This post is LONG, LONG, overdue! Earlier this summer, I received a call from a Slow Food Edmonton Convivium member to let me know that I had been nominated to attend Terra Madre in October in Italy for my volunteer work as Director of Operation Fruit Rescue. They and us believe that OFRE helps build stronger food communities and they wanted us to be recognized for that. I was humbled to be nominated and owe a big THANK YOU to Slow Food Edmonton for this honour!

We would also like to thank Food & Beverage Canada for helping to fund our trip through the Alberta Technology Innovation Program (ATIP), which means that Mike Johnson, another OFRE volunteer and OFRE cider brew master, got to come along as well.

One of the many interesting things at Terra Madre is that all delegates spend some time volunteering at their countries booth, and if they are a producer, they are to bring samples and will be paired with a local chef to make an interesting dish to give out. OFRE was invited to bring their award-winning cherry amaretto syrup!!

Terra Madre will be eye-opening, jaw dropping, head-scratching, satisfyingly great experience! There is everything from learn to cook workshops, food tastings, food security and food sovereignty lectures, and more! There will be people from all over the world sharing their love and interest in good, clean, fair food for all! We are honoured to be selected to represent some of the exciting food initiatives happening in Edmonton! We also look forward to the possibility of making connections with artisan preservers to learn new and old ways of preserving fruits, making cider, etc.

Upon return, Mike and I hope to put together a series of presentations on what we learned there and how this knowledge can contribute to building a stronger food community in Edmonton. Stay tuned!