From September 24 to 26, Felipe Garcia, President & CEO of Visit Tucson, and President of The Food Capitals, represented the international network in Turin, Italy, during Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026, one of the world's leading gatherings dedicated to sustainable food systems, biodiversity and culinary heritage.
Welcomed by long-standing member city Turin, the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen international connections, exchange experiences on food policies and gastronomic tourism, and showcase the important role cities play in building more sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems.
Organized by Slow Food, the City of Turin and the Piedmont Region, the 2026 edition of Terra Madre celebrated the extraordinary biodiversity of food, knowledge, traditions and cultures under the theme “Biodiversity – Be Diversity.”
At the invitation of the City of Turin, Felipe Garcia represented The Food Capitals at the “General States of International Cooperation of Local and Regional Authorities,” held within the framework of Terra Madre. The program brought together municipalities, institutions and international partners to share knowledge and explore new approaches to food security, sustainable development, local food governance and international cooperation.
More specifically, Felipe Garcia participated in the panel discussion "Food, Business and Work: Good, Clean and Fair," alongside Michela Favaro, Deputy Mayor of Turin, and representatives of other municipalities, businesses, and the agricultural and social enterprise sectors. Other panelists included: Mauro Castellano, Unionalimentari – Confapi; Davide Danni, Founder, Panatè Benefit Corporation; Riccardo Andreoni, Savurè, Maestro del Gusto; Manuel A. Alculete Lopes de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique; and Ming Chen, President, Codiasco.
Felipe brought an international city-network perspective to the conversation, emphasizing the importance of connecting local governments, tourism stakeholders and food professionals to exchange solutions and learn from one another.
“We were very pleased to discuss such important issues with Felipe Garcia, President & CEO of Visit Tucson and President of The Food Capitals. Once again, Terra Madre has proven to be an opportunity to reflect on the sustainability of food production,” says Michela Favaro, Deputy Mayor of Turin, “Dialogue between different cities and between countries with diverse food and production histories is the foundation for reaching conclusions that help everyone better develop their own approach to food and production security, based on the premise that, in our globalized world, it is unthinkable to act alone.”
Felipe also met with Paolo Chiavarino, Cabinet Member for Commerce, Markets, and Business Regulations for the City of Turin, to learn how the city stands out as a great place to do business.
Beyond the international discussions, Garcia's was an opportunity to discover how Turin is positioning food and gastronomy as key drivers of its destination identity and local economic development.
During meetings and exchanges with colleagues from Turismo Torino e Provincia, the visit focused on the city's initiatives to promote its rich culinary heritage, support local producers and create authentic experiences for visitors and residents alike. Among these initiatives is Mangébin – Il Piemonte in Tavola, a collaborative project bringing together the City of Turin, Turismo Torino e Provincia, the Turin Chamber of Commerce and local trade associations. The initiative aims to celebrate and preserve Piedmont's rich culinary traditions by promoting authentic regional cuisine, local restaurants and wine producers. Participating restaurants must offer at least 60% traditional Piedmontese dishes using local ingredients, while at least 60% of their wine selection must originate from Piedmont.
Another initiative, like Maestri del Gusto (“Masters of Tastes”), celebrate outstanding local food artisans and producers who embody the region’s culinary heritage, expertise, and craftsmanship.
“A standout highlight for me is the collaboration with the Turin Chamber of Commerce certifying local food producers, winemakers, and restaurants as “Masters of Taste.” Smart, rigorous, proudly local, making it easier for visitors to find the best while lifting up the people who make it,” shares Felipe Garcia. “This aligns squarely with The Food Capitals vision of sharing knowledge across cities. In Tucson, we’ve built a parallel pathway through the Tucson City of Gastronomy certification program. Different terroirs, same goal: celebrate excellence, safeguard heritage, and grow inclusive, resilient food economies.”
Marcella Gaspardone, General Manager of Turismo Torino e Provincia adds, "It was a true pleasure to welcome Felipe Garcia in person to Turin for Terra Madre 2026. Being able to finally meet face-to-face and take the time to discuss ideas closely added extraordinary value to our dialogue. This meeting confirmed how vital it is to be part of an international network like The Food Capitals. Being partners in a global network allows us not only to share our own excellence, such as the Mangébin and Maestri del Gusto projects, but also to learn from the best practices of distant cities: it creates a continuous flow where we can teach and learn at the same time, working together to build an increasingly sustainable gastronomic tourism."
Felipe’s program in Turin also included a guided tour of Terra Madre and a visit to Mercato del Corso Campagna Amica, an initiative that brings local agricultural producers and consumers closer together. The Food Capitals had already been introduced to this market during one of our online Monthly Treat meetings earlier this year, with best practices shared by Turin, Wroclaw, Lausanne, and more. These international perspectives illustrate the importance of local markets in strengthening connections between urban communities and local producers, promoting more sustainable production and consumption.
From international policy discussions to local initiatives rooted in culinary heritage, the visit highlighted the value of learning directly from fellow member cities and transforming shared experiences into new opportunities for collaboration across The Food Capitals network.
The Food Capitals warmly thanks the City of Turin, Turismo Torino e Provincia and all the partners involved for such a warm welcome and hospitality during Terra Madre.
Photos: © City of Turin
