Carlos and Me

USA Regional Meeting, 10 am – Oval Lingotto, E (The Highlight of Terra Madre)

Aware that both Carlo Petrini and Alice Waters would be speaking, Rob and I settled ourselves on the front row with cameras, pen and paper.  Alice arrived with a bouquet of celery, Carlo with an interpreter.

Josh Viertel, Slow Food USA’s President, welcomed the 700 people from 50 states and spoke of his background leading up to his presidency.  He  introduced Alice Waters who inspired the group to bring Terra Madre USA to the mall in Washington D.C.  Next was Carlo Petrini, the inspiration and creator of Slow Food, who applauded the USA delegation and the work that has been done.  He also encouraged involvement in his Thousand Gardens in Africa project.  Slow Food Tucson’s partnership with the Najati Farming Association in Malawi is a response to this.