ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Dear Friends,
Having navigated through yet another year of the pandemic, with hardship in local communities worldwide, unpredictability, human disconnect, and social distancing, it became ever more evident to me that no one thing or person thrives in isolation. We must embrace our interconnectivity and interdependence. Entering 2022, I, more than ever before, believe that impact networks and movements such as the Social Gastronomy Movement (SGM) are going to pave the way forward.
My Story
We live in a pinnacle historical moment where the need for international coalitions and collaborations, a shift in the way we work together, and a restructuring of the global food system are critical.
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As a cross-food cycle community, SGM is the ideal structure for our complex food system, providing a pathway to engage across geographies and sectors to do more together! Our dialogues, gatherings, and collective action campaigns like the #UniversalPlate, are just a few examples of what is possible when we combine efforts.
SGM exists to connect organizations and people working toward food systems transformation by spotlighting grassroots initiatives, mobilizing local action, and facilitating knowledge sharing.
It is the mechanism by which all our members can collaborate, build trust, and enter into relationships under the common goal of a more just and equitable food system.
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The network is just as strong as the relationships that hold all of us together.
By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, we enhance our collective and individual capacities. As a global network working to address problems as big as hunger and immense social inequality, our work is rooted in shifting mindsets and facilitating collaboration.
What differentiates the SGM from many other organizations is that we are a global network of individuals having a direct impact on the ground. By weaving these actors together, we can create a ripple effect across the globe. This year, we saw glimpses of the possibility for innovating and addressing challenges in real-time through an emergent and experimental strategy.
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I am grateful for this team, our community, and our partners for supporting SGM and sharing in our spirit. Because of all of you, I am hopeful for all that will emerge in 2022 as we continue to step into our collective power with intentionality and the audacity to imagine a future distinct from the past.
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With love,
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Nicola Gryzcka, CEO
