure of food with culture and conviviality.
Embark on slow, sustainable travel
What You Can Do

Learn More as a Consumer

Every purchase you make is a reflection of your values, and when you prioritize biodiversity in the products that you choose, you support farmers and communities preserving our food heritage. Discover how Slow Food can benefit you as a consumer.
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Act as a Producers

The future of our foodways is rooted in your labor. By embracing sustainable agroecological practices, shunning monocultures and celebrating the rich cultural and biological diversity inherent in the varieties you can cultivate, we become a barrier against the tide of intensive farming.
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Join the Global Community of Slow Food Cooks

Your kitchen is the stage where biodiversity shines. By crafting diverse local dishes from sustainably sourced ingredients, you not only stimulate the senses but also educate and inspire. Partner with the Cooks Alliance, network with local producers who uphold biodiversity and curate menus that narrate tales of regions, traditions and ecosystems.
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Join as a company

Businesses wield enormous influence in the structure of our food system. Champion the cause of biodiversity by promoting sustainable practices, supporting small-scale producers and partnering with Slow Food so that your impact is felt worldwide.
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