Uganda invited to international food expo

Slow Food Uganda vice president Kayinga Muddu Yisito examines a sweet banana garden. PHOTO BY MICHAEL J. SSALI

What you need to know:

The other African countries include, Tanzania, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, Mauritania, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Guinea Bissau

Representatives from Uganda will take part in an international food exhibition, which will be held in Turin, Italy, from September 22-26.

Known as Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, it is organised by a global anti-hunger organization, Slow Food. It is expected to attract 5,000 delegates from 160 countries, over 800 exhibitors, 300 Slow Food farmers’ groups and 500 Terra Madre food communities.

Slow Food members across the world work in groups known as presidia and they believe in traditional farming practices that protect biodiversity and the natural environment.

Fifteen African countries including Uganda will send presidia members to showcase indigenous farm crops and animals as well as exhibit cooked food.

Showcase
The other African countries include, Tanzania, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, Mauritania, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Guinea Bissau.

Uganda will send 36 farmers from four presidia, one food community, the Luweero Robusta coffee, the indigenous sweet banana from Greater Masaka Ndiizi Food Community, the climbing yam, Kayinja banana from Mukono and Buikwe districts and the Ankole Longhorn cattle from Mubende District.

The Ugandan Slow Food network will also present a Terra Madre Forum and a Cooking School dedicated to biodiversity of bananas where chefs: Betty Nakato, Beatrice Ndagano and Harriet Birabwa will prepare traditional dishes.

Seeds of Gold has been invited and granted press accreditation. The readers will be able to follow the activities in Turin.