Addressing food businesses and innovators gathered together at the 2016 IFAMA World Conference, Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT told businesses to protect culture and food diversity and to recognise the importance of ‘terroir’, culture, landscape and traditions – if not for sustainable tourism, regional branding, health, nutrition, then to protect the biodiversity of the planet. She warned that customers are increasingly becoming more responsible in their consumer behaviour, therefore to maintain competitive, businesses need to step up their social responsibility.
The IFAMA World Conference took place in the city of Aarhus – Central Denmark Region, that has recently been awarded the European Region of Gastronomy Award for 2017, together with East Lombardy and Riga-Gauja region. Erik Sejersen, Head of Department at Central Denmark Region took the IFAMA participants on a metaphorical journey through the region, highlighting the great community initiatives taking place throughout the region, and that are raising awareness about good food and healthy eating. He demonstrated how communities are now the driving force for corporate responsibility.
The European Region of Gastronomy Platform are ten pioneering regions experimenting with interdisciplinary methods to raise food standards and ensure good quality food for all by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating culinary innovation. The award is given by IGCAT – International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism with the support of European institutions. IGCAT is an international interdisciplinary network of experts aiming to empower and facilitate local communities to realise the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts, sustainable tourism and other local resources.
IFAMA was formed in 1990 to stimulate strategic thinking across the full spectrum of the food chain.
22 June 2016
