Sofia, Bulgaria - Visitors to the first Terra Madre Balkans event, which opened in Sofia today, were greeted with specialty cheeses, artisan breads, jam and honey. The food fair for small-scale farmers and producers, devised by the organization Slow Food and supported by WWF, kicked off in the Botanical Garden of the Bulgarian capital this morning. During the three-day event, farmers and food producers from ten countries will offer food tastings and culinary demonstrations, showcasing food produced in a sustainable, clean and fair way.

“Balkan countries share common food traditions and similar socio-economic conditions. Therefore, common and timely transnational efforts are needed to safeguard their rural heritage”, said Dessislava Dimitrova, Event Coordinator.