Five thousand food producers from 120 countries and five continents--eco-farmers, fishermen, shepherds, cheesemakers, traders and distributors---have convened in Turin, Italy for four days as part of Slow Food's biodiversity forum Terra Madre: A World Meeting of Food Communities.
The first international conference on protecting food product diversity will be focused on solutions for sustainable agro-food production techniques and systems that are friendly to the environment, protect the health of consumers and defend world heritage of agricultural biodiversity and gastronomic traditions. The event is held at the same time as the bi-annual Slow Food Salone de Gusto, perhaps the world’s largest showcase of agricultural and food products.
Roughly 500 of the attendees are from the United States. Several of them from the Bay Area including Eatwell Farms, Frog Hollow Farms, Tierra Vegetables, and Marquita Farms.
In Slow Food founder, Carlo Petrini's opening speech on Wednesday he stated, "believe that never as in this moment in time have consumers shared a common destiny. The safeguarding of our food heritage is a mutual obligation and as such can only be achieved by new ways of sharing. Only if consumers become co-producers and fully grasp the fact that production is being threatened, and only if producers assume the burden of quality, ensuring food safety, sustainability, pleasure and human rights, can we leave this difficult moment behind us."
I've been a member of Slow Food for several years. While I embrace the philosophy of the organization I have been a bit disappointed in their events as they tend to attract a rather upscale individual rather than one who is engaged and aware of biodiversity and cultural preservation and heritage. Terra Madre represents a strategic and needed shift to give this organization visibility and credibility as a lobby for the environment, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and promoting healthy, dynamic food systems around the world.
Read more
Raisin farmers meet yak herders? Christian Science Monitor
Fairs: A politically-charged food fest International Herald Tribune
Treasures of the Terra Madre The Scotsman
Thanks for the post, and the links to further articles. Julia Wiley (Mariquita) also sent a blog post from Terra Madre that is on Saute Wednesday. Also, don't forget that Rancho Gordo is there!
Posted by: jen | October 25, 2004 at 12:10 PM
I was there and have accepted the task of linking all beekeepers, and associated groups together by a monthly text based email. Anyone interested will find a link on my web site in a day or two once I have created the on-line database for self entry.
BR
Posted by: Mike | October 26, 2004 at 01:44 AM
I have set it up
www.bees.co.uk/ivcb open to all beekeepers and associates, who wish to stay in touch via the monthly email newsletter.
I have called it
International Virtual convivium for Beekeepers. IVCB
Thanks
Posted by: Mike | October 27, 2004 at 08:39 AM