How to make local gastronomy even greener

In many walks of life, we increasingly come across the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. But what do these concepts mean? If a system is unsustainable, it will – inevitably – collapse within a short time. In other words: if we use up everything we have today, we will probably have nothing left tomorrow. Sustainable development, by contrast, means long-term growth and does not ignore its impact on the economy, society and the environment. Simple, isn’t it? However, to take the first steps towards sustainability at local and global level, it is advisable to navigate the information noise with a critical eye.

According to Judit Vighné Boóc, sustainable catering expert of Felelős Gasztrohős (‘Responsible Gastro-hero’), transparency should be one of the first and most important steps in gastronomy. If people had access to the right information, it would be much easier for them to make responsible choices. But this sector is also overloaded with information, and people like simple answers.

– the expert says.

It is no wonder that the consumer can get very confused and just waves his hands. Fortunately, there are some global truths, according to Judit Boóc. Excessive consumption of meat and dairy products, for example, is one of the biggest global problems standing in the way of sustainability.

For some people, it is easy to eliminate animal products from their diet, which is a huge step towards sustainability. But some people can only have one meat-free day a week – that’s OK, too! The most important thing would be to recognise what we ourselves can do to achieve sustainability.

Not only more and more households, but also more and more catering establishments and organisations are working to reduce their own ecological footprint. A clear example of this is that in 2022, for the first time, two rural restaurants in Hungary were awarded a Green Michelin star. The Almalomb in Hosszúhetény and the Graefl Major Kétútköz in Poroszló also received the award. This success is just the “tip of the iceberg”, as more than 150 restaurants have been awarded the Sustainable Restaurant/Café label during the lifetime of the Responsible Gastro-hero Foundation. Among other things, these establishments save water and energy, collect waste selectively, buy from local producers, incorporate vegetarian or vegan dishes into their menus, or use fast-degradable cleaning products and packaging materials. In recent years, unfortunately, the coronavirus epidemic has reduced the number of these restaurants, but the trend is clear. Like consumers, the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés) is increasingly concerned about sustainability, too.

It is becoming more and more fashionable to do something for the environment, but it is even more important to be critical, as this is a trend that is often ridden by advertising professionals. Empty promises, fake brands, in-house created ratings: all designed to mislead bona fide consumers. We come back to the issue of transparency, to which Judit Boóc adds: “Always give preference to local producers and look for those who perform organic farming. If you don’t have the time and energy to find these resources, feel free to turn to your local basket communities to do it for you. If you are shopping on the shelves, look for labels that are checked by independent organisations. On our website, we have an area where we collect the brands and eco-labels that we believe are trustworthy.”

– says the expert.

We have distanced ourselves from nature, and it shows in our way of life. We should go back to our roots a little, rediscover the potential of seasonality, learn to conserve and appreciate the treasures of terroir. The only question is: can we do it in time?