Slow Food: contributing to the European Climate Pact through Terra Madre

Slow Food is Partner of the European Climate Pact, joining organizations committed to addressing climate change and contributing to a sustainable future. With more than thirty years of experience in protecting food biodiversity and fighting the climate crises in all EU countries as well as all around the world, Slow Food counts on a global network of more than 2000 communities involving farmers, breeders, producers and activists. Every day they work to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems, consolidate alliances, promote agroecological practices and empower local communities in order to preserve the environment and guide the transition towards sustainable food systems. 

As Partners of the European Climate Pact, Slow Food brings forward dozens of projects all around the world to fight against climate change and preserve local food biodiversity. Biodiversity plays a strategic role in improving and ensuring the well-being of the world’s population, now and in the future. Protecting biodiversity is not only about caring for the diversity of plant and animal species, but it is also about the relationship between humans and nature and the traditional knowledge at the origin of thousands of techniques that have made it possible to transform raw materials into breads, cheeses, cured meats, sweets and much more. Slow Food does it with different programs such as Slow Food Presidia, the Ark of Taste or the Earth Markets. 

Moreover, Slow Food believes that by helping children and adults understand where our food comes from, how it was produced and by whom, they can learn to combine pleasure and responsibility in their daily choices and appreciate the cultural and social importance of food. The idea that it is synonymous with pleasure, culture and conviviality makes our approach to food education unique. 

Last but not least, Slow Food tries to influence policies through its advocacy activities, which are the result of integrated work in the field of biodiversity and education. Slow Food stands out in the field for its focus on food policy and for the authenticity and authority it brings to debates. This is because it represents a plurality of actors in the food system, including farmers, producers and consumers.

To present its global activities, every two years Slow Food organizes Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, the most important gathering of its network, which brings thousands of delegates to Torino (Italy). Now at its 15th edition, this year it will take place from September 26 to 30 and will focus on the role of nature and agroecology. During the 5 days event experts, producers, farmers, policy makers and other organizations will address the main challenges related to the climate and other current crises, identifying common solutions for a better and fairer system. As a matter of example, this year’s program involves representatives from international organizations such as Greenpeace, La Via Campesina, WWF, IPES Food, A Growing Culture, Lighthouse Reports, besides professors and experts from all around the world. Terra Madre, which normally welcomes around 300.000 visitors, represents an opportunity of “contagion” of ideas, attitudes and behaviors around the themes of sustainability and biodiversity, but also as a moment of consolidation and creation of relationships between and within local food systems and local communities. According to a poll conducted during the last edition, the event changed the approach of consumers and increased their interest in local food, their attention to the sustainability of food production and to their personal choices. In parallel, the event represents a unique opportunity for the 3000 Slow Food representatives from 120 countries to exchange ideas, projects and share common challenges and find common solutions. The energy from Terra Madre is then reflected on the territories with new initiatives and ideas, born at the gathering in Torino. 

More on Slow Food projects around the world: https://pub.slowfood.com/EN_Annual_Report_2023/index.html 

More on Terra Madre Salone del Gusto: https://2024.terramadresalonedelgusto.com/en/ 

More on the European Climate Pact: https://climate-pact.europa.eu/index_en 

Launched by the European Commission, the Pact is part of the European Green Deal and is helping the EU to meet its goal to be the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050.