Soroptimist International Costa del Sol presented its first ‘Nourish your Optimism’ awards on Tuesday 7th. It seeks to recognise “sustainable, inclusive and resilient” food systems, according to the group, and organic food, local products, training on sustainable food and ways to avoid food waste.
The Malaga Provincial Council’s social innovation centre ‘La Noria’ hosted the presentation of these awards. Soroptimist also supports the United Nations programme that promotes fruit and vegetables, and inequalities in food systems. According to Soroptimist President Daphne Theunissen, “We want to promote sustainability, which is very important nowadays. We have noticed this during and after the pandemic. 
In 2021 Soroptimist International Costa del Sol joined the initiative by creating food talks in Mijas, Malaga and Seville to raise awareness of the local food system. Projects in this area included the creation of a recycled Christmas tree as well as the setting up of a traditional vegetable garden workshop. According to Theunissen, “with this award, we are celebrating and recognising the organisations and companies that are setting an example in this area for everyone”.

Award winners
Following this work, the organisation created the Soroptimist Nourish Your Optimism Award in six categories. Firstly, the Cultivation and food distribution, went to the association Guadalhorce Ecológico. The prize for Food Production went to the cheese dairy ‘La Hortelana’. In the category of Education, the work of the association ‘La Alegría de la Huerta’ was recognised. According to the head of the association, Antonia Núñez, “the award has taken me by surprise, and I am happy. It is not only my cause is the cause of many farmers and people in the countryside. We must understand that we cannot fight against Mother Nature, she has one rhythm, and we have another. It is what I teach the people who come to the orchard. 
In the field of awareness-raising, the prize went to the MiMoana association. One of its co-founders, Nikky Wegloop, said “this is our first reward, our first award.  We have been doing this for three years, and it’s exciting to receive something like this. 
In the Innovation and Technology category, the winner was the company ‘Rey de Abastos’ and, finally, in the category of restaurant promoting local organic food and drink, the prize went to the organic tapas-Bar, ‘Astrid’ 
The jury for this award was made up of representatives from Justicia Alimentaria, Cruz Roja Málaga, Aula del Mar, Sabor a Málaga and Soroptimist representatives. The Environment Councillor of Mijas Town Council, Arancha López (Cs), wanted to be present at the event and support the project, “I am happy about this Soroptimist initiative. We are present to support the NGO that aims to promote sustainability, and to have good sustainable daily habits in our food and other purchases. I am pleased because two of these six first prizes have gone to Mijas associations that are very involved with the environment and the natural environment,” said the Mijas Councillor.

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