The Social Gastronomy Movement Launches SGM Food Solidarity Fund

Today, in celebration of Sustainable Gastronomy Day - a United Nations-designated day of observance of those using gastronomy sustainably to create a better and healthier planet for everyone - the Social Gastronomy Movement (SGM) is launching the SGM Food Solidarity Fund. This fund is an extension of the #SGMSolidarityChain initiative on our Instagram, which addresses the effects of COVID-19 worldwide.

The initial funding provided by one of SGM’s partners and supporters, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, gives SGM the resources and opportunity to provide critical financial help for up to USD 10,000 to ten social gastronomy organizations from our trusted network in ten different countries to continue bring food and support to the most vulnerable in their local communities. 

“Joining forces with our partner 50 Best Restaurants this week, we are able to kick off a dream to jointly serve 1 million meals around the world,” said Nicola Gryczka, the co-founder and chief orchestrator of SGM. “This is the time we need to come together and support each other. In times of crisis, connecting, collaborating, and partnering becomes ever more important to address world hunger!”

“In March it became very apparent to us that the world of hospitality which we operate in was going to be severely impacted by the Coronavirus. So much so that we have taken the decision to postpone the celebration of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards and in its place run a campaign we have called 50 Best for Recovery,” said Tim Brooke-Webb,  Managing Director of The World’s 50 Best and Hospitality Brands.

“One of the main pillars of this campaign is a fundraising auction where we have approached our communities of chefs, bartenders and partners and asked them to donate incredible gastronomic experiences which will be auctioned at the beginning of July.  The proceeds will be distributed directly to helping restaurants and bars in their hour of need, and amongst several non-profit organisations. SGM is one of the key beneficiaries of our recovery fund distribution – a cause which resonated loudly with what we also are trying to achieve,” said Brooke-Webb.

A call to applications and more information will be coming soon about this exciting opportunity through the SGM newsletter and on this dedicated webpage.

SGM partnerships team is working hard to get other partners and sponsors onboard to help this growing global network to provide meals to those most impacted by this unprecedented crisis. 

Stay tuned for more details!