Terra Madre Americas ready to begin — Secretary Ross featured in pre-event discussion

The all-new Terra Madre Americas food and culture festival is ready to begin its weekend-long run in Downtown Sacramento tomorrow, and the festivities are being kick-started today with an introductory session called, "Food for Thought; Nourishing Nature, Culture & Community."

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was featured in an opening panel discussion this afternoon along with California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Sacramento restaurateur Patrick Mulvaney.

Secretary Ross pointed out how California farming aligns with our state's robust food culture and the essential nature of sustainability, citing healthy soils practices as an example: "We understand that those practices are drawing down carbon and holding it in our soils and our trees as part of a unique opportunity to be part of the solution for climate change."

This event combines Sacramento's beloved Farm-to-Fork Festival with Terra Madre Americas, the U.S. edition of Slow Food International's renowned Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, which is held every other year in Turin, Italy.

CDFA will participate in activities throughout the weekend, including an onsite State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting tomorrow (Sept 26) at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center to discuss food trends. In addition, the agency will participate in events to promote Farm to Fork and Farm to School programs.