Several Slow Food farmers, producers, and activists from the Nordic and Baltic countries participated in the inaugural edition of Terra Madre Europe in Brussels, Belgium. We spoke to Hardy Jensen, a Slow Food activist from Denmark, passionate about telling the story behind food.
Terra Madre is a concept, a community, and an event by Slow Food, organized in Turin, Italy, every other year. It all started over twenty years ago and has grown into the largest international event dedicated to food systems, agroecology, and biodiversity.
The Terra Madre concept has spread regionally to Slow Food communities across the globe. Later in 2025, the event will reach the USA and the Philippines. In June, Terra Madre Europe brought together delegates from all European countries and Ukraine in Brussels, Belgium.
Food Brings People Together and Ignites Discussions
Terra Madre Europe, the first of its kind, aimed to create a space for constructive dialogue and to showcase the power of food in bringing people together and shaping a more resilient, sustainable future.
The event delivered a strong and unequivocal message to European institutions as they define the next seven-year budget: prioritizing the agroecological transition is essential. The event placed a strong emphasis on advocacy efforts in support of agroecology, reinforcing its central role in the future of European food and farming systems.
Talks, conferences, shared meals, and the inauguration of the first Earth Market in Belgium all focused on the importance of the agroecological transition, and highlighted Slow Food Farms – the Slow Food initiative aiming to become the largest network of farms dedicated to producing good, clean and fair food rooted in agroecological principles.
The participation of Nordic and Baltic countries in the event was significant, with representatives from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Hardy Jensen, representing the Danish Slow Food Presidium of Coastal Fishermen’s Guild in Thorupstrand, tells us that the focus of the event was in line with his beliefs. He mentions that he has had a sign in his office for over twenty years saying, in Danish, “Mennesker der spiser sammen, taler sammen,” meaning people who eat together, talk to each other.
“The same is true for food in all contexts, whether it is during dinner, a workshop, a talk, or when you have guests over. We should always remember to tell the story behind the food on our plates. Where it comes from, and who has produced it,” says Jensen.
Tasting and Understanding
Among the programs at Terra Madre Europe, the tasting event Taste & Talk with Europe’s Changemakers brought together European policy-makers, farmers, and food artisans from around Europe to discuss topics such as animal welfare, soil health, and water resilience, while getting acquainted with products rooted in cultural heritage and traditions.
At the event, Jensen served fish meatballs from Thorupstrand Coastal Fishersmen’s Guild (fiskefrikadeller in Danish), a Slow Food Presidium in northern Jutland safeguarding small-scale fishing.
Jensen tells us he found the program and discussions eye-opening, and he traveled home with not only an expanded network but also valuable knowledge and insights about the challenges faced by small-scale producers across Europe.
Jensen remarks that one of his main priorities is the fight against ultra-processed food.
“If the world only used half a percentage of the expenditure used for weapons and military on gathering people around a table instead, encouraging dialogue, presence, understanding, and sympathy, then the world would be a better place.”
Get ready for Terra Madre Nordic in Norway 2026
Whether in Brussels, Turin, or somewhere else in the world, the Terra Madre events bring together farmers, food artisans, chefs, policymakers, Indigenous peoples, and Slow Food activists.
In April 2026, it is time for Slow Food in the Nordic Countries to host Terra Madre Nordic in Vesterålen, Norway. Initially planned for October 2025, the event has been rescheduled to 10–12 April 2026. The event will feature a market of Nordic artisanal food producers, workshops, masterclasses, seminars, and discussions on sustainable consumption and resilient food systems. The focus is on Sámi food culture and traditions, spotlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in producing food both on land and in the surrounding seas.
If you would like to be a part of the event, please contact Jannie Vestergaard, chair of Slow Food in the Nordic Countries, [email protected].
Learn more about Terra Madre Europe and Slow Food
Press release
The first edition of Terra Madre Europe concludes with a powerful call to action for European Institutions – read the press release here.
Slow Food Farms
A Slow Food initiative generating a network of farmers producing food according to agroecological principles – read more.
Slow Food in the Nordic countries
Learn about local Slow Food groups in the Nordic countries – read more.
Join us!
Join our fight for good, clean and fair food for all – join here!
