Cappadocia Slow Food Earth Market is a local development project initiated by Cappadocia University, in coordination with the Ahiler Development Agency and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology. Supported under the 2024 Social Development Support Program (SOGEP), the market officially opened in Uçhisar on May 24, 2025.

Earth Markets (Earth Markets) are community markets developed by Slow Food, one of the world’s largest food movements. They promote direct contact between local producers and consumers, operate free from chemical and industrial inputs, and adhere to the principles of good, clean, and fair food. Only small-scale producers who use natural production methods participate, and sales are conducted without intermediaries. This model, reflecting Slow Food’s ethical values, prioritizes transparency in production processes, biodiversity, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Cappadocia Earth Market is part of this international network. The market is held biweekly in the garden of Kadıneli Restaurant in Uçhisar. The market area is designed not only as a place for product sales but also as a cultural meeting point where local culinary traditions are revived, and educational programs, workshops, and community events are organized.

As part of the project, training programs and workshops are conducted. These programs equip small producers, especially women, in rural areas with skills in sustainable farming, cooperative management, food hygiene, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

The project aims to enhance the product quality and economic sustainability of local producers.
Through this initiative, Cappadocia University seeks to preserve the region’s unique culinary culture while strengthening the direct economic participation of rural producers.