A remedy against fast food culture

The eighth edition of the biennial event, The International Salone del Gusto 2010, organised by the Piedmont Region, the city of Turin and the Slow Food association was officially introduced with the presentation of the programme in Turin, Italy last Wednesday.

The influential Italian-based Slow Food movement promotes high-quality, local food as a remedy to fast-food culture and in fact this international market fair, showcases high quality food products accompanied by a rich and varied programme of educational and entertaining activities.

The food fair is being held until next Monday in the Lingotto Fiere exhibition centre in Turin, concurrently with the Terra Madre global meeting of food communities.

The inviting atmosphere of the Salone del Gusto is home to the best gourmet artisan production. The producers participate in this hom­age to the visitors with excellent tasting oils, cheese, delicious and tempting desserts.

The scents, colours and characters that accompany this culinary journey are carefully divided into areas so visitors can easily find the one they are most interested in. Producers have the opportunity to raise awareness of quality food and processed according to traditional manufacturing processes.

In the Salone del Gusto international market dedicated to small producers, large institutions, consortia and companies prepare unknown tasting flavours to feed the curiosity of visitors.

The collaboration with Slow Food has made possible the participation of other countries around the world displaying the typical products of their areas of origin. Important topics such as sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and gastronomic and cultural changes of the earth are covered in interesting meetings that involve the participation of technicians and experts. Called the “global food village”, the Salone del Gusto offers workshops and lots of delicious and educational initiatives that involve all the interested public.

For the last 14 years the Salone del Gusto has not only brought together thousands of conscientious food producers of the greatest quality, but is also continuing to set precedents in event organisation and management, as site of innovation and experimentation towards sustainability in all aspects.

The organisation of the fair involves original and innovative ideas towards a reduced environmental impact, a project carried out in collaboration with the Industrial Design faculty of the Polytechnic University of Turin. After the success of a 40 per cent reduction of environmental impact in 2008, the aim for the Salone 2010 is to reach a reduction of 60 per cent of the environmental footprint , through efficiency and creative thinking in the fitting-out of the exhibition space, transport of goods and management of waste and use of energy and water.

The activities and events of the Salone del Gusto, such as taste workshops, educational parcours for children, conferences, debates, meetings with well-known and lesser known food producers, are partly a reflection of the daily work of food communities all over the world.