He was appalled that global corporations were eroding Italy’s diverse and traditional food culture. He urged people to slow down and resist the globalisation of food production. The “Slow Food” movement was born.

That was 1986. Twenty-one years later and Ludlow’s Eco Park is set to become the home of the U.K’s arm of the movement, when they open their new headquarters later this year. The term “Slow Food” is becoming commonplace as Ludlow claims to be the “Capital of Slow” but what exactly does the movement stand for and what impact will it have in Ludlow?

The movement aims to educate and inform people of the benefits of eating locally sourced produce. Key to this process is the support of local farmers, the promotion of cultural food diversity and the elevation of organic food. The goal of this is to help communities become self-sufficient, supporting each other and not relying on the food production of global companies.

Fiona Richmond, UK co-ordinator of Slow Food will be working at the new site in Ludlow: “We move to the permanent office at the Eco Park as soon at is complete. That will be the Slow Food UK headquarters, we have a home there for the next six years.”

The site will act as a centre for co-ordinating the movement as it looks to expand in the UK: “This will be an administrative centre for the movement, able to offer an efficient and responsive service to Slow Food members, convivium leaders and enquirers from across the UK. It will give us a stronger focus and profile in the country, enabling us to build the movement yet further, supporting the convivia in their work at a local level, as well as implementing projects and activities on a national scale.”

With over 80,000 members worldwide the movement’s snail mascot leaves a global trail in over 100 countries. With the emphasis on quality and enjoyment rather than profit and speed Slow Food has numerous benefits.

By providing higher nutritional values than fast food, with lower levels of additives and preservatives it has numerous health benefits. Slow Food can help local economies by supporting local farmers, butchers and bakers, creating jobs selling the food and giving a much needed boost to local markets. Slow Food also has wide ranging environmental benefits. Less packaging means reduced waste and with goods sourced locally, transportation of produce is minimised leading to lower emissions and the use of less energy.

There will be no food sold at the new site but despite this Fiona thinks the impact will see a large increase in the amount of locally bought produce: “Although there won't be a direct impact on food available to buy, hopefully having the national Slow Food UK headquarters in Ludlow will help to promote yet further, the benefits and pleasures of shopping and eating locally sourced, good, clean and fair food.”

Slow Food holds it’s flagship event bi-annually when it transforms the Old Fiat factory in Turin into a food show called the Salone del Gusto. Producers of Slow Food run stalls selling their produce to visitors. It also acts as a way of spreading the Slow Food message through educational talks.

Fiona thinks that it won’t be long until a similar event takes place in this country: “As the movement develops, Slow Food UK may consider holding a similar event to the Salone del Gusto in Italy. In the meantime, Slow Food participates in many events and festivals throughout the year all over the country, through the network of local convivia. Slow Food UK is also preparing its national events strategy for the coming years.”

The Slow Food movement is beginning to take hold in another form. The Cittaslow (Italian for 'slow city') scheme was created in Italy in 1999 with the aim of promoting Slow Food values in local communities and making them a way of life. There are now three Cittaslow cities in Britain. Ludlow was the first British town to be approved, Aylsham in Norfolk followed and Mold recently became the first Welsh town to become a member. Mayor of Ludlow, Graham Kidd said: “The real benefit of Cittaslow to Ludlow is the way that it provides a hook to hang things on. It is a mindset that encourages us to work with people and organisations towards a common aim. The Cittaslow mindset has already led to the creation of a Healthy Café in the Leisure Centre.”

As the Slow Food movement spreads its message around the world global corporations continue to expand. It seems that a movement started over twenty years ago has more work to do now than ever.