Currently, three Central Oregonians are in Italy for Terra Madre 2010. The bi-annual event from the Slow Food movement brings together delegates from 150 countries to discuss food sustainability.
The three delegates from Central Oregon are Chef Dave Hatfield of Cafe 3456, Sarahlee Lawrence, a Terrebonne-based farmer and owner of Rainshadow Organics, and Judith O'Keefe, the chapter leader of Slow Food High Desert, are currently meeting (and eating) with delegates from around the world in Torino.
By the wonder of email, we heard from Chef Hatfield from Italy. Here's what he says about the experience:
"I'm sitting here in an Italian farm house in the Alps pondering what I have just witnessed and realizing it will be the most significant event in my lifetime. I think I had goose bumps for 72 hours straight. Terra Madre has definitely changed the three of us in many ways. I think we came here as food proponents and we are now leaving as food activists. I felt a measure of naivety and almost embarrassment after seeing what other Slow Food communities are doing and the three of us are definitely coming back charged and ready to go. We have been exposed on an intimate level with the thoughts and tribulations of farmers, ranchers, and activists from around the globe. For 3 days straight we have been overwhelmed both intellectually and emotionally at Terra Madre not only from the amazing people we have struck up relationships with, but also the sheer magnitude of the political activism that is taking place on a global scale. Listening to Carlo Petrini speak in front of 6000 Slow Foodies about our common food philosophies and the need for all our voices to act as one and make change happen, was nothing short of amazing."
Hatfield, Lawrence and O'Keefe will be holding a panel forum in a little over a month to share what they learned at Terra Madre with the community here in Central Oregon. The discussion will be held at the Oxford Hotel on December 14. We'll have more information closer to the event so stay tuned to Stuffed!
