Adana recently became the host of Türkiye’s first summit focused on social gastronomy and agriculture, held in October as part of the 8th International Taste of Adana Festival. Organised under the Adana Governor’s Office in collaboration with the Switzerland-based Social Gastronomy Movement (SGM), the event covered essential topics like sustainable food production, local farming practices, soil health, irrigation, and agriculture’s environmental footprint. Global participants included chefs, farmers, and entrepreneurs from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Mexico, the USA, and the Philippines.
Chef Ebru Baybara Demir, the first Turkish chef to win the prestigious 2023 Basque Culinary World Prize and recognised by the UNFAO as a Global Food Hero, led the summit, bringing together international experts and local farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs from Çukurova. The event’s goal was to explore sustainable solutions in agriculture to address global challenges.
One of the major highlights was the Universal Plate initiative, an SGM-led project carried out in 40 countries simultaneously. In celebration of World Food Day, meals were prepared and distributed to 2,500 people in Adana, joining efforts around the world to emphasise access to nutritious food.
Uniting experts to foster sustainable solutions
“Our objective with this summit is to unite the key actors in food sustainability—farmers, chefs, scientists, and community leaders—under a shared vision. Partnering with the Social Gastronomy Movement allows us to show the interconnections between agriculture, food, and social impact,” said Ebru Baybara Demir. “This summit will act as a foundation for future collaborations in soil health, food security, and sustainable agricultural development.”
Themed “Taste of the Soil,” the summit brought together a diverse group of attendees, including local farmers, international experts, government officials, and students. The discussions focused on tackling the pressing agricultural challenges of the future.
Key topics included soil health, with an emphasis on improving soil quality for long-term agricultural success. The fertile lands of the Çukurova region were presented as an ideal example for implementing and scaling sustainable farming practices globally. Water management and irrigation were also central topics, given the effects of climate change and the need for water conservation to maintain crop yields.
Nicola Gryczka, co-founder of SGM, remarked, “Food sustainability is about more than farming and cooking—it involves creating an ecosystem where everyone plays a role, from farm to plate. Through education, diversity, and collaboration, we can build resilient food systems that benefit all.” He added, “Adana’s Agriculture Summit is just the start. We hope this collaboration will help build an inclusive and sustainable future for food, laying the groundwork for future partnerships.”
Local insights and future plans
Local leaders emphasised the significance of the summit for the region and its potential for broader agricultural development. Yavuz Selim Köşger, the Governor of Adana, stated, “Adana’s diverse agricultural output showcases our fertile soil. Ensuring safe and accessible food from soil to plate is a top priority.”
Adana’s Mayor, Zeydan Karalar, spoke of the region’s agricultural potential: “Adana has some of the world’s most fertile plains, enriched by its rivers. As climate change intensifies risks in agriculture, we must protect and harness our lands. Every product grown must retain its value, and we are committed to ensuring that.”
For more information about the summit and its initiatives, visit the Taste of Adana Festival’s website.
Contact: Karolin Ergin | O2 İletişim | kergin@o2iletisim.com | 05323845711
