The Prosperity of Southern Africa Food Biodiversity at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto

The African continent will be very well represented during this 12th edition of the world’s most important international event dedicated to food culture, and some extraordinary stories will be shared with the public. Organized by Slow Food in collaboration with the Region of Piedmont and the City of Turin, Terra Madre Salone del Gusto will take place from September 20 to 24, 2018, in Turin, Italy. Over 5,000 delegates from 140 countries, over 800 exhibitors, 300 Slow Food Presidia, and 500 Terra Madre food communities are taking part in the event.

The International Market will host a special area dedicated to showcasing Terra Madre food communities and Presidia products from across Africa.

Americo Amos Mavale, leader of the Muteko-Waho Convivium is coming from Mozambique. Besides being a chef, he is also the president of Maputo Earth Market and, together with Delson Joao Amaral, a project trainer in Mozambique for the 10,000 Gardens in Africa, which has a strong presence in the country. The project will be presented within the Seeds thematic area during the Forum 10,000 Gardens in Africa (September 23 at 2:00 p.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere), through the experiences of those involved. At the moment, there are 3063 gardens in Africa, and the number is constantly growing.

The 10,000 Gardens in Africa project has also been very successful in Malawi, home country of Manvester Ackson Khoza.  A producer and food activist, Manvester has a wealth of experience in the field of agroecology and, together with his team, is organizing many trainings on this topic in Malawi. He will join us in Turin, from September 20 to 24.

Madagascar will be represented by the Mananara Vanilla Presidium though the vanilla itself will not be available due to another vanilla crisis in the country. Madagascar produces half of the world’s vanilla, but this crop has many negative consequences for country’s stability and economy, as it is at the center of corruption and, recently, even violence. During the Terra Madre Forum  Where do Spices Come From? (September 23 at 2:00 a.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere) Estephan Tianjaramanana will tell the fascinating story of this orchid vanilla that grows only in the Mananara Nord Biosphere Reserve. Within the International Market, located in the Lingotto Fiere and Oval, the public will have the opportunity to taste and buy several products from Madagascar, including Alaotra Lake Ancient Rice Varieties (Slow Food Presidium).

In the Slow Fish thematic area, Dona Ernestina, from Angola, will speak in the Terra Madre Forum Queens of the Sea: Women in Fishing (September 22 at 11:00 a.m. – Torino Lingotto Fiere). Traditionally, fishing is often a male activity. However, there are also female fishers, and the presence of women in fish processing is well attested. Together with Dona Ernestina, other “Queens of the Sea” of the Slow Fish network will share their stories with the public.

Taste Workshops and Cooking Schools are paid events and tickets can be purchased online; the Terra Madre thematic Forums are presented by delegates of the network and are open to the public as long as seats are available. Click here for the list of available events, which is constantly updated.

Caroline Stephanie McCann – International Councillor for Southern Africa

[email protected]

Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2018 Press Office

Slow Food, +39 329 83 212 85 [email protected] – Twitter: @SlowFoodPress

Region of Piedmont, +39 011 432 2549 – [email protected]

City of Turin, +39 011 011 21976 – +39 342 1100131 – [email protected]

To request press accreditation, please click here.

Terra Madre Salone del Gusto is an event organized by the City of Turin, Slow Food, and the Region of Piedmont in collaboration with MIPAAF (Italy’s Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies). It has been made possible thanks to its many sponsors, including the Official Partners, GLEvents-Lingotto Fiere, IREN, Lavazza, Lurisia, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pastificio Di Martino and Quality Beer Academy; with the support of Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT-Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, Associazione delle Fondazioni di Origine Bancaria del Piemonte, and Coldiretti; and with the contribution of IFAD, the European Union, and CIA (Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori).

Slow Food is a global grassroots organization that envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it, and good for the planet. Slow Food involves over a million activists, chefs, experts, youth, farmers, fishers, and academics in over 160 countries.