Terra Madre Day is here today. Are you ready? And do you even know what it is?

Well, it’s a global mother earth celebration created by the slow food movement. This year’s focus is on the thousand days initiative that aims to develop community and school food gardens across Africa.

Here on the Island the day is being celebrated with a slow food potluck tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center. The event is a gastronomical coming together as well as a benefit. All proceeds go to the Thousand Days initiative.

Admission is $10 to $15 or $5 for members. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share but there will also be local food provided, including local oysters.

Willy Mason and Goodnight Louise will be singing for their food.

For those interested in sating their appetite in perhaps a more luxurious way, there is a benefit dinner tonight for both the thousand gardens initiative and the Island Food Pantry at the Menemsha Deli. Seatings are at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and feature a four-course meal made with Island ingredients and prepared by Josh Aronie and Chris Fischer.

All dinner reservations include a ticket to the Terra Madre event at the community center.

For reservations call 508-645-9902.

For more information on slow food and this year’s initiative visit slowfood.com.