Good food for everyone

In my previous blogs, I explained a number of priorities of the City of Ghent’s food strategy. “Ghent en garde” focuses on a short and sustainable food chain and on the availability of sustainable food products for everyone.   

Under the motto “zero waste”, the City actively combats food waste. Have you ever been in a situation where your eyes have been bigger than your stomach?  It happens to everyone once in a while: you order too much and then you have to send a half empty plate back to the kitchen. Embarrassing, isn’t it? If this happens during your city break in Ghent, don’t worry. In Ghent, it is the most normal thing to ask for a Restorestje (leftover box) in which you can take your leftovers.

The Restorestje is not the only initiative taken in Ghent to combat food waste.  Another great initiative is the installation of so-called rescue vending machines in the city.   These are actual vending machines where people can buy surplus food at very low prices.  The machines mostly contain bread and pastries - the kind of food that most often goes to waste otherwise - but in principle, they can be used to sell any number of other things.  Several such vending machines have been installed at various locations in and around the city centre.  If you happen to walk past one of them, be sure to stop and take a look at the items offered. They are available to anyone who wants to buy them.   

We are aware of the fact that for some people, it’s not easy to buy high-quality food. That’s why the City of Ghent is making an effort to make affordable food available for everyone. There are several restaurants in the city that offer those who are financially disadvantaged meals at a reduced rate, for instance the recognised social restaurants (but of course, everyone is welcome). What is special about this type of restaurant is that the kitchen is a sheltered workshop, a protected work environment for people who have difficulties finding a place in the regular labour market.  These people can develop their talents and gain work experience in a stimulating environment.  Not only are customers of social restaurants served tasty, healthy and sustainable food, they can also meet other people and enjoy the convivial atmosphere.

Some restaurants take the initiative themselves to offer a social rate system. One of them is KAROOT, a co-operative eatery in Ghent’s Brugse Poort neighbourhood. Karoot wants to offer a hot meal to everyone who enters its doors. That’s why customers can decide themselves how much they want to pay for the daily special. This way everyone pays what they can afford. Finally, I’m very proud of the system introduced by Enchanté. You will see the likeable logo of this non-profit organisation in quite a number of restaurants, cafés, coffee bars and chip shops in Ghent. This logo means that you can buy a delayed coffee of meal there. It works like this:  on top of your own order, you pay another drink, hot meal, bag of fries etc.  The extra order is not for you, but will be offered for free later to someone who needs it. Helping someone with a small concrete gesture really makes you feel good, doesn’t it?