Second General Assembly Meeting of The World Farmers Markets Coalition it was held in Rome on July 12-13, 2024. This huge event brought together over 100 leaders in agriculture and community development from around the world to share in a global farmers market community of practice.
Representatives from over 60 different countries and regions joint forces to support the development of sustainable local food systems. This gathering aimed to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas, empowering local economies, enhancing public healthcare, and promoting biodiversity through farmers market partnerships.
The event featured contributions from high-level government representatives of Rome as:
- Antonio Tajani Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation;
- Francesco Lollobrogida Italian Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty;
- Ettore Prandini Coldiretti President;
- Roberto Gualtieri Sindaco The Mayor of Rome;
- Vincenzo Gesmundo Secretary General, Coldiretti;
- Hans Hoogeveen President of the Council of the Organization of NationsUnited for Food and Agriculture (FAO);
- Katherine Meighan, Associate Vice president, External Relations and Governance Department (IFAD);
- Heidi Künh 2023 World Food Prize Laureate, Founder and Ceo of Roots of Peace;
Key discussion topics during the assembly have been:
– Fostering biodiversity and family farming; How houses of worship can practically support farmers markets; The economic impact of farmers markets in creating innovation, communities, and fraternity places; “Better together”: the idea that farmers markets need partners, like local national and international association.
The General Assembly has presented an exhibition called “The Biodiversity of the World” followed by a robust program focused on the role of Farmers Markets achieving resilient and sustainable food systems and communities.
During these days all the members of the assembly met “Fratelli Tutti Foundation” in Vatican City.
WorldFMC is a Rome-based non-profit organization, launched in July 2021 during the Pre-Food System Summit in Rome and in the presence of the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nation Mrs. Amina J. Mohammed. It is one of the ten projects selected under the Food Coalition Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Officially recognized as an international association in June 2022, It represents over 70 associations from more than 60 countries, encompassing 20,000 markets, 200,000 farming families, and over 300 million consumers. Carmelo Troccoli is the director and Richard McCarthy the president.
Check here All the Press Release https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WO64fhPgKJ2l3AqOX6KbYnna_BTZ2mWC?usp=sharing
