Taste of Place: A New Movement Celebrating Local Food Cultures and Culinary Traditions

Published on December 11, 2025

The World Food Travel Association (WFTA) has officially launched its “Taste of Place” movement, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at preserving culinary cultures, promoting local food producers, and offering food lovers and travelers authentic, place-based food experiences. The movement seeks to build a comprehensive platform that celebrates and safeguards the culinary traditions and food heritage that make each region unique, ensuring that local food artisans, producers, and cultural custodians receive the recognition and support they deserve.

As traditional foodways around the world face threats from economic pressures, rural decline, climate change, and the loss of intergenerational knowledge, Taste of Place aims to provide visibility to these often-overlooked communities and their invaluable contributions to global culinary culture. This initiative comes at a critical time for the food, hospitality, and tourism sectors, as the need for sustainable food tourism and authentic culinary experiences continues to grow.

A Platform Dedicated to Culinary Culture and Local Producers

The Taste of Place movement will serve as a platform for food lovers, travelers, and cultural advocates to connect with local food producers, culinary artisans, and businesses that specialize in traditional and heritage foods. One of the core features of the initiative is the creation of a global directory that will highlight these key food figures, their practices, and the food experiences they offer. This will help visitors easily discover and access authentic culinary experiences while supporting the livelihoods of small-scale, local food businesses.

The movement will also feature a digital encyclopedia documenting the rich culinary cultures of every region, including traditional dishes, ingredients, and food customs. This will serve as an important resource for travelers and culinary enthusiasts seeking to explore food traditions and stories from diverse cultures.

Additionally, a global magazine will showcase these overlooked communities and their food traditions, bringing attention to the unsung heroes of the culinary world. A community hub will also allow supporters to contribute directly to the content, making it a collaborative effort to preserve and celebrate food cultures worldwide.

Supporting Culinary Heritage and Tourism

The Taste of Place movement is not just about building a platform, it’s about creating a global movement to honor the diverse flavors, skills, and stories that define each region’s culinary identity. The WFTA is inviting individuals, food lovers, organizations, and cultural advocates to support the initiative, with contributors receiving exclusive privileges such as the ability to nominate culinary heritage guardians and feature their own content once the platform officially launches.

For U.S.-based supporters, contributions to the project may also be tax-deductible, as the WFTA operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This allows food enthusiasts and travelers to not only contribute to the movement but also enjoy the added benefit of supporting a cause dedicated to the long-term preservation of culinary traditions.

The Global Impact of Taste of Place

Taste of Place is more than just a platform for food and travel, it’s a celebration of the shared global experience of food, connecting people across cultures and continents through the universal language of cuisine. By supporting the preservation of culinary heritage and elevating the work of local food producers, the initiative aims to foster a deeper appreciation for authentic, place-based food and encourage travelers to engage with destinations in a more meaningful and sustainable way.

As the food tourism industry continues to grow, initiatives like Taste of Place are crucial in ensuring that the richness of local culinary traditions is celebrated and protected for future generations. This movement invites all food lovers to be part of something bigger, an effort to create a more inclusive and sustainable food culture that values authenticity and cultural integrity.

Taste of Place Paves the Way for a New Era of Culinary Travel

The launch of the Taste of Place movement by the World Food Travel Association marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for food tourism. By focusing on the preservation of culinary traditions and the promotion of local producers, the movement aims to elevate food travel to a new level, offering travelers the chance to connect with food cultures on a deeper, more personal level. With its commitment to authenticity, cultural integrity, and social responsibility, Taste of Place will redefine the way we experience and appreciate food tourism in the years to come.