Sustainable Gastronomy Day, which takes place on June 18 every year, is a special holiday that is dedicated to sustainable cuisine that promotes food security, agricultural development, sustainable food production, nutrition, and the conservation of biodiversity. Do you know how much the food wasted annually on a global scale amounts to? Food waste, such as the produce thrown away by consumers, amounts to a financial loss of about $1 trillion annually. As such, Sustainable Gastronomy Day was established to draw the world’s attention to the role that sustainable gastronomy can play in terms of sustainable development. So, what exactly is sustainable gastronomy and how can it help us? Read on to find out more.
History of Sustainable Gastronomy Day
To learn about the history of Sustainable Gastronomy Day, you need to understand why gastronomy and sustainability are important. In simple terms, gastronomy is the style of cooking in a particular region and a cultural expression of the world’s natural and cultural diversity. Sustainability, on the other hand, is how we humans carry out processes in a way that doesn’t waste any natural resources and that can be continued into the future without any detrimental effects. So, sustainable gastronomy can be defined as cuisine that takes into account how the food is grown, where ingredients are from, and how it is transported and eventually lands on our plate.Sustainable Gastronomy Day was established by the United Nations after the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/71/246 on December 21, 2016. First observed on June 18, 2017, Sustainable Gastronomy Day is a day that ensures each culture and civilization are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development throughout the planet.On this Sustainable Gastronomy Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), as well as the U.N. General Assembly will work to raise awareness about sustainable gastronomical practices. They do this through T.V. food channels and gastronomy shows, and through food cultural exhibitions, intended for the food industry and farmers.Thus, sustainable gastronomy is linked with the three dimensions of sustainable development and can achieve the sustainable development goals by promoting agricultural development, nutrition, food production, and the conservation of biodiversity.
Sustainable Gastronomy Day timeline
The U.N. General Assembly designates June 18 as Sustainable Gastronomy Day.
Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed across the world for the first time.
The U.N. Food Systems Summit sets the stage for global food systems transformation.
More and more people start focusing on sustainable development.
Sustainable Gastronomy Day FAQs
Why is sustainable gastronomy important?
Sustainable gastronomy is important because it promotes food security, agricultural development, and the conservation of biodiversity, among others.
How does eating in a sustainable manner help the environment?
Eating sustainably and shifting to a more plant-based way of eating will help reduce freshwater withdrawals and deforestation.
What are some of the sustainable foods?
Some of the most commonly available sustainable food examples are beans, mussels, organic vegetables, leafy greens, rice, lentils, organic fruits, and bison.
How to Observe Sustainable Gastronomy Day
-
Spread the word
The best way to celebrate Sustainable Gastronomy Day is by spreading the word to the world. Teach your friends and family all you’ve learned about the importance of sustainable gastronomy.
-
Support local producers
Buy from local food markets. Support small producers/farmers/fishermen, or family-run businesses instead of organizations that process a large amount of food and waste a lot of resources in the process.
-
Keep culinary traditions alive
Try ancestral cooking methods. Cook traditional dishes that require only a small amount of resources, thus, following a sustainable cooking method.
5 Interesting Facts About Sustainable Gastronomy
-
Most food is wasted
Around one-third of food produced for human consumption is either lost or wasted.
-
That’s a lot of water
The water used to produce food that is wasted could fill Lake Geneva three times.
-
Food waste and global warming
Food waste accounts for about 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions per year.
-
Lands are wasted
28% of the world’s arable land produces food that is wasted.
-
Farm-stage food wastage
58% of global farm-stage food waste occurs in middle- and high-income regions.
Why Sustainable Gastronomy Day is Important
-
It is a much-needed day
Today, natural resources are being depleted rapidly across the world, and poverty and world hunger are ruining many lives. Sustainable Gastronomy Day is a much-needed day to highlight these issues and start a dialogue on possible solutions.
-
It avoids wastage
It teaches us to follow sustainable gastronomy by using the food ingredients wisely. Maximize every part of the food and incorporate the excess into other meals This can avoid food waste.
-
It might even help you lose weight
By eating in a sustainable gastronomic way, not only will you enjoy better-quality produce and naturally grown crops but you can also lose weight. It’s a win-win situation.
Sustainable Gastronomy Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 18 | Sunday |
| 2024 | June 18 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | June 18 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | June 18 | Thursday |
| 2027 | June 18 | Friday |
