Italian association promoting the protection of the right to taste, and the conservation of cultural foods, recipes, and agricultural techniques that are in danger of disappearing. The organization, which uses a snail as its symbol, gives out annual awards to farmers, beekeepers, scientists, shepards, viticulturists, cheesemakers, and brewers whose work rediscovers or disseminates traditional ancient tastes and flavors or protects biodiversity. The group was started in 1986 by journalist Carlo Petrini, as a reaction to the opening of a McDonald’s next to the Spanish Steps in Rome. Inspired the international Slow Food Movement, which has about 60,000 members in 43 countries.