TERRA MADRE VERMONTERS

After a great night’s sleep that helped us recover from jet lag, we (Jen, Joyce, and me—along with about ninety other Terra Madre delegates from the USA), climbed into our buses for the trip to Turin. After about forty-five minutes (rush hour in Italy is not to be missed!) we arrived at the Oval Lingotto, the convention area where we will spend the next two days. As we entered this huge space, we found exhibits of all kinds related to food as well as many artisans and merchants with their goods spread out on rugs and blankets, waiting to show us their wares. I was able to find some coarsely ground corn for polenta and had a wonderful conversation withthe farmer who grew it. There were also about ten tasting event rooms as well as the same number of spaces for presentations. The volunteers with their red vests were everywhere as they were on the opening day ready to help in every way.

I attended one session entitled, Food Policies – Pleasure and Well-Being and part of another entitled, Traditional Knowledge, Gender, and Immaterial Values. I may say more about these workshops in another entry but I want to write about my experiences at the Salone Del Gusto at this moment. This is the parallel event to Terra Madre where connoisseurs and novice food lovers can share in an unbelievable experience of seeing, tasting, and, talking about foods from all over the world.

Never have I been faced with such a vast array of foodstuffs of every kind: cheeses, cured meats, breads, sweets, vegetables, fruits, grains, honey, wine, and more. Exhibitors are organized according to the origin and production of their foods. Many growers and producers represent every region of Italy. Other countries have smaller but equally interesting and delicious displays. Navigating this space is overwhelming, mainly because the foods cover every inch of space and it’s hard to know where to look and taste first.

Among the thousands of foods presented, are just over two hundred that are designated as part of the Slow Food Presidia. These are foods that are exampled of a mode of agriculture based on quality, safeguarding of traditional knowledge, and, sustainability. Included were Orbasso red celery, the Capriglio pepper, and, the Cabinnia cow, all from Italy. Examples from other countries included Kemper Heath sheep (Netherlands), Herenna Forest Wild coffee (Ethiopia), Smilya beans (Bulgaria), and, wild fig slatko, a kind of preserve (Macedonia).

After tasting white anchovies, many olive oils, cheeses with unfamiliar names, grappa, lemon preserves, and so much more, I needed an espresso to keep me going. The Salone del Gusto is open for the next two days so I have much more to explore. Details to follow.

Note: being new to blogging, I was not able to place the photos where I wanted to so I guess I know what to figure out next.