The Slow Food movement said Friday that its Italian founder, Carlo Petrini, has died at the age of 76.
    Founded in 1986 in response the arrival of the first McDonald's in Italy, the Slow Food movement is aimed at reviving artisanal, eco-friendly food production techniques that are threatened by industrial farming and mass food production.
    The organization now has members and supporters in 160 countries, defending local food traditions, supporting biodiversity, tackling food waste and promoting small-scale quality products.
    Petrini, who was born in the Piedmont town of Bra in 1949 and was a Time magazine hero of the year in 2004, also established the Terra Madre international network and conference and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo Slow Food described Petrini as "a visionary leader and public intellectual with a profound commitment to the common good.
    "He brought to life a global movement rooted in the values of good, clean, and fair food for all, connecting communities, farmers, food artisans, cooks, activists, and young people across the world," it said.
    "'Those who sow utopia reap reality' - a phrase Carlo Petrini loved to say - encapsulates his life.
    "He firmly believed that dreams and visions, when they are just, capable of inspiring collective participation, and pursued with conviction, are not impossible to achieve.
    "He combined the ability to dream with a deep sense of joy and collective purpose, paving concrete paths toward social change.
    His work was always rooted in collaboration with others, especially younger generations, and guided by passion, empathy, and fraternity.
    "His energy, his determination, and his lifelong dedication to others will remain a guiding force for the entire Slow Food movement and for all those who shared his vision".

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