Attending the third edition of Terre Madre in October 2008 was tremendous.  It was a tangible experience of our world’s interconnectedness.  It motivated me with the confidence that small, individual; contributions will join with others to become the net that will catch us from ourselves.  A web-like network, stuck together with knowledge, tradition, culture, strength, power and pleasure.  It filled me with an unexpected sense of hope.

I was struck, initially, by the size of the event itself; over 6000 delegates from 152 nationalities, over 1000 observers.  It should not be overlooked that it was held at Olympic venues – the Palasport Olimpico Giovedi, for the opening and closing ceremonies, the Oval Pavilion for Presedia, Earth Workshops and regional meetings, and the Oval Lingotto Fiere for Salone del Gusto.  As delegate flag bearers from each country entered the stadium, the beats from drumming bands strategically placed in the stands pounded out the rhythm of growing excitement.  All sorts of people, proudly wearing traditional dress, speaking a myriad of languages, filled the stadium, dragging jet lagged feet but shining smiles.

In addition to Carlo Petrini, president of Slow Food and the Terre Madre Foundation, an impressive list of speakers addressed the crowd.  Alice Waters and Prince Charles (via video), Carlos Lopez, UN Assistant Secretary General read a personal message from Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, Vandana Shiva, President of Navdanya and Vice President of Slow Food, and several Italian Ministers and Politicians.  All speakers took aim at the current, interconnected crises of the economy, the global food paradox of obesity/starvation and climate change, firing answers out to the assembly – sustainable agriculture, small-scale, local farming, seeking out and documenting traditional knowledge, upholding cultural traditions, ecological and organic farming, biodiversity, water conservation, food equality and linked it to sharing a love of food and community.

The messages, simultaneously translated into eight official languages, followed through earth workshops focusing on strategies, products, education, markets, development, resources and networks of cooks and academics, presented over the next three days.  They weaved their way through plenary sessions on the future of the climate and food, seeds and GMOs, shortening supply chains, food security and bioenergy.

Between sessions, music from around the globe filled the air – the musicians, all farmer delegates, brought their love of music and instruments and serenaded a spontaneous market.   Food and clothing, carried in suitcases by delegates from developing countries were for sale to help offset the cost of traveling to Terre Madre.  Hammocks were set up in the quieter hallways for those with jetlag or more used to afternoon siestas – such a civilized gesture.  The rest of us propped ourselves up at the espresso bar for a jolt to keep our brains open and absorbent.

The Salone del Gusto, held concurrently with Terra Madre, opened its doors by presenting Slow Food Presidia (producers that adhere to production rules that respect tradition and environmental sustainability) set up by over 260 food communities in 50 countries.  Their stands were organized by geographical regions, each dedicated to a product protected by Slow Food and manned directly by producers.  I walked around and tasted Interdonato lemons sprinkled with salted capers, gelato (“So this is what it should taste like!), the oldest cheese (tasted like it had been dug out of the desert in its original amphora and I wished I could spit it back there as soon as it had entered my mouth), Capocollo di Martina Franca (I bought a whole one to bring home), golden lentil jam (a little like glaceed chestnuts), Tardiva peaches (a treat so late in October),  among many, many other things.

At Terre Madre, speaking with my eyes and my hands, and words when I could, I met a student from Kenya, a Sudanese diplomat, farmers from Oregon, Mexico, India, Australia, a beekeeper from Italy who lived on the Ivory Coast, a baker from Thunder Bay, and many others.  I felt privileged to know that laughter and joy are universal.  Curiosity and sharing the love of good food communicates easily through language barriers. I learned that every little bit of what we do, from growing our own tomatoes to sitting down with our families at dinner time; from using cloth bags to teaching a child how to scramble eggs; from buying meat from ecologically raised animals, eating more vegetarian meals and agreeing to pay more for the product that helps a farmer earn a fair wage – it all joins with the network of food communities that are doing the same.

Most significant, during the closing ceremonies, the Italian government issued an unprecedented invitation, asking Terra Madre to send a delegation to the G8 meeting in Sardinia, Italy in July 2009. The Slow Food community network will have the opportunity to influence global policy decision-making.  But the words of Vandana Shiva echo in my mind, “No change comes from pointing, be the change you want to see.”

Please access the links below for more information.

www.terremadre.org – Official website of Terre Madre.  Program, earth workshops, regional meeting notes etc.
www.future-food.org – The international commission on the future of food and agriculture/Manifesto on climate change and the future of food security.   You may sign the petition and support the manifesto.
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47048 A well written account, by Tom Philpott, of Vandana Shiva’s hopeful and empowering discussion on climate change.  This session was one of the most defining moments for me at Terre Madre 2008.  The original article with comments is posted here: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/10/25/904/94558
www.slowfoodfoundation.com – Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity
www.salonedelgusto.com – commercial vendors and taste education for artisanally produced, culturally significant products from Italy and abroad.
 www.presidislowfood.it – a complete list identifying Slow Food Presidia arranged by geographical region.