By Jodie Popma, October 2024
Slow Food Journey to Turin, Italy: A Week of Global Connections and Culinary Adventure!
I was honored to represent our Slow Food Boulder County community at Terra Madre 2024 in Turin, Italy. My husband Ron and I, set off from Colorado on Monday, September 23, full of anticipation for what was to come. After arriving on Tuesday afternoon, we settled into a charming Italian flat in Barbaroux, Turin’s oldest neighborhood, a perfect base for the week ahead.
Wednesday evening kicked off with a bang! We attended a special dinner “the Green Face of Calabria” at Eataly, hosted by Michelin-starred chef Caterina Ceraudo from Dattilo featuring Slow Wines from, Planeta and Avignonesi. The meal was a true culinary masterpiece, a celebration of flavors that set the tone for the week.
Thursday was non-stop excitement with the official opening ceremony featuring Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini and current president Edie Mukiibi. With 129 countries represented and 3,000 delegates in attendance, the energy in the air was electric! It was inspiring to feel part of this global movement, all united under the same mission: good, clean, and fair food for all.
We also had the chance to finally meet in person some of our Slow Food USA colleagues, like Mara Welton, Deion Jones, and Balil Swarli—familiar faces from countless Zoom calls. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends from Slow Food Nations, like Max Caruso, Cynthia Walters, Kim Aman, Donna Simmons, and Lauren Maples (and our new friend Zeno). Together, we explored the park, indulging in treats from the many food trucks serving up delicious bites. Even though Thursday was the only rainy day, nothing could dampen our spirits.
Friday was all about grains! In preparation for our Grain presentation, I prepared a batch of Dry Land Distillers Chocolate Chip cookies using white Sonora wheat and Ryman rye. Without measuring cups in the Italian kitchen, it was an adventure in itself, but the cookies turned out great! We started the day by enjoying tea, chocolate, and bread with students from the University of Gastronomic Sciences before diving into an Ancient Grain workshop that deepened our appreciation for the role grains play in our food systems.
Friday also brought our chapter’s moment to shine as we took the stage at the Slow Food USA booth for our program focused on ancient grains. In collaboration with Tatum from Janie’s Mill, we highlighted three special varieties: white Sonora wheat (Ark of Taste), Turkey Red wheat (Ark of Taste), and Ryman rye from the Rye Resurgence project. The star of the day was Mona Esposito, the "Grain Lady," who traveled up from Bologna to support our presentation. Mona has been a mentor and inspiration to me for many years, it was a joy to have her with us.
We proudly shared samples of the cookies I baked using white Sonora and rye, as well as tastings from Dry Land Distillers. Their 100% ROC Rye and Ancient Grain Whiskey, made with Jones Family Organics’ Ryman rye and white Sonora grains, truly captured the essence of what ancient grains can bring to modern flavors. I also put together a slideshow that showcased photos from Janie’s Mill, Pueblo Seed Company, the Colorado Grain Chain, and Andrew Calabrese, offering attendees a visual journey through the world of heritage grains.
The day concluded with a culinary highlight—an Indigenous dinner, Food is Medicine featuring the incredible work of Chef Sean Sherman. Walking into an Italian villa and being served traditional Native Hawaiian pou (three ways) alongside Indigenous American dishes like rabbit and duck was a surreal experience. The meal was a celebration of heritage and sustainability, with foraged items curated by none other than Alexis Nikole (@blackforager), who had led a foraging tour earlier that day in Parco Dora.
Stay tuned for more! Saturday’s adventure deserves its own story, so look for it in the next issue of the Slow Food Boulder County newsletter. Here’s a sneak peek—we ventured into the breathtaking Italian Alps to harvest juniper for Borgida Distillers, and the experience was unforgettable!
Sunday kicked off with a delightful morning at the Lavazza Museum, where we attended a workshop on coffee and cappino, paired with what might just be the most delicious breakfast I’ve ever had! If you ever find yourself in Turin, this museum is a must-visit for any coffee lover.
Afterward, we returned to Parco Dora for an afternoon of shopping, food, and fun with our Slow Food friends. The highlight of the day for me was attending a workshop called Good for You, Good for Society, which focused on ethical food sourcing and responsible hiring practices—a truly thought-provoking session. I also had the chance to reconnect with Mary Cappelletti from Slow Food Denver, and that led us to our final dinner, which was at another Eataly location. This time, we shared a meal with friends from Slow Food Denver, including Lilly and Mary, as well as Slow Food Tetons. It was a pleasure to meet Scott, Charlotte, and their team, and to swap stories of our shared passion for food.
Monday was our final day in Italy, and we wrapped it up in true Slow Food style—with a prosciutto tasting! Four different producers from across Italy shared their stories, teaching us about their pigs, how they are raised, and the traditional processes behind their meats. Each tasting was paired with exquisite wines, making it a perfect end to our journey.
We headed back to Milan that evening, staying at the Tribe Hotel, where we reflected on the wonderful experiences and friendships we had built over the week. As we looked ahead, we couldn’t help but feel excited for the next gathering in 2026!
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