Terra Madre Europe opens in the name of agroecology

Slow Food welcomes the first Belgian Slow Food Farms

 The first edition of Terra Madre Europe (Brussels, 22-24 June) opens announcing the first-ever Slow Food Farms in Belgium, marking a significant milestone in the movement’s mission to promote good, clean, and fair food. Slow Food Farms, the latest ambitious initiative by Slow Food, aims to become the world’s largest network of farms dedicated to agroecology and sustainability.

“We are thrilled to welcome them as the first Slow Food Farms here in Belgium” says Marta Messa, Slow Food Secretary General. “These farms exemplify the principles at the core of our program, with a strong focus on community engagement, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and soil protection. Announcing them today, while we inaugurate Terra Madre Europe and the Slow Food Earth Market in Brussels, also has a special meaning, as for us agroecology represents the path to follow in the future to really shape new food systems, and Slow Food Farms are the reality which can make the difference on the ground for producers and for the community”.

The program of Terra Madre Europe starts today (June 22) at Be-Here (Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 4, 1020 Brussels) with the launch of the first Belgian Slow Food Earth Market, where all the producers present are also part of the Slow Food Farms network.

Aligned with Slow Food’s philosophy that everyone deserves nourishing food that supports communities, honors the Earth, and strengthens local economies, Slow Food Farms represent the future of sustainable agriculture.

The industrial food system, driven by efficiency and profit, has devastating impacts on our health, environment, society and economies. Corporate food production and global food distribution are major contributors to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the depletion of vital natural resources, all while deepening social inequalities and threatening our well-being. The Slow Food response to this system is represented by Slow Food Farms, which enlighten the role of farmers and their communities, as they are the ones who can drive the change towards most sustainable food systems.

“Agroecology marks the fil rouge of this edition of Terra Madre Europe, represented by Slow Food Earth Market’s protagonists, by cooks of the Slow Food Cooks Alliance and by European producers who will join us on Tuesday with their products and their unique stories”, concludes Marta Messa.

Terra Madre Europe: the program

Today the Slow Food Earth Market will be animated by fermentation workshops, activities for children, conferences and a dinner organised by Belgian cooks part of the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance, which will delight customers with recipes created with the market products. (Here you can check the program, the list of producers and book your workshops).

Monday 23 June will be dedicated to internal work within the Slow Food network, focusing on training, capacity building, and strategy development at the Slow Food Farm Foster Farm Rosières, while Tuesday 24 will again highlight agroecology and the the pivotal role of cooks in promoting good, clean and fair food for all. A high level conference and a European Slow Food tasting event (upon invitation) will showcase success stories from across Europe, with a focus on sustainable food systems and agroecological practices. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to take part in a tasting event, an innovative format to engage in dialogue, where participants can meet farmers and food artisans to explore topics such as generational renewal, animal welfare, agro-biodiversity, water resilience and soil health. All of this, starting with the simple act of tasting unique products from our European cultural heritage and agroecological productions.

The day will conclude with a celebration of the role of cooks to drive the change towards better food systems. Protagonists of this change are cooks of the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance, a global network of chefs dedicated to preserving food biodiversity, safeguarding local areas, serving good food, reducing waste, fighting the climate crisis and practicing social solidarity.

Belgian and European Slow Food chefs will collaborate on four-hands dinners in restaurants across Brussels, offering guests a unique opportunity to experience good, clean, and fair food—and to understand the value of local knowledge, agroecology, and food heritage with every bite. Here you find the list of restaurants and the chefs. Dinners can be reserved by contacting each restaurant.

On the Slow Food Farms program

A Slow Food Farm is a plot of land cultivated for agricultural purposes according to the principles of agroecology, used for growing crops and/or for raising animals for human consumption. By integrating farms into resilient local food systems, Slow Food Farms not only enhance farmers’ livelihoods but also ensure fair compensation and long-term economic stability. Additionally, Slow Food amplifies the voices of these farmers, connecting them to a global community—including activists, chefs, consumers, food artisans, fishers, and fellow farmers—who support the movement’s vision. By now, more than 200 Slow Food Farms are already part of the network worldwide.

Find out more on the Slow Food Farms in Belgium:

• Foster Farm Rosières – https://www.foster.farm/en_GB
• Château Berlieren – chateaudeberlieren.be

For more information about Slow Food Farms and how to get involved, visit https://www.slowfood.com/slow-food-farms/

The event is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. With the support of Ville de Bruxelles and Spa Bru