BIG PICNIC and DISCO SOUP

The two initiatives focus the attention of the citizens of the capital city on the “food safety” topic

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, one third of the produced foods are thrown away before they are consumed. The resources used for their production – natural (fuels, water, soil), and social are also wasted going down the drain. At the same time, around 1,000,000,000 people are starving.
 
The world movement Slow Food for years has worked on the problem with the throwing away of food, and one of the most successful events on the topic is Disco Soup, which was organized for the first time five years ago in the iconic space Markthalle Neun at the Kreuzberger Quarter in Berlin.
 
On April 29, 2017 for the first time Disco Soup was held on one and the same day throughout the world. Slow Food Sofia took part in the worldwide feast together with the University Botanic Gardens, the Bulgarian Food Bank, the Environmental Association Za Zemiata (for the Earth), and Amuse Bouche Culinary School. The Botanic Garden at the “Levski” Monument welcomed all who wished to learn more about the problems related with the throwing away of food, and the possibilities for solving them on that Saturday afternoon. In a detached nook, the hosts presented the “BIG PICNIC Project: the major issues – engaging the public with scientific research and innovations in the food safety sphere” via interactive demonstrations, thematic discussions, and an exchange of experience. The visitors defined the following important aspects impacting the safety of foods in this country: the necessity of development of a sustainable agriculture, including also the safety and protection of local agricultural producers, the provision of healthy foods on the part of the merchants and last but not least – the active demand for quality Bulgarian produce on the part of the each consumer.

The event transformed into a true picnic on the grass and provided the great pleasure of a tasty salad and pleasant conversations.