The theme is “expressed by two words, food and places, put into relation by two commonly used signs, + and =. What does this mean? It means that there could be no food without the places it comes from, food that is expression of the land, of the climate, and of human capabilities; that it is through food that each place expresses its distinctive, recognizable characteristics. Food as an edible and concrete part of our identity, as the element that shapes the landscape, as an expression of culture. Places here mean the territory that belongs to the people who were born there or live there now, that take care of their space and know it well.
We’ll be eating, writing, guiding and parenting our way across Italy in preparation for Terra Madre and Salone Del Gusto 2010 in Torino. Join US!
“Food is central to the debate on the environment, development, trade and globalization- but the potential for food choices to change the world should not be overestimated. The idea of saving the world by shopping is appealing, but tackling climate change, boosting development and reforming the global trade system will require difficult political choices.”
In the spirit of cooperation rather than competition, 4800 small-scale farmers, breeders and artisan food producers, 1000 chefs, and 400 academics, writers and policy makers from every continent worked toward a common goal of good, clean, and fair food.
check out the Terra Madre Blog. It already has listings from all over the world and will give you a feel from other participants.
I’m not a famous chef, an artisan food producer or a wine expert. I’m someone living in the middle of the American Farm crisis, I’m terrified by the obesity epidemic, I love to cook for my family and I am desperate to help save what little cultural diversity has thus far survived globalization.