Ark of Taste
Living Catalog of Foods Facing Extinction
Imagine stepping into a library, not of books, but of the world’s most extraordinary foods, vegetables, and animal breeds. This place, unlike any other, houses unique flavors and traditions on the brink of being forgotten. Welcome to the Ark of Taste, our global effort to save these irreplaceable treasures from vanishing.
Why does this matter? Well, our world is full of incredible edible treasures – fruits that taste like history, cheeses crafted from ancient recipes, grains that grow only in certain soils, and so much more. But as the world changes and moves towards more common, mass-produced foods, we risk losing these treasures. The Ark of Taste is here to stop that from happening.
Each entry in the Ark is a narrative of the cultures, communities, and ecosystems that have nurtured these varieties through generations. To date, we’ve cataloged thousands of these foods and traditions. By bringing them into the spotlight, we celebrate their uniqueness and empower farmers, cooks, and food enthusiasts worldwide to keep these traditions vibrant and alive.
The Ark of Taste is more than a list; it’s a call to action, urging farmers, cooks, and consumers alike to cultivate, cook, and cherish these treasures. We encourage everyone, including you, to explore these foods, learn their stories, and support them. By choosing to eat and enjoy these foods, you’re helping to keep them around for future generations. It’s a way of protecting our planet’s diversity, not just in nature but in our cultures and in the meals we share.
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What We Do
Preserve food knowledge by cataloging native products.
Support small scale producers to save their heritage and food culture.
Enhance the use of these products by connecting producers with cooks and consumers.
Promote food diversity by reconnecting communities with their legacy.
Share the stories of products, producers and places through films, publications, articles, conferences and more.
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What You Can Do
As a Food Activist
- Nominate Endangered Products: Help expand the Ark by nominating foods, vegetable varieties, or breeds you know are at risk.
- Buy and Consume Thoughtfully: Support the cause by purchasing these unique items from small-scale producers and integrating them into your diet.
- Spread the Word: Your actions can help promote a more sustainable and diverse food landscape.
As a Producer
- Nominate a Product: If you’re aware of an endangered product related to your region, nominate it to be part of the Ark.
- Produce with Pride: Embrace and produce foods that are a hallmark of your territory, contributing to its preservation and recognition.
- Network for Diversity: Connect with others who are passionate about preserving food diversity and strengthening the community.
As a Cook
- Valorize Food Heritage: By choosing Ark of Taste products, you celebrate and elevate our rich food heritage.
- Connect with Producers: Form relationships with small-scale producers to source the finest, most authentic ingredients.
- Educate the Next Generation: Share your knowledge and passion for these unique foods to ensure our culinary legacy lives on.
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How to Nominate a Product
The nominator identifies the product that has to be related to the social, cultural, religious, historical or economic context of a territory.You can see whether the product is compatible with the principles of the project in the project guidelines.
Anyone can nominate a product, either by using the form, writing to your national ark commission, or sending an email to [email protected].
The Slow Food Biodiversity office and its experts will evaluate the nomination and approve it as long as it aligns with the principles of the project.
Once approved, the product will appear in the catalogue of the Ark of Taste
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