Last week, from the 15th to the 21st of March, our school had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ food project in Madrid. This week was filled with learning, cultural exchange, and a deep dive into the world of food sustainability.
The international guests from Germany/France, Portugal, and Croatia arrived over the weekend, and after settling in, were ready to embark on a week of activities and discovery.
The week kicked off with lessons at Zola School, followed by a warm welcome reception and breakfast. We started our sustainability journey with icebreaker activities and an introduction to « Too Good To Go », a fantastic tool for reducing food waste.
Giving Back to the Community
Our students then discovered the charity programme developed by Mr Jaime Rincon, who runs the restaurant Casa de comidas Carmela. For every meal sold, 3€ are directly donated to Los Chicos de Jose y Leo, a charity that provides school meals to children from deprived families. Our group helped packed food at the restaurant and bonded with the children at the canteen, a warm and unforgettable experience. On the next day, still focusing on the theme Food and Poverty, we attended a conference about food banks to provide valuabe insights into global food challenges.
Exploring Madrid’s Food Culture
We then ventured into Madrid to explore its sights and modern food markets. This hands-on experience allowed us to appreciate the diversity and richness of Madrid’s food culture.
A Journey to Segovia
Thursday took us to the charming city of Segovia, where we visited a small local, traditional market. This excursion also provided us with the opportunity to discover this quaint little city an hour away from Madrid.
Farewells and Gratitude
On Saturday, we bid farewell to our international friends. We’re grateful for the support and enthusiasm of all the families and community members who made this week possible. Our week in Madrid showed how great it is when people from different countries in Europe collaborate on values that matter to us all.
This Erasmus mobilty on the theme of food was the last leg of the journey for this project but we hope to revive it next year.