Massimo Bottura nominato Ambasciatore delle Nazioni Unite

Massimo Bottura con Charlie e i ragazzi del Tortellante

di Albert Sapere

La notizia è di oggi (e ci riempie immensamente di gioia!), Massimo Bottura chef e patron dell’Osteria Francescana di Modena, è stato nominato Ambasciatore delle Nazioni Unite.

Il Programma delle Nazioni Unite per l’ambiente (UNEP) ha nominato Massimo Bottura Ambasciatore. in occasione della – Giornata Internazionale dello Spreco Alimentare – “Se riusciamo a utilizzare tutti gli ingredienti al massimo potenziale, ridurremo la quantità di rifiuti che stiamo creando e faremo acquisti in modo più efficiente”. Le dichiarazioni di Massimo nel comunicato ufficiale. L’UNEP è la principale voce globale sull’ambiente. Fornisce leadership e incoraggia la collaborazione nella cura dell’ambiente ispirando, informando e consentendo alle nazioni e ai popoli di migliorare la loro qualità di vita senza compromettere quella delle generazioni future.

“Ho avuto la fortuna di vivere la vita che avevo sempre sognato probabilmente perchè ho deciso di fare ciô che amavo. C’è stato un momento nel quale ho realizzato che il cuoco dovesse fare un passo indietro perchè la rivoluzione tecnica era sufficientemente compiuta da non meritare ulteriore concentrazione di energie, e attraverso la cultura dovesse rappresentare qualcosa in piû della somma delle sue ricette”.  – dichiara Bottura – “Dopo aver ricevuto tanto forse tutto dalla vita ho sentito il bisogno di restituire Di condividere col mondo la mia visione del significati di ‘Nutrire di Pianeta’ È nato cosî Food for Soul, strumento col quale siamo in prima linea nella lotta allo spreco alimentare e all’isolamento sociale, è nato il Tortellante, col quale anziani e ragazzi diversamente abili trovano il loro posto da protagonisti nella società, ed è nato Kitchen Quarantine dove ogni sera, per 75 serate abbiamo condiviso senza filtri, la nostra vita familiare, Ogni sera isolati nel nostro appartamento condividevamo col mondo gioia e i valori piû profondi della cucina , mentre i volontari dei nostri refettori preparavano migliaia di pasti al giorno per i piû fragili. Penso che oggi il Mondo abbia compreso il valore di questa Rivoluzione Umanistica che sono sicuro unirà le menti e le anime piû sensibili del Pianeta.”

“Ringrazio le Nazioni Unite per questa incredibile opportunità e farò di tutto per continuare su questa strada perchè come diceva J. Beuys La Rivoluzione siamo Noi”  – Le conclusioni di Massimo Bottura. 

Il testo integrale del comunicato inviato dall’ufficio delle Nazioni Unite

UNEP appoints renowned Italian chef and food system activist Massimo Bottura as Goodwill Ambassador

New York/Nairobi, 29 September 2020 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today appointed renowned Italian chef Massimo Bottura as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, in a move designed to step up the fight against the global problem of food waste and loss.

Bottura is chef patron of the three-Michelin-star restaurant, Osteria Francescana in Modena, and has been recognized as a social entrepreneur for his commitment to the fight against food waste and social isolation, which is one of the main goals of the non-profit organization he founded with his wife Lara Gilmore, Food for Soul. During the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, his family produced an online cooking show called Kitchen Quarantine, which encouraged people to see the invisible potential in every ingredient, an invitation to enjoy the unexpected beauty in daily life.

His appointment, on the inaugural International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, is expected to catalyze action on an issue that not only sees food wasted in a world where over 800 million people go hungry every year, but contributes to the climate and biodiversity crises. “If we can use all of the ingredients to the fullest potential, we will reduce the amount of waste we are creating and shop more efficiently,” Bottura added. “In my role as UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, I will fight to reduce this global shame.”

He noted that we all must start asking and understanding where our food comes from, taking action to preserve food memories and techniques that can help us innovate for the future and take care not to repeat practices and consumption behaviors that have caused the challenges in our food system today. He adds that the act of cooking – as well as that of feeding oneself – must become an ethical choice, not just a question of taste. An estimated one-third of all food produced – about 1.3 billion tonnes – is wasted or lost each year. About 14 per cent (of food global and as much as 40% in some markets) spoils before it even reaches retailers, as a result of market connection problems and lack of sustainable cold chains – the refrigeration systems that keep food fresh after harvest and in transit.

Food loss and waste generates eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting it back is one of the most effective ways through which individuals, businesses and governments can reduce their climate impact. The production of food that ends in waste requires land larger than the surface area of China and India combined, and water resources three times greater than the volume of Lake Geneva. The unnecessary use of these resources has immense negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. “There is no room for food loss and waste, especially as millions across the world go hungry,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “The pandemic is a wake-up call reminding us of the urgent need to transform our relationship with nature, and in particular, rethink the way we produce and consume food. I am delighted that Massimo Bottura, who is already making a difference through his Refettorios, is joining forces with UNEP to help bring real change.”

Reducing food waste is a priority for Food for Soul, with its Refettorio projects around the world. From Milan, to Rio de Janeiro, Mexico and Paris, Food for Soul has saved over 125 tonnes, 175K pounds of imperfect food surplus from landfill, transforming ingredients into over a half million nourishing meals for those experiencing social isolation and vulnerability.  Bottura wants to inspire further action on food waste across society by showing the value of food, its connection to culture, emotion and innovation. The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is a day to expand our consciousness and understanding of food loss and waste, by taking action with simple steps in cooking, preparing and storing that will not only make a difference in our homes but across our communities. We can all be part of the solution for a more sustainable future and must remember our social responsibility to both the planet and humanity.

In addition to helping countries and companies measure and reduce food waste, and promoting behaviour change for sustainable food consumption, UNEP supports farmers and rural communities thanks to initiatives like the African Centre of Excellence for sustainable cooling and cold chain in Rwanda. Food waste will also be one of the key priority areas of the 2021 UN Secretary-General António Guterres a Food Systems Summit.

Collaborating with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, we can multiply our contribution and have a greater impact. Massimo Bottura’s Goodwill Ambassadorship is intended to send a message to inspire a change of mindset that starts at home, in our kitchens.

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.