International celebration merges with Visit Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork Festival downtown
Imagine strolling through downtown Sacramento as the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with sizzling farm-fresh produce, the sound of live music drifts through city streets, and conversations about food justice and sustainability rise from bustling stages. That’s the atmosphere visitors can expect when Terra Madre Americas 2025 makes its American debut in California’s capital this fall, in partnership with Visit Sacramento’s beloved Farm-to-Fork Festival.
From September 26 through 28, the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and the surrounding blocks will become the epicenter of food culture across the Americas. Free and open to the public, the festival promises three days of tastings, chef demonstrations, artisan markets, cultural exhibits, and street-festival energy, all underscoring Sacramento’s growing reputation as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.
The program kicks off Friday, September 26, with a daytime showcase of cooking demos, interactive workshops, food and drink vendors, and panel discussions exploring topics from indigenous foodways to sustainable agriculture. Attendees can sample bites from local artisans, discover new wines and spirits in the Slow Drink Lounge, and meet food producers from across the continent.
Friday evening, the Convention Center ballroom will host the Grand Tasting, a ticketed event for ages 21 and up. From 6 to 9 p.m., more than 20 celebrated chefs will offer signature creations alongside curated libations, paired with live entertainment in an intimate, upscale atmosphere. This exclusive experience will set the tone for a weekend that blends serious food education with a festive community spirit.
Throughout the weekend, Terra Madre Americas will welcome some of the most recognizable names in the culinary world. Icons such as Alice Waters, Jeremiah Tower, Sean Sherman, Crystal Wahpepah, Elizabeth Falkner, Drew Deckman, and Matthew Beaudin will appear for demonstrations, conversations, and tastings. Their presence underscores the significance of Sacramento hosting an international event rooted in Slow Food’s mission of good, clean, and fair food for all.
Meanwhile, a pop-up restaurant experience will provide a limited number of guests with an intimate, multi-course meal crafted by both regional and celebrity chefs, creating a dining memory unlike any other. Wine lovers will find their retreat inside the Bank of America Enoteca, while adventurous palates can explore global cocktails designed by leading mixologists.
By Saturday and Sunday, the festival expands beyond the Convention Center walls into an outdoor street fair. The Golden 1 Live Music Stage will bring nationally recognized acts to downtown, with performances from Spoon, The War on Drugs, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Jade Bird, and Passion Pit in a solo acoustic performance among others. Food trucks, craft beer gardens, farmers’ market stalls, and artisan vendors will line the streets, creating a full-scale street-festival experience in the heart of the city.
Interactive workshops and educational sessions will continue throughout the weekend, giving attendees the chance to dive deeper into food traditions, learn hands-on skills like cheese-making and coffee tasting, and hear directly from leaders in sustainable farming and food systems.
For more than a decade, Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork Festival has grown into one of the most distinctive culinary gatherings in the nation. By hosting the first-ever Terra Madre Americas, the city is stepping onto the international stage, showcasing its farmers, chefs, and food culture to a global audience. The partnership highlights the region’s role as a leader in sustainable agriculture and innovative cuisine.
General admission to Terra Madre Americas is free, with no tickets required for entry to the daytime and street-festival programming. The Grand Tasting, however, is a separately ticketed event and expected to sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased now at terramadreusa.com.
Vendors and exhibitors interested in participating can also find applications and details online, making this not only a community celebration but an opportunity for businesses and artisans to connect with thousands of festival-goers.
With world-class chefs, international tastings, street-festival energy, and Sacramento’s own farm-to-fork spirit at its core, Terra Madre Americas promises to be one of the most memorable events of 2025. Whether you come for the food, the music, or the chance to be part of a cultural milestone, this September’s festival will be a feast for the senses and a showcase of why Sacramento continues to earn its reputation as a true food capital.
For schedules, ticketed events, and the latest updates, visit terramadreusa.com.
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