Bacolod City, Philippines – As a global food hub renowned for its slow food movement, Bacolod City is poised to host the inaugural Terra Madre Asia-Pacific event in November 2025. This significant development follows a memorandum of agreement signed between Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Slow Food International during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy.
Mayor Benitez emphasized the importance of Slow Food, a movement that promotes sustainable gastronomy, in his radio program. Terra Madre is recognized as the world's largest event dedicated to food politics, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
Bacolod City and Negros Occidental showcased their culinary heritage at the "Salu-Salo (eating together): Philippines Good, Clean and Fair Fiesta!" in Turin, featuring coffee, cacao, lechon heirloom rice, langka salad, and chicken inasal. The agreement between Bacolod City, Slow Food International, and Negros Island Community Promoting and Preserving Traditional Food Inc. aims to develop Slow Food programs in Negros, including food education, networking, event hosting, and establishing a Slow Food International office in the city.
Elmer Cato, Philippine Consul General in Milan, praised Slow Food Philippines for its advocacy and solutions in protecting the environment, cultural heritage, and food accessibility. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed the province's support for the agreement, highlighting the slow food movement as a timely and necessary shift towards a sustainable and improved food system.
Di Croce, director general of Slow Food International, stated that the Terra Madre Asia-Pacific will become a key hub for Slow Food, recognized and valued worldwide. The upcoming event in Bacolod City signifies the city's commitment to sustainable food practices and its growing influence in the global food scene.
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