Slow Food Boston

A sad passing, and a reminder to keep building upon his 'joyful revolution'

Today, in the town of Bra (Italy), Carlo Petrini passed away at the age of 76.

A visionary leader and public intellectual with a profound commitment to the common good, human relationships, and the natural world, Carlo Petrini founded Slow Food, the international Terra Madre gathering, and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. Through these initiatives, he brought to life a global movement rooted in the values of good, clean, and fair food for all, connecting communities, farmers, food artisans, cooks, activists, and young people across the world.

“Those who sow utopia reap reality” - a phrase Carlo Petrini loved to say - encapsulates his life. He firmly believed that dreams and visions, when they are just, capable of inspiring collective participation, and pursued with conviction, are not impossible to achieve.

He combined the ability to dream with a deep sense of joy and collective purpose, paving concrete paths toward social change. His work was always rooted in collaboration with others, especially younger generations, and guided by passion, empathy, and fraternity.

His energy, his determination, and his lifelong dedication to others will remain a guiding force for the entire Slow Food movement and for all those who shared his vision.

Dear Slow Food friends,
We are pleased to announce that Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026 will take place in Turin, Italy, from 24 to 27 September 2026, across the city’s historic squares and palaces.
Terra Madre is our global meeting place: four days in which Slow Food communities from over 100 countries come together to exchange experiences, strengthen alliances, and act as a movement. Through conferences, thematic itineraries, and shared spaces, food cultures once again become a driver of peace and social transformation.
The 2026 Terra Madre edition will be a crucial political moment for our movement. Taking place at the heart of Terra Madre, the Slow Food Participants’ Assembly (formerly the International Congress) will define the future strategy and governance of our global network.
Both events are strongly rooted in the theme of biodiversity, understood not only as agricultural diversity, but as cultural, social, and political richness. In a world threatened by homogenisation, exclusion, and multiple crises, diversity — biological, cultural, and human — is the foundation of fair and resilient food systems and the strength of our collective action as a movement.
Delegates to Terra Madre and the Participants’ Assembly will act as representatives of the Slow Food movement and their territories. They will actively engage in Terra Madre activities, contribute to shaping Slow Food’s priorities and strategies for the next four years, and exercise their voting rights in decisions regarding the future governance of the association.
With this message, we officially open the delegate nomination process.
Submit a delegate nomination here: https://forms.gle/3E8VH3qSkNtX85qY9
Deadline: 22 May 2026
Please note:
Completion of the nomination form does not guarantee participation. The Terra Madre Organising Committee will review all applications and select the delegates by early June.
Only applications submitted online by 22 May 2026 will be considered for delegate roles at Terra Madre 2026 and the Participants’ Assembly.

If you wish to participate as a visitor or exhibitor, please write to [email protected]. For any other questions, please contact me at [email protected].
Slow Food is built by all of us. In Turin, we will come together to shape its future. We hope to walk this path together in Turin.

NOMINATION FORM FOR TERRA MADRE SALONE DEL GUSTO 2026