During Refugee Week, Friends of the Earth Malta organised a special community event in its community garden in Floriana, titled “Flavours Without Borders”. The evening brought together more than thirty participants from diverse backgrounds to share a warm and convivial moment of culture, exchange and solidarity through food.

The event took the form of a sunset potluck dinner, where everyone contributed dishes and shared meals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome people from many different horizons and to highlight how food can act as a universal language, connecting communities across cultures, stories and experiences.

As part of the evening, Friends of the Earth Malta also presented  Food Connect, its new app designed to fight food waste. The platform allows restaurants and food businesses to upload surplus food they wish to donate. Once a donation is posted, anyone using the app can claim it and collect the food for free, helping to reduce waste while supporting people in the community. This app is now available! Participants were also able to view the 3 compost bins operating in the garden.

A key highlight of the evening was a participatory workshop facilitated by Giulia Dalmonte, titled “Roots & Recipes – Food, Plants, and the Memories They Carry”. The workshop invited participants to explore the deep connections between plants, food traditions, memory, and cultural identity. After a short introduction to ethnobotany and a guided walk through the FoE garden, participants engaged in interactive sensory and storytelling activities, reflecting on how herbs, spices, and ingredients are deeply rooted in personal and collective histories.

The workshop also featured sensory stations that encouraged participants to explore smells, textures and memories, helping bring out personal stories and cultural connections linked to food and nature in a playful and engaging way.

Overall, “Flavours without Borders” was a joyful and meaningful evening that celebrated diversity, sustainability, while encouraging sharing, and strengthening community bonds through food. It also reminded everyone of the importance of more sustainable food systems and the power of collective action to create positive change.