Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Awareness Conservation Food
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every June 18
Holiday emoji:: ♻️

Sustainable Gastronomy Day, observed every June 18, champions culinary practices that prioritize environmental and social well-being. This global observance highlights the vital link between what we eat and the health of our planet, advocating for food security and biodiversity. Learn how to support local producers, reduce food waste, and make conscious choices for a greener future.

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History
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FAQs
Importance
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Expected Sustainable Gastronomy Day Deals

As a Cause holiday, Sustainable Gastronomy Day focuses less on commercial deals and more on educational initiatives and community engagement. Organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) often partner with local restaurants and culinary schools to host workshops and awareness campaigns. Expect special menus featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at farm-to-table establishments, and perhaps donation-matching programs from brands like Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s that support sustainable farming. Food waste reduction apps such as Too Good To Go may offer special promotions to minimize edible food going to landfill. Look for educational content from culinary brands like Blue Apron or HelloFresh on sustainable cooking practices. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as June 18 approaches.

Platform Guide for Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SustainableGastronomyDay. Share visually appealing dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of sustainable food practices.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #SustainableGastronomyDay. Host a live Q&A with a local chef or farmer about sustainable sourcing, or share resources on reducing food waste at home.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SustainableGastronomyDay. Join conversations about food policy, agricultural development, and biodiversity conservation, sharing insights and calls to action.

Sustainable Gastronomy Day Hero

Alice Waters

Alice Waters, a pioneering American chef, restaurateur, and food activist, is widely credited with founding the farm-to-table movement. In 1971, she opened Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, emphasizing locally sourced, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Her work has profoundly influenced sustainable gastronomy, advocating for ecological food systems and educating consumers about the origins of their food.

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

2016

The Designation of Sustainable Gastronomy Day

The U.N. General Assembly designates June 18 as Sustainable Gastronomy Day.

2017

The First Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed across the world for the first time.

2021

The Food Systems Summit

The U.N. Food Systems Summit sets the stage for global food systems transformation.

2022

Sustainable Development Takes Charge

More and more people start focusing on sustainable development.

Sustainable Gastronomy Day FAQs

When is Sustainable Gastronomy Day?

Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2026 falls on Thursday, June 18, inviting everyone to reflect on the journey of their food from farm to plate and its environmental impact.

How much food is wasted globally each year?

Globally, approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year, amounting to about 1.3 billion tons. This waste represents a significant financial loss and environmental burden.

What are the core principles of sustainable gastronomy?

Sustainable gastronomy emphasizes food that is sourced, prepared, and consumed in a way that respects the environment, supports local communities, and ensures fair practices. Key principles include using seasonal and local ingredients, reducing food waste, and promoting biodiversity.

Is Sustainable Gastronomy Day a United Nations observance?

Yes, Sustainable Gastronomy Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016. It highlights the role of sustainable gastronomy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to food security and environmental protection.

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.