Meaningful Dialogue
Collaborative Action
Shared Learnings
Celebration
SGM SUMMIT - SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2022
Meaningful Dialogue Collaborative Action Shared Learnings Celebration SGM SUMMIT - SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2022
Please note that Summit activities have come to a close. If you are interested in learning about the outcomes- from 71 million meals to over 60 countries engaged, please visit our Summit Impact Report.
SUMMIT 2022: Social Gastronomy In Action
The Social Gastronomy Movement’s Annual Summit is where we gather celebrate, challenge, share and embrace our global communities through the tool that unites us: gastronomy.
Like a busy kitchen during the holidays, the SGM Summit is an event we hold dear to our hearts as we invite everyone into our ‘family’
Thank you to all who were active and part of the Summit activities, engaging communities in collectively serving three million meals, starting on the first day of Hunger Action Month (September) until World Food Day (October 16), or who joined to hear from expert practitioners using food as a political lever through the Universal Table Dialogue.
#UniversalPlate
Universal Table
Local Gatherings
2022 UNIVERSAL TABLE
Our global food system is in crisis. Currently, the 'Four Cs' (COVID, Climate emergency, conflict, and rising costs) are converging, and the world is at a turning point.
The Universal Table is a carefully curated dialogue that unites food systems stakeholders from across sectors who would not usually sit at the table together. Those who participated engaged in a deep discussion, learning about and from each other and identifying possible solutions and new ways forward. The main dialogue was followed by breakout room sessions with members of the Social Gastronomy Movement to continue diving deeper into what was discussed.
Who was at at the table?
Diego Benitez, Founder & CEO, SiembraViva SAS (Colombia)
Dina Saoudi, Co-Founder of Seven Circles & Empowering Through (Jordan)
Joshna Maharaj, Chef, Activist & Educator (Canada)
Kim Frankovich, Global Vice President, Sustainability for Griffith Foods Worldwide Inc. (USA)
Matt Smith, Senior Director of the PepsiCo Foundation (USA)
Maxwell Mumba, Youth Advocate and Psychosocial Counselor (Zambia)
The dialogue was facilitated by SGM Member and expert convener DeVon Nolen, who followed a refined framework designed to harvest insight and reflection that translates across borders, industries, and life experiences.
Missed the table? No problem, Check it out on YouTube today.
The Universal Table
September 30, 2022 from 11:00 - 13:00 (EST)
Change starts with dialogue.
The Social Gastronomy Universal Table unites stakeholders from across the food system to discuss critical issues around the dinner table.
The purpose of this dialogue is to embrace possibility, diversity of perspectives, and to welcome dissent to the conversation.
The conversation culmination of a series of community discussions around food, resilient communities, and the intersection of:
1. Climate 2. Conflict 3. COVID 4. Cost
Local Gatherings
From Global to Local and everything in between
This year, we’re returning to community- in person, connected around physical tables, getting our hands in the soil, and cooking in solidarity.
Members, friends, and partners of SGM will be convening dialogues with local Universal Tables, taking action through the #UniversalPlate, and holding gatherings around topics that are most critical to local food systems transformation.
See what’s in the works with our members:
- Nepal Food Fair & Summit 2022
If you are interested in convening a local activity, please fill out our brief activity form.
Spread the Word!
Frequently Asked Questions
+ The Summit for the past two years has taken place on World Food Day (Oct 16); why do I see it in September this year?
This year the Summit is a six-week experience with a mix of local action, dialogue, and virtual events.
We’ve decided to officially kick off this year’s Summit on September 1, 2022, this year to give more attention to the #UniversalPlate Campaign during Hunger Action Month. This campaign has been the heart of the Summit for the past two years and will continue to be an impactful expression of solidarity worldwide.
That said, we will still amplify and gather around World Food Day with storytelling and celebration. We also will celebrate the official Social Gastronomy Day on October 1.
+ I see other SGM members bringing Summit activities to their local communities? What can I do to organize locally?
We encourage everyone interested in bringing their communities together around social gastronomy and food systems transformation to take action or convene dialogues locally. Cooking and sharing meals as part of the #UniversalPlate or hosting a local Universal Table are just two ways to get involved. Some members are even hosting a mix of local activities, cooking together during the day, sharing meals with those engaged, and facilitating dialogue around urgent local challenges.
+ What is the Universal Series, and why is it called that?
At its basic level, our Summit is meant to bring people together around the transformation of food systems. Food unites us despite where we live, what our experience has been, what our job is, or how much power we hold. Food is a universal language. For that reason, our activities that engage people in collective action, solidarity, and collaboration are branded as the Universal Series.
+ Who can participate?
The entire SGM community and anyone who recognizes how practices, policies, and behaviors related to how we grow, distribute, prepare, and consume food can significantly impact the health and well-being of people and planet!
+ I want to host a #UniversalPlate action this year but don’t know where to start. What should I do?
We are here to help! There are a few things you can do:
- Check out the 2022 #UniversalPlate toolkits on our Trello Board
- Attend a Pre-Summit Workshop on July 29, August 4, OR August 11 to learn with the community and better understand toolkits and support from the SGM Backbone team.
- Reach out to communications@socialgastronomy.org with any questions, and we can set up a call to help you.
- Visit our Instagram page to get inspired by past #UniversalPlate actions.
Previous Summit hosts, Conveners, & Table Guests
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