About Us
Vision
Connected and strengthened Social Gastronomy communities around the world working towards an equitable future, inclusive society, and a healthy planet.
Mission
We engage people in food systems to collaborate for social change.
Values
Service, Equity, Collaboration, and Gratitude
Social gastronomy uses the power of food to generate social change.
We support members of this network by
Coordinating and connecting this group of inspiring change-makers, giving visibility to grassroots voices, and facilitating the space for true connection, dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coalition building
Mobilizing collective action within local communities and global action campaigns
Building capacity through training, tool kits, and storytelling platforms to enable radical collaboration and collective impact
Co-creating and scaling innovations and solutions to food system inequities and the disconnect we face in our society
The Social Gastronomy Movement: Our Story
The Social Gastronomy Movement is a global network of local communities that use the power of food to transform realities.
Breaking bread and connecting through food has always been a way for communities to gather and support each other. The Social Gastronomy Movement (SGM) was born from that simple idea. Chef and social entrepreneur David Hertz, founder of Gastromotiva, had a vision: to create an interconnected global support network of local communities that use the power of food to create social change. That dream soon became a reality with a collaboration between Nicola Gryczka, Patrick Honauer, now board members of Social Gastronomy Schweiz, and fifty other food systems stakeholders who gathered with the intention to work towards a more inclusive and just food system.
In 2018 SGM was incubated and coordinated by Gastromotiva as a two-year pilot and officially presented SGM during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Please see the pilot phase report for more details.
In July 2020, SGM under the leadership of Nicola Gryczka, began its transition out of Gastromotiva to become a registered foundation in Switzerland and become an umbrella organization to our community of +400 nonprofits, chefs, activists, activists, and entrepreneurs across over 70 countries and five continents.
The official Social Gastronomy Movement Foundation, Social Gastronomy Schweiz, is coordinated by a decentralized backbone team and supported on structural, financial, and legal matters by a small board, while the vision and mission are guided by the input from a trimestrial General Assembly.
We exist to cultivate the collective impact of people who are transforming the food system toward an equitable society. We do this by building bridges between global and local actors and elevating all voices at the table.
OUR TEAM
Hello! We are the SGM Backbone team! We’re a multi-cultural, de-centralized, and enthusiastic team that is passionate about the Social Gastronomy Movement. Together, we serve as the support system to our global community, spending our days fostering connection, collaboration, and partnerships!
Click on our pictures to learn more about one of us!
NSUNGWE MULENDEMA, Zambia
Lead Global Communications & Community Engagement
Janet Gavidia, USA
Project Manager
Ella Cusano, Italy
SGM Principles Coordinator
NICODEMUS OMUNDO, Kenya
#UniversalPlate Campaign Coach
KIU COATES, Portugal
Collective Impact Program Coach
Swiss legal board
Patrick Honauer, Switzerland
President
Rafael Rincón, Chile
Associated organizations: Co-founder and President - Fundación Gastronomía Social Chile.
Charles Holmes, Canada
Michelle Horovitz, USA
Associated organizations: Co-founder, Vice President of Innovation - Appetite for Change
ADVISORS
David Hertz, Brazil
Associated organizations: Gastromotiva
Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman, USA
Associated organizations: Founder - Conflict Cuisine, Professor - American University, Distinguished Fellow - The Stimson Center and Adjunct
Mwandwe Chileshe, Zambia
Associated organizations: Food Security Nutrition and Agriculture responsible - Global Citizen
In The Press
“A future distinct from the past, a world with our hunger” "
SGM Orchestrator Nicola Gryczka at TedXPelourinho
Published on December 10, 2021
Who is with us?
The Social Gastronomy movement recognizes the value of partnerships with foundations, corporate entities and other alies in driving social change. By collaborating with partners and allies, the movement can leverage their resources, expertise, and networks to amplify its impact. The movement values its partners who share its commitment to using food as a tool for social transformation and align with its core principles. These partnerships are built on mutual respect, transparency, and a shared vision for a more equitable and sustainable food system.
When working with corporate partners, the Social Gastronomy movement fosters meaningful collaborations that go beyond traditional philanthropy. It seeks to establish strategic partnerships that create shared value and lasting impact. Corporate partners may contribute by providing financial support, in-kind donations, or leveraging their business expertise to develop sustainable solutions. They can also offer mentorship, job training, and employment opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities. By combining the movement's expertise in social gastronomy and the corporate partner's resources, innovative solutions can be developed to address pressing social issues, such as food waste, hunger, and social exclusion. These partnerships aim to create a positive change in communities, promote social responsibility, and inspire other businesses to embrace sustainable and inclusive practices.
We are grateful to our wonderful partners and alliances who have committed to stand by us and support our mission.
