Thought For Food – Rio Summit 23-27th July 2018
Food, and all the industries involved in its production, preparation, sale and consumption, has a transformative effect on everything from landscapes and ecosystems to the lives of individuals and communities. Anyone who takes an interest in food would have to agree that these are interesting times. Whether we’re looking at how to grow and distribute enough food to make sure everyone has enough to eat or whether we’re thinking about restaurant projects that try to make a positive contribution towards the homeless communities or those previously incarcerated, there’s a huge amount of interest in this increasingly important sector.
Later this month there will be a meeting of some of the most forward thinking minds in the world of food, right here in Rio. The Thought For Food organisation will be holding a week long summit and academy with international speakers covering a diverse range of subjects such as “how to restore nature through agroforestry” and “new solutions for smallholder farmers”. If it sounds like something you might find interesting then you can get more details about the summit and academy here.
Speaking of putting the food industry to good use, I have to give a mention to one of my favourite projects here in Brazil. Gastromotiva is an organisation that, among other things, trains people from low income families to work in the restaurant and hospitality industry. I’ll be visiting their restaurant (linked to in the first paragraph) in the coming weeks and look forward to reporting back here on the blog.
OK, I’m short on time today so I’ll cut keep this week’s post short. Seeing as it’s been a bit link-heavy today, and perhaps a little short on diversion, the least I can do is leave you with a picture. Last weekend I snapped this, the rather wonderfully named Anna’s eighty-eight (Diaethria anna):
If you’re wondering how I managed to get such a close-up without any motion blur, it’s because this particular specimen had already, ahem, ‘joined the great majority’. A most cooperative model.
The World Cup reaching its denouement, Trump in London, Planters relaunching my beloved Cheez Curls – so much going on and all you’ve got for us is ‘look at this dead butterfly’? Estou desapontado… (although I do feel for the stylish borboleta, great threads on that beauty; rest in peace, lovely Anna).
I’m starting to think there’s a bit too much drama for our own good right now – sometimes it’s better to look at a dead insect and peacefully consider your place in the universe… Those Cheez Curls look a lot like Nik Naks – and speaking of drama, who can forget the great controversy and workers’ revolt over the reintroduction of the ‘Scampi and Lemon‘ flavour?
Hmmm, someone’s been reading Genesis or listening to Kansas…
God I love those Reddit comments.