June 18 marks Sustainable Gastronomy Day, but the movement it celebrates — environmentally conscious eating — is something we can all practice every day. Whether you’re an avid foodie, a sustainability advocate, or simply looking to make better choices for your health and the planet, sustainable gastronomy offers a delicious path forward.
What Is Sustainable Gastronomy?
Sustainable gastronomy is about more than organic produce or plant-based trends. It emphasizes how food is grown, prepared, and consumed in ways that:
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Minimize environmental impact
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Support local economies
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Honor cultural traditions and biodiversity
The United Nations established Sustainable Gastronomy Day to raise awareness of these connections, encouraging consumers and businesses alike to rethink their approach to food.
1. Eat More Plant-Forward Meals
One of the most effective ways to support sustainable gastronomy is by shifting toward a plant-forward diet. This doesn’t mean going fully vegan or vegetarian — it’s about making plants the centerpiece of your plate and treating animal products as a complement.
Easy ways to start:
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Explore meatless Mondays with recipes like lentil stews, roasted cauliflower tacos, or mushroom risottos.
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Swap dairy milk for oat, almond, or soy in your coffee and baking.
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Try local, seasonal produce to cut down on emissions from long-distance transport.
2. Support Local and Seasonal Foods
Eating local and in-season isn’t just fresher — it’s better for the planet. Food that travels fewer miles uses less energy for refrigeration and transportation, and often requires fewer preservatives.
Tips to go local:
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Visit your nearest farmers market.
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Join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.
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Ask restaurants where their ingredients are sourced.
3. Learn Food Preservation Techniques
Sustainable gastronomy also means wasting less. Food preservation methods like pickling, fermenting, drying, or freezing can extend the life of your ingredients and add depth to your cooking.
Try at home:
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Ferment cabbage into kimchi or sauerkraut.
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Pickle radishes, cucumbers, or even watermelon rind.
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Preserve herbs in oil and freeze them in ice cube trays.
4. Dine at Eco-Conscious Restaurants
Many restaurants now focus on sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and ethical labor practices. When dining out, choose establishments that:
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Use local and organic ingredients
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Minimize single-use plastics
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Compost or donate food waste
Look for certifications like Green Restaurant Association approval or check their sustainability statement on the menu or website.
5. Reduce Food Waste at Home
Roughly one-third of food produced globally is wasted. Combat this by:
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Meal planning and shopping with a list
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Using leftovers creatively
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Storing food properly (e.g., using airtight containers or breathable produce bags)
Why It Matters
From greenhouse gas emissions to biodiversity loss, our food choices have far-reaching impacts. Sustainable gastronomy is a way to nourish ourselves while respecting the earth, its resources, and the communities that grow our food.
“Food is not just fuel — it’s a force that can heal ecosystems, economies, and cultures,” says Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank, a think tank focused on food system sustainability.
Start Small, Think Big
Celebrating Sustainable Gastronomy Day can be as simple as trying a new recipe or buying produce from a nearby farm. These small, joyful acts can spark bigger shifts — in your kitchen and beyond.
