Each year at IGCAT, we commemorate sustainable gastronomy as a pillar that represents each of our areas of interest; as gastronomy is the cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world.
Today we ratify our commitment to SUSTAINABLE GASTRONOMY, which means “cuisine that takes into account where the ingredients are from, how the food is grown and how it gets to our markets and eventually to our plates” as stated by FAO.
How does IGCAT contribute to the development of sustainable gastronomy?
We develop focus areas designed to:
- Strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures.
- Create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation.
- Nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education.
- Drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors.
- Support balance and sustainable tourism practices.
- Highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices.
- Contribute to community health and well-being.
How can you help develop and preserve sustainable gastronomy?
- Support your farmers: Go to local food markets. By buying from small producers or family farmers, you are supporting their livelihoods and strengthening communities.
- Try local foods in your travels: whether trying types of fish you have never heard of or fruits that you have never seen before, eating local products helps to give you a better insight into the culture of a place and supports local economies.
- Keep culinary traditions alive! Culinary traditions are generally sustainable by nature and remind us of our ancestral roots. Try cooking recipes that use ingredients native to your region.
- Avoid food waste: While cooking, and even after your meal, be conscious to use all of your ingredients wisely and to save your leftovers. Being careful about portion size, expiration dates and reuse of meals is one of the easiest ways to save natural resources. (FAO)
At IGCAT our ultimate goal is to inspire local communities to be proud of their cultural, creative and culinary assets and thus, support sustainable development for a more equitable world. We strongly believe that the protection and the promotion of regional cultural and food diversity are key for the future of local economies.
This is the reason for which we want to empower local communities by sensitizing them to the importance of safeguarding and promoting their various food, cultural, artistic and sustainable tourism resources.