28 September 2016 – Slow food chapters from around the Philippines highlighted various Filipino food products to a crowd of 7,000 delegates from 80 countries during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2016 last September 22-26, 2016 in Turin, Italy.

Among the slow food chapters that participated during the event were groups from Cebu, Manila, Negros, and Northern Luzon. Earth Flora, Inc, Healthy Eats Manila, Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Program, and UnoyPasil Terrace Association also participated in the food festival.

“There was considerable interest in the Philippine products that were showcased in the Salone del Gusto 2016 here in Turin, Italy,” said Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco, who attended the festival to support the Philippine delegation.

During the event, visitors had a taste of Philippine coffee, heirloom rice, and muscovado sugar, among other Filipino food products.

The said event is the most important international event dedicated to food and gastronomy, providing a forum not only to showcase food cultures, but also discuss food production in relation to sustainable development and biodiversity.

“With government support, through the Department Agriculture, the Philippines was able to showcase its food and gastronomic culture, which could cascade into economic benefits such as spurring trade and investment. More importantly, Philippine participation also demonstrates the importance the Philippines gives to its small producers, food culture, biodiversity, and sustainable development,” said Ambassador Nolasco. END