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| The cities inhabitants are as diverse as the tourists on La Piazza di Spagna |
As you
might have notices after almost two years of posts this blogs tries to make a
relation between people, their relation to food and their habitat. During the past years this subject has become more and
more important in policies of local and national governments. Also in Milan.
Last week I
visited a conference called Coltivare la Diversita
(cultivate diversity). The conference was the start of a weekend of activities
related to food and its cultural value in and out of Europe. Activities like
round tables, theatre plays on the origin of food products, cooking laboratories
and discussions on the current food system. Besides that a series of films on
food which are all on display for free.
The
conference hosted over five speakers from different European countries all able
to say something about the relation between people and the way they (have to)
get their daily food. The main goal of the meeting seemed to be to discuss how
communities - whether they are a private initiative or an institution - could
create a way to foresee in their food in a sustainable way and become more sovereign.
The
backyard of Milan produces a lot of food. An interesting fact as it is a good
opportunity to bring the consumer and producer in contact with each other.
However, as diverse the inhabitants of Milan are, so homogeneous are their
crops; more than sixty percent of the produce is rise, grain and corn. That
doesn't make up for the diversity of dishes served in the cities restaurants….
Milan isn't
the only (European) city which has a colorful range of citizens but a sober
backyard. The potential of this backyard is enormous but therefore help from
its users is indispensable. Some examples where presented - one already brought
into practice, another still a dream. There are many opportunities but also
many steps to take.
A start is
made and hopefully Milan and all the other ambitious cities make it to the end.
From now on Food in the Streets has a facebook page. On this page you find regular updates related to food, streets and
people.
