FAO Partners with International Academy of Gastronomy

11 February 2013, Rome – FAO and the International Academy of Gastronomy (AIG) will combine their strengths to combat hunger and poverty, with particular emphasis on food price volatility, the promotion of sustainable food consumption, the conservation of biodiversity and the revalorization of neglected crops.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect with AIG, a non-profit organization that aims to safeguard and develop regional and national cultures and their culinary heritage.

The two parties will establish channels of communication that will facilitate the identification of opportunities to jointly promote the study and the dissemination of knowledge regarding food, including best practices in the fields of nutrition and gastronomy, with the goal of achieving sustainable food and nutrition security and to bring an end to hunger and poverty in the world.

The two partners will do this using their respective comparative advantages and accumulated experience, including synergies with other partners, such as international organizations, the private sector and civil society. FAO and AIG will work together to create educational programmes and to support awareness raising on food and nutrition, including through cooking demonstrations and tastings.

The joint activities and awareness-raising will target key events and dates throughout the year, such as World Food Day every October.