The launch was hosted by SlowFood member and local restaurateur Nick Price at his Belfast eatery ‘Nicks Warehouse’. Terra Madre or ‘Mother Earth’ is a one day all-island food policy conference on Friday September 5th and a four day food festival taking place in and around Waterford. The event will gather together food producers, policy-makers, manufacturers, academics, retailers, writers, chefs and food enthusiasts.
Speaking at the Belfast launch event to promote the event, the Minister said: “Terra Madre is a unique showcase for artisan food production across the island and I would encourage anyone with a love of good food to make the effort to attend the Waterford event.
“The Conference will provide a great window into the issues surrounding the sustainability of current food production methods, and provide me with a further understanding of the challenges our food communities currently face.
“It is only through strong northern representation that our industry can benefit from Terra Madre and take full advantage of the opportunities on offer at the Waterford festival of food."
The all-island conference will be addressed by Food Ministers North and South and by President Mary McAleese. The theme of the conference will be ‘The Future of Sustainable Food Production in Ireland.’
Notes to Editors:
1. SlowFood International was set up in 1989 to help local producers compete with the mass advertising of processed foods by the major multinationals. It promotes good, clean, fair, food, locally produced, where possible.
2. The Terra Madre festival will include a Conference, Gala Banquet, Artisan Food tours, Farmers Market and networking events. Terra Madre originated in Turin, Italy, where it attracts 130,000 visitors to its biannual Food Festival.
3. The Northern launch event at Nicks Warehouse was addressed by Darina Allen and Donal Lehane (Chairpersons of SlowFood Ireland and Terra Madre Ireland 2008).
4. The website address for the Waterford festival is 
www.terramadreireland.com
5. All media enquiries to the DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
