As we come back refreshed from another Salone del Gusto / Terra Madre event I wanted to share a few excerpts from notes of appreciation from our delegates. We were able as a result of your support and generosity to financially assist in their accommodation fees for three delegates. These three young women have all been inspired and changed in a positive way and as our future leaders will play an even more important role now with an international perspective....me on the other hand I ate and drink myself silly! On their behalf we thank you.
"Seeing people from all over the world interested in food at the opening ceremony really opened up my eyes. It was very moving to hear different speakers speak with so much passion. At Terra Madre there were vendors all over the place with food from their native countries. Many of these foods were part of the Slow Food Presidia that supports endangered foods. We ate pit cabbage from Austria, manioc from Brazil, smoked herring from Norway, white truffle honey from Alba (Italy), and bitter melon from the Philippines. It was so great to taste and buy food from all over the world and see beautiful people from so many different cultures smiling and enjoying themselves. The conversations I had with different people opened my eyes to the possibilities of having many roles in the food movement, like being a chef, growing food, making compost, and being a speaker for good, clean, fair food."
"The opening ceremony brought me to tears as attendees from 150 countries paraded into the stadium dressed in traditional clothing and carrying their country's flag. Imagine the Olympics, but for food sovereignty. The fire and passion ignited at the opening ceremony did not burn out over the next five days; it grew stronger. Carlo Petrini made his way into many workshops and the US Delegate meeting to make sure that all attendees recognize that indigenous peoples, women and the elderly have historically been relegated to the bottom of our food system and to encourage us to look to them for their leadership and wisdom when we come to brink of our society's march toward progress. Not only was I moved by Carlo Petrini's energy and commitment to sovereignty, I was also blown away by how many people I met who very quickly felt like family. I danced and exchanged gifts with new friends from Kenya, exchanged family recipes and photos with poppy seed farmers from the Czech Republic, and connected with new people from the US as well. From my experience, I feel confident in and inspired by the millions of people taking control of their food and practicing direct democracy across the globe."
Philly Fair Trade Roasters, Joe Cesa who has a culinary background (starting as a Restaurant School grad) opened Philadelphia's first fair trade coffeehouse in 2002. Joe will explain the differences of coffee grading; fair trade vs. conventional market coffee and the living and working conditions of the producers; techniques pertaining to small-batch roasting; and doing some coffee tasting. Coffee has become an art form so here is a chance to learn all about the nuances of appreciating a good cup of Joe. Because it is the holiday we wanted to combine it with a selection of 3 After Dinner Digestive Spirits that complement a good cup of coffee. This part of the meal gets little respect. We are always in a hurry to rush away from the table, well here are some suggestions for you to relax and allow the food to digest and the conversation to flow.
