Celebrating the Food Revolution In Moscow

Celebrating The Food Revolution In Moscow

Wed 27 Jun 2012

Story by Anastasia Gulyavina
 

Fresh Air, Fresh Food, Fresh Ideas And 60 Meters Long Table



On the 19th of May the biggest park in Moscow decided to celebrate the first warm and sunny day that finally came to the city by switching over to relaxation mode – the “Green Week”.

The event has gathered a lot of ideas about healthy, eco-friendly and creative lifestyles. One of the best ways to start a conversation is to share meals, so our Food Revolution Day, which opened the Green Week, was both about eating healthy and being together: listening to each other and slowing down a bit in order to notice the wonders of nature even in the big city.

For Food Revolution Day we wanted to create a space where people could enjoy their time and feel the part of something bigger, of positive change.

Talking of positive change – the main part of it was the Charity picnic. Famous culinary bloggers, cafes and volunteers donated fresh and extremely tasty food (bakery, vegetarian sandwiches, some delicious Georgian and Italian food) that was sold by charity organizations. An invitation to try fresh bread or share sweets is the best beginning for the conversation that brings people to the question “how can I help you? What else can I do?”

The Russian edition of Jamie Magazine also got involved. Firstly, they organized a culinary master-class where the chef showed members of the community how to make burgers and grilled vegetables and shared ideas about healthy food. An amazing smell was the best advertisement that attracted even those citizens who had no idea about Food Revolution Day.

Secondly, they helped people bring the idea of cooking home by printing some of the Jamie’s recipes from the magazine for a recipe exchange – any guest could write and leave on the boards instructions on how to cook their favorite dish and then take a recipe in exchange.

Amazingly over 2,000 people attended the event, at one point I looked around and saw that all the lawns and even 60-meters long table were occupied by people – chatting, smiling, eating, playing with kids and thought that food has a lot to do with attention and love.

When we cook together to take care of health we get a chance to live not only longer lives but also happier ones.

About the author: Anastasia Gulyavina is head of the biggest charity festival in Moscow “Heart2Heart Bazar”, a TEDx organizer and is in love with new ideas, deep conversations and tasty food.

Photo Credit: Daria Soboleva for StepUp and Maria Zheleznova for Jamie Magazine