On 13 November, at the facilities of the Porto School of Hotel Management and Tourism, the Clima Mais Positivo brand was present at the Open Day for Producers, an activity that was part of the implementation of the GrowLIFE project actions. During the initiative, visitors, students and teachers from the school had the opportunity to see a display of organic products – available for purchase – taste some of these products during a special showcooking session, where innovative recipes were presented using ingredients brought by the producers and took part in an open conversation with the producers, students and chef Delfim Soares, who guided the students in cooking the products during the showcooking session.
The conversation focussed on the expectations that exist on the part of producers and restaurant professionals regarding the role of each, both located at the ends of the food production and cooking chain. Being open to new commercial strategies on the part of producers in order to attract restaurant professionals, and the valuing of these last ones among the public. Also discussed were the obstacles to implementing small-scale food chains and the food culture of consumers and most restaurants in urban areas.
The debate was moderated by Manuela Carvalho, from the Business Intelligence Department of Turismo de Portugal, Manuel Semedo, from the Circular Economy office of the Porto Municipality and Claudia Barrera-Salas, Agronomist and Postdoc of the project, who coordinates some of GrowLIFE’s actions.
GrowLife aims to promote environmental sustainability and encourage the consumption of organic products, valuing the work of small producers and encouraging agricultural practices that respect the balance of the ecosystem. The project’s four main activities are: Participatory Visits; Routes to Sustainability; Trainings for Chefs and Producers’ Open Days. More information about GrowLIFE: https://projetogrowlife.pt/