Terra Madre Brazil 2010

More than 500 representatives from the 50 Brazilian food communities, as well as Slow Food Presidia producers, cooks, academics, students and artisans that make up the network, will participate in themed workshops to debate questions of common interest during Terra Madre Brazil 2010, from March 19 to 22 in Brasilia. Also participating in the meeting are over 200 observers, including representatives of local institutions and authorities, journalists and food industry professionals.

The themes at the heart of Terra Madre Brazil 2010 are sustainable food production, increasing consumer awareness, access to markets, traditional knowledge, and the promotion of the country’s rich gastronomic heritage.

The event will also include a range of activities open to the public, such as Taste Education workshops, a sensory activity trail, culinary demonstrations and seminars. A Biodiversity Fair will be set up outside the main venue, to give visitors the opportunity to taste and purchase products from Brazilian food communities, Presidia and Ark of Taste projects.

This is the second time the Terra Madre network has meet nationally in Brazil, following a successful meeting in 2007. The Brazilian network was initiated in 2004, inspired by the first global gathering of the Terra Madre network in that year, and it has since gone from strength to strength. The network organizes activities to sustain Brazil’s vibrant gastronomic landscape and creates opportunities for exchange and collaboration to further sustainable farming, food education, and biodiversity protection.

Many of the topics relating to the defense of Brazil’s food biodiversity and the health of the local ecosystems, have an importance beyond the national borders. In particular, the threats to the Amazonas rainforest, and the impact of its deforestation upon the global biosphere, have been followed extensively in international affairs. The Amazonas is also the area where the cultivation of soy, mostly genetically modified, has been able to make the biggest advances. Brazil is the third-biggest meat producer in the world, and soy is an essential part of the livestock feed.

Slow Food launched the Terra Madre Network in 2004 to give a voice to small-scale farmers and food producers and bring them together with cooks, academics and the young generation to discuss how to improve the food system collaboratively. Meetings are held at the global, regional and local level and the resulting projects promote knowledge exchange around the world.

For more info:
www.terramadre.slowfoodbrasil.com