We’ve all been witness to the devastation Covid has brought to Bali’s economy.  This food festival is not only timely but also shows how resilient our hospitality friends in Bali really are.  “Through the efforts of each hotel this festival is about reaching out to the entire community in Bali which has been so badly effected by this pandemic.

 

“The festival allows participating member hotels to showcase the innovative work they have been putting in during these times to shift to a more sustainable way of operating. We all know that many Bali hotels have already greatly reduced their use of single use plastic, but the food festival goes a step further. Member hotels have been asked to prepare reasonably priced two-course lunch menus and three-course dinner menus. To be included in the festival, menus must adhere to the following key sustainability criteria:

 

• Ingredients used must be 100% sourced from Indonesia

• Encourage: a minimum of 75% organically grown items, respect fair trade principles, and female run enterprises.

• All seafood must to be certified sustainable and poultry to be free range

 

The festival also aims at reducing waste output to as close to zero as possible, by encouraging waste reduction activities such as composting and waste separation to facilitate recycling. These initiatives are intended to set a benchmark for the future, by being implemented across all operational areas beyond the festival period. Menus start from IDR 200.000 for lunch and go up to Rp350.000 for dinner. With Dine in and Take Out options available at some venues.

 

Member hotels are also encouraged to contribute and support their local communities by organizing special events and workshops around the sustainability theme and assuring that the local farmers and other suppliers receive a fair price in return. This event also focuses on delivering organically grown produce to protect the biodiversity of both plants and animals on the island.

 

“It’s truly encouraging to see our member hotels signing up to share the best practices they have had in place in the past. Our sector is going to recover and restart in a new, more sustainable manner and we are hopeful that these types of initiatives will help raise public awareness and showcase what actions have been taken to adapt and progress during these challenging times.” said Jean Heliere, Chairperson BHA.

 

For those in Bali, I encourage you to eat out and try these menus from the Bali Hotels Association’s Sustainable Food Festival. Let’s do our part to help bring Bali back.