To raise awareness and combat the issue of food waste at events in a festive and friendly atmosphere. That is the mission of Disco Soup. Martinique2030.com wanted to know more about what it’s all about. A conversation with Agathe, a member and, for the occasion, spokesperson for all the merrymakers in the association Disco Soup Martinique.
Where did the idea for a Disco Soup ?
Basically, Disco Soup is an organization that was founded in Paris, France, in 2012. Subsequently, branches were established in Marseille, Nantes, and other cities, and it has grown significantly. Today, it is an international organization that operates all over the world. There have been a great many Disco Soup in many places, with some countries standing out, such as China and Kenya.
What about Martinique?
In Martinique, it was introduced because several of us wanted to get it off the ground. The first Disco Soup It was in November 2014 as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). We had a lot of people from all walks of life. It was really great!
What are your goals?
The goal is to organize public events where everyone is invited to come and peel unsold fruits and vegetables—those that are less visually appealing. We collect them, wash them, peel them, prepare them, and of course, eat them. The goal is to show that just because a banana is a little spotted doesn’t mean it’s no longer good. Everything can be transformed. There are the «Disco-mmandments,» which sum up our values and goals very well.
It could be said that you raise awareness by setting an example…
Of course, we do a lot to raise awareness at our events. First, by setting a concrete example—that is, by collecting food—but we also raise awareness by sharing key statistics. The most interesting thing is that’Today, one-third of global food production is thrown away, and theoretically, this food could feed everyone if we changed our food and consumption systems. It must be said that food waste is something that affects everyone, regardless of social background, gender, or culture. Some people aren’t too keen on eating leftovers from the night before, but we need to consider the energy, labor, and resources that went into producing that food.
How do people react at your events?
People often know the tips. It’s just that sometimes, they need a little reminder. There’s a cultural factor that’s hard to overcome. For example, here in Martinique, many people believe that anything that falls from a tree is no longer edible, even though a good wash is often all it takes.
Are there a lot of participants?
People come to our events. Like any awareness-raising event, at first it’s only people who are already aware of the cause. We always try to join in with various existing events so we can reach a different audience each time. Generally, it’s an organization that’s already established in a given area, and we partner with it to benefit from its reputation. The organizations we partner with are usually groups that share our vision.
Where do you buy your fruits and vegetables?
We mainly collect produce at the end of market days. Obviously, we adjust based on where we’re going; we won’t collect in Fort-de-France if the event is in Rivière-Pilote. We try to remain consistent in terms of sustainability and transportation. We also go to private homes. For example, if people have a fruit tree that’s bending under the weight of the fruit, and if we have permission, we’ll stop by their home to pick some up. We’ve tried working with supermarkets, but that didn’t work out for various reasons.
What are you cooking?
We go with the seasons and whatever ingredients are available. We make soups, salads, smoothies, juices, and so on. We’re very open-minded, and the idea is for everyone to bring their own recipes. We’re lucky to have some «discopains» who are absolute whizs in the kitchen.
How many members are there in the Disco Soup Martinique ?
Officially, there are eight of us, and we’re all volunteers. Often, friends come by to lend a hand when they have time. Our friends have also been very involved in the project.
Interview by Mariska Desmarquis
Website: http://discosoupe.org/
Email: discosoupe.madinina@gmail.com
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