Carlo Petrini has died

What's happened

Italian Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini has died at 76 in Bra, Piedmont, after a battle with prostate cancer. Petrini led Slow Food from 1989 to 2022 and helped launch Terra Madre and the University of Gastronomic Sciences. The movement now operates in more than 160 countries.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

• Petrini’s death marks the passing of a foundational figure in modern food activism. His philosophy of food as a public good has influenced countless restaurants, schools and policymakers.
• The coverage highlights his role in countering fast-food culture and promoting local, sustainable food systems.
• The story’s impact extends beyond Italy, reflecting a global movement in food ethics and policy.
• This update will likely prompt reflections on Slow Food’s current influence and the future of the Terra Madre network.

How we got here

Petrini helped launch Slow Food in 1986 to protest the opening of McDonald’s in Rome. The movement promotes “good, clean and fair” food and has become a global network of farmers, chefs and activists. He also founded Terra Madre and the University of Gastronomic Sciences, shaping modern food culture.

Our analysis

New York Times: Clay Risen; The Guardian: Angela Giuffrida; AP News; Reuters; The Independent

Go deeper

• What is Slow Food’s current reach in your country?
• How might Petrini’s legacy influence local food policy in the coming years?
• Which Slow Food initiatives are most active near you?

More on these topics

• Carlo Petrini - Italian editor

  Carlo Petrini, born in the province of Cuneo in the commune of Bra in Italy, is the founder of the International Slow Food Movement.

• Slow Food - Organization

  Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. It was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide.

• Piedmont - Italian region

  Piedmont is a region in northwest Italy, one of the 20 regions of the country. It borders the Liguria region to the south, the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions to the east and the Aosta Valley region to the northwest; it also borders Switzerland to the

• Italy - Country in Europe

  Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a sovereign country consisting of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands. Italy is located in south-central Europe, and is considered part of western Europe.