Terra Madre Americas 2025 kicks off in Sacramento

On Friday afternoon, the Safe Credit Union Convention Center in Downtown Sacramento was transformed into the epicenter of the global Slow Food Movement.

With hundreds of farmers, food lovers, vendors, and culinary enthusiasts, Terra Madre Americas made its debut in the Farm-to-Fork Capital. The event, inspired by Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Italy, kicked off Friday and will run through the weekend. 

The festival is free and it aims to educate people about sustainable agriculture and food.

Many vendors from Oregon, the Bay Area, Sacramento and surrounding areas had booths where people could try samples of their products. 

Brad Cecchi, the culinary director of Terra Madre Americas and co-founder of Humble Restaurant Group, said so far the turnout has been “awesome.”

“People are super jazzed, and it's cool to see everybody really spread out through the space, enjoying all the market and the exhibits and Enoteca,” he Cecchi said. So it's more than we could have asked for.”

Exhibitors from Slow Grains USA speaking with attendees at the Terra Madre Americas food festival.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio

Cecchi said he expects double the number of attendees on Saturday and Sunday because they’ll be able to spill out onto the street and enjoy live music and the street festival.

“People can walk around and taste really delicious products that fit that good, clean and fair mantra of Slow Food,” he said. “Then have a direct correlation to tasting those things and then learning about good clean food systems. They can go to the agroecology kitchen and to the demo stages and to all of the exhibits around and learn about Slow Food, and learn about responsible agriculture.”

One of the vendors in attendance was the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, who were discussing the Tribe’s environmental and food sovereignty programs.

Marcela Tayab, the habitat restoration specialist, said the Tribe has a small community garden and a tribal nursery in which they collect seeds and grow plants that go to different restoration projects.

“We also run our food sovereignty program, which is the main reason why we're here,” Tayab said. “We focus mainly on traditional foods, growing these out, providing them to the membership.” 

Tayab said it’s heartwarming to know that there are different tribes in Sacramento and to be a part of Terra Madre Americas.

“It’s nice to highlight other foods, as well as traditional foods, especially in Terra Madre,” she said.

Chef Jason Azevedo also had a booth at the festival, where he showcased and sold his products. Azevedo owns Pasta Therapy, a handcrafted pasta and sauces business featuring Riganotoni, Bucatini, Fusili, and Radiotri pastas.

Chef Jason Azevedo stands in front of his emotional support pasta during Terra Madre Americas 2025.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio

Azevedo said he uses a blend of three organic flours and traditional bronze dies to create his pasta, emphasizing simplicity and consistency. He labeled his product as “emotional support pasta.”

“If you're having a bad day, it's a better day when you're eating pasta, if you're having a good day — it's a great day,” he said. “You see the memes that say eating pasta is more stimulating than sports and music, and some family members. I think a lot of times we eat pasta usually in a bigger setting, and possibly sharing. And the best food you eat is sharing.”

You can find the emotional support pasta at Midtown’s Saturday farmers market, according to Azevedo. They also do workshops at Empress Tavern a few times a month.

“We’re just looking to make good pasta and sauces and build community,” he said.

The festival will continue through the weekend with live music and a street fair market happening outside of the convention center on I Street featuring artists The War on Drugs, Spoon and Big Head Todd and The Monsters.