Terra Madre Americas

When we think about what connects us as humans, food inevitably rises to the top. But at UC Davis, a Terra Madre Americas panel revealed something deeper. Food isn't just what brings us together; it's a foundation for healthy communities and meaningful social transformation.

Moderated by Colin Dixon, director of the UC Davis Student Farm, the discussion brought together scholars and practitioners to explore food's role in building resilient communities. 

At Terra Madre Americas in September 2025, two UC Davis Health cooking demonstrations featuring chefs and registered dietitians proved that eating well during cancer recovery or for prevention doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. 

From Tuscan white bean soup to fiesta-spiced chicken with pluot salsa, these recipes show how nutritious meals can be both delicious and healing.

What happens to your favorite wine or beer when the climate that shaped it starts to change?

That question was at the heart of Sips of Change, a dynamic panel at Terra Madre Americas, where UC Davis scientists and an Argentine winemaker came together to talk adaptation, tradition, and what fermented beverages might look like in the decades ahead.

When winemakers press grapes, they're after the juice. But what happens to the skins, seeds, and stems that make up nearly 30% of the harvest?

At Terra Madre Americas in Sacramento in September 2025, two UC Davis researchers revealed how this "waste" is becoming the wine industry's next frontier of innovation.

As the new RMI Student Writer covering food science and RMI-related events, I had the opportunity to attend Terra Madre Americas, which was new to me. Having recently been passed the student writer baton by my now graduated food science mentor (thanks, Gwen!), I was excited at the prospect of attending and writing about Terra Madre Americas.

Walk into any brewery and you'll find that after brewing beer massive amounts of "spent grain" are leftover. Every year, America's 9,000 breweries produce roughly 20 billion pounds of spent grain, enough to fill a football stadium several times over. 

When Terra Madre Americas made its North American debut in Sacramento in September 2026, the three-day festival transformed the city for a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and sustainability. 

Wine tastings, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, and a bustling street festival brought together food producers, researchers, and consumers from across the Americas. At the center of it all, UC Davis led essential conversations about the future of our food systems.