Terra Madre is the putting into pages of the dream of a humble and marginalized group, dubbed the “back wheel of the car,” realizing their own importance and uniting. The importance of these people has always been overlooked. They were seen as being behind the times, a backward part of the world, or even “underdeveloped.” Small farmers and sustainable food producers were almost considered vagrants. But this negative judgment contains a serious error at its core, and furthermore, it risks being a fatal error for the global economic and political system.

These are people who spend their lives struggling, with no free time. They cannot leave their places, they don't always earn what they deserve, they toil, they strive, and they speak to nature, making it productive, producing food for their own communities and others.

Food communities that re-establish a different and valuable relationship with these people are good laboratories for redefining the rural and urban relationship. Perhaps in this way, food production can begin again, not for “selling,” but for “eating.” Indeed, real food may once again become more important than quantity, efficiency, homogeneity, or portability.

Food communities are the first step in creating a system of local networks. A human and sustainable system where food is once again “good, clean, and fair.” Only in this way can we regain “sovereignty” over our lives. Food is the key to reclaiming our lives. Those who think this worldwide movement is “childish” should look at Slow Food and bite their tongues. This is a long journey, but the value of slowness tells us that we cannot achieve it all at once; what is more important are intentions, adaptability to openness, memory, and care.

Millions are heeding Carlo Petrini's call. You extend a hand too.

(From the Promotional Bulletin)