Re-shaping the future, with good taste

Once again this year, the Markt des Guten Geschmacks (market of good taste), Slow Food Germany’s most important fair, gathered producers, chefs, Slow Food members and visitors from all over the country last weekend to celebrate local artisan producers. The Markt des Guten Geschmacks was one of seven spring fairs held around Stuttgart over the weekend, which together welcomed more than 80,000 visitors.

“We are delighted with the great interest of so many visitors,” said Ursula Hudson, President of Slow Food Germany. “Our new activities like the cooking workshop and the seed market were all very well received, and the discussions at the forum theater drew large audiences. We want to thank exhibitors, speakers and the many Slow Food members who have helped create such a successful event.”

Among the nearly 400 exhibitors at the market, there were a dozen producers from Slow Food’s Ark of Taste (a catalogue of high quality at risk products) and producers from Germany’s Slow Food Presidia (projects to safeguard traditional quality endangered products) including Champagner-Bratbirne Pear Spumante and Franconian Grünkern.

Carlo Petrini, founder and president of Slow Food, also attended the event, taking part in two panel discussions. On Sunday, he spoke about food sovereignty, consumer responsibility and the Slow Food and Terra Madre network: “Terra Madre is a practical approach to solve the structural problems that threaten the food sovereignty,” he said.

In another panel discussion, Petrini talked about upcoming reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Slow Food’s work in promoting a future of agriculture in Europe where local economies are empowered, ties between producers and consumers are strengthened and the livelihoods of a new generation of farmers are ensured: “The future of agriculture in Europe is being decided now, ” said Petrini. “Right now…is the time for action.”

For more information, visit Slow Food Germany www.slowfood.de

To find out more about the Slow Food campaign for a new CAP and European policies, visit
www.slowfood.com/sloweurope