The Terra Madre world meetings of food communities organized by Slow Food since 2004 have brought together thousands of small farmers, producers, cooks, educators, youth and activists from 150 countries to collaboratively work together on improving our food system. Dora Maxim Federica la Torre Lisa Catarinella

The Terra Madre world meetings of food communities organized by Slow Food since 2004 have brought together thousands of small farmers, producers, cooks, educators, youth and activists from 150 countries to collaboratively work together on improving our food system. Dora Maxim Federica la Torre Lisa Catarinella

In 2009 the very first Terra Madre Day organized by Slow Food saw more than 1,000 events take place across 150 countries in one ofthe largest collective occasions celebrating food diversity and the right to good, clean and fair food ever achieved on a global scale. Biodiverstity The biodiversity is the basis of life, of the people, of the nature and the planet. Safeguarding food biodiversity for the future is one of the fundamental principles of Slow Food association and the entire Terra Madre network is engaged in defending local food and outstanding products that are perfectly integrated with the geographical, climactic, cultural and traditional characteristics of a place.

The Berbers, the first inhabitants of North Africa, are more correctly known as Imazighen, meaning “free people”. They were historically nomads, organized into villages and confederated tribes that remained fiercely independent, however, had many common societal organizations and similar gastronomic customs. For example, couscous— whether of barley, rye or wheat—was commonly eaten at festivals across Berber societies. The Salt of the Earth

This vision is in direct opposition to pursuing a globalized marketplace, with the ongoing, systematic goal of increasing profit and productivity. Such methods have substantial externalities for which we, the guardians and inhabitants of this planet, pay the price. The Terra Madre network, which integrates new members every day, is made up of all those who wish to act to preserve, encourage, and support sustainable food production methods. These methods are based on attention to territory and those distinctive qualities that have permitted the land to retain its fertility over centuries of use.

Slow Food is embarking on an ambitious project to create food gardens in every Terra Madre community across Africa, assiting them in their work to cultivate more sustainable and healthy regions. The challenge to create a thousand gardens in schools, villages and on the outskirts of cities was launched at the Terra Madre meeting in October.