With Food First Director Eric Holt-Gimenez

Visit to the Piedmont region:

With a variety of microclimates, Piedmont is one of the most geographically diverse regions of Italy, boasting a rich food culture based on complex, agrobiodiverse farming systems that are tightly linked to Italian food and farming traditions. This beautiful region at the base of the Alps is home to an abundant variety of agricultural products: apple, pear and plum orchards; numerous rice varieties; wheat and corn; and livestock for meat and milk. The region is also famous for its vintage wines and wide variety of specialty cheeses.

However, this wealth of peasant-based foods has been threatened by the promotion of industrial development, favored by shortsighted national and EU policies. In the face of these threats, small producers in the region are organizing to defend their diverse farming systems, strengthen their communities, and promote food sovereignty. Small cooperatives like the Valli Unite and Terra e Gente coops, for instance, produce a wide variety of traditional products and market them directly to consumer groups (Gruppi di acquisto Solidale). Piedmont-based Slow Food is also working to safeguard small farmers, biodiversity and sustainability.

Visit to Terra Madre-Salone del Gusto:

In 2004 the Terra Madre network was created to support and give visibility to small- scale producers coming from all over the world. Terra Madre-Salone del Gusto is the most important Slow Food’s event held bi-annually in Turin. Here farmers and producers from 150 different countries gather to advocate local food communities and a sustainable and fair food system. We will provided a guided tour and give you plenty of time to explore this world-class even on your own.

TOUR COST: $2875

Price includes:

• All in-country transportation during the tour including airport transfer to and from Turin Airport
• Three-star hotel accommodations and overnight stays in farmer-owned guesthouses (agriturismos) for 8 nights; single accommodations are available for an additional fee of $500 (Please only select for health reasons. We stay at small agriturismos that can only accommodate a limited number of single rooms).
• 2-3 meals per day
• Food First trip leaders (country experts), local guides, honoraria, translators and drivers
• Preparatory reading materials (“Reader”) and Orientation Packet
• All scheduled program activities, including presentations and workshops
• Food First membership

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, most beverages, tips, insurance and personal expenses