Alicante Gastronomic Solidarity Distributes 140,000 Hot Meals Since the Start of the DANA

Cámara Solidaria-Alicante Gastronomic Solidarity (AGS) has distributed a total of 140,000 hot meals in the province of Valencia to those affected and volunteers since the onset of the DANA. The preparation, cooking, packaging, and distribution of these hot dishes have been made possible thanks to volunteers known as #HéroesConDelantal who have filled the facilities of AG Solidaria. A #MareaSolidaria arriving from all corners of the province and parts of Spain, which since November 1st has grown to over 5,000 volunteers. The solidarity kitchens of AGS have been able to cook these hot meals thanks to the collaboration of nearly 200 companies that have donated all the raw materials.

These hot meals have reached the province of Valencia thanks to the 160 distributions carried out by volunteers from the kitchens of AG Solidaria to 16 municipalities affected by the DANA, in coordination with the Generalitat Valencia, specifically with the vice-presidency and the Ministry of Social Services led by Susana Camarero: Alaquás, Albal, Aldaia, Alfafar, Algemesí, Alcúdia, Benetússer, Catarroja, Llocnou de la Corona, Massanassa, Paiporta, Picanya, Sedaví, Silla, Torrent, and Turís. These distributions are also made in collaboration with the Gastrónoma fair in Valencia to deliver directly, hand to hand, to those affected in their own homes. The hot rations are distributed along with fruit, water, nuts, sweets, and hygiene and cleaning products.

The director of AG Solidaria, Gema Amor, highlighted "the massive response from the province of Alicante with solidarity has become a solidarity wave with a big heart from so many people and companies. We started on November 1st with food assistance to all those affected by the DANA in all those areas where, in coordination with the Generalitat Valenciana, we have been able to reach along with the Gastrónoma Fair to be able to make a hand-to-hand delivery, face to face, to those affected." Therefore, Gema Amor has thanked the volunteers "who are giving their all" and has valued "that response from the people of Alicante who are giving with all their heart."

The heart-driven kitchens of AG Solidaria are collaborating throughout this week with a group of 12 chefs who have arrived from various parts of Andalusia through Eurotoques, an international association of chefs that includes more than 3,500 chefs from 18 European countries, and 15 students from the culinary degree at the Integrated Vocational Training Centre Canastell in San Vicente de Raspeig. Additionally, since the start of the DANA, chefs from Alicante, such as Ginés Lorente from the Meliá Hotel in Alicante; Dani Frías from La Ereta; Paco Cano and Esperanza Figueria from Xato; Ferdinando Bernardi from Casa Bernardi; Raquel Perramón from Infraganti Pizza; Francisco López from Carmencita, as well as various members of Women in Gastronomy, have passed through the kitchens of this blessed madness to contribute their grain of solidarity, all under the coordination of AG Solidaria's head chef, Joshep Arauz. Amor noted that "the collaboration of all of them is entirely altruistic."