June 18th of every year is observed as the sustainable gastronomy day to celebrate seasonal ingredients and producers, preserve wildlife and culinary traditions.
On this day, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) facilitate the day in collaboration with the United Nations(UN) organisations and their member states with other international organisations works to create an awareness to the general public on their contribution in sustainable development.
Background:
June 18 was designated as the Sustainable Gastronomy Day by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in its resolution A/RES/71/246 on 21st December 2016 to acknowledge the gastronomy as a cultural expression associated with natural and cultural diversity.
Sustainable Gastronomy:
Gastronomy is known as the art of food and also referred to the local food and cuisine.
Sustainable gastronomy is the cuisine that accounts to the origin of the ingredients, the methods used in producing and marketing the food and how the food is prepared and reached the consumers which does not waste any form of natural resources.
Steps taken for Sustainable Gastronomy:
i.The UNESCO launched the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2004 to encourage partnership in the 7 creative fields and share their best practices which resulted in designating 26 cities as Creative Cities of Gastronomy as of 2020.
ii.The local restaurants are encouraged to use gas and electricity (clean energy) in place of coal and to use natural gas instead of carbon.
iii.Promoting the benefits of sustainable gastronomy through food channels, shows and food cultural exhibitions for the farmers and food industries.
iv.FAO suggests the countries with dietary guidelines to incorporate sustainability into their guidelines.
v.The Online feature “Crop of the Month” by FAO promotes diversification of crops to support the traditional crops and practice sustainable food production and natural resource management.
About UNESCO:
Director General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
About FAO:
Director General– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
