Gastro Turopolje event focuses on gastronomy and sustainability

During the 25th anniversary of the Gastro Turopolje event in Velika Gorica, a public discussion titled ‘Local on the Table, Responsible to the Environment’ addressed the intersection of gastronomy, regional identity, and environmental sustainability.

Participants emphasized that local gastronomy serves as a vital tool for branding the Turopolje region and Zagreb County. The goal is to transform food from a simple product into a narrative about the people, traditions, and lifestyle of the area, encouraging visitors to explore local producers and restaurants beyond the event itself.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on making large-scale manifestations more environmentally responsible. Experts suggested that sustainability can be achieved through practical, low-cost measures such as reducing single-use packaging, improving waste separation, better communication with exhibitors, and more accurate food quantity planning to minimize waste.