US Embassy, EHTL Highlight Food Security Initiatives at Thanksgiving Lunch

On Wednesday 15 November 2023, the US Embassy in Luxembourg hosted a Thanksgiving lunch in collaboration with the École d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme du Luxembourg (EHTL) in the latter’s restaurant in Luxembourg-Ville.

The US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Thomas Barrett, thanked the students from the Luxembourg school of hospitality and tourism for their contribution to the event and discussed its significance. He joked that, in the US, Thanksgiving means “you eat as much food as you possibly can”. The holiday brings people together to watch football and it is the “worst day of the year to talk about politics”.

Despite the light-hearted introduction, the Ambassador noted that the US Embassy in Luxembourg wanted to organise a day to thank associations that play an important role in food-related endeavours, whether agriculture, food security or promotion. “We are seeing food being weaponised, in particular with Russia’s invasion in Ukraine,” he said, referring to the cutting off of the food supply and the “devastating impact” this has had, pushing countries short on food towards famine.  

The US Ambassador also referred to projections of 25-27 years from now, and the expectation of an approximate 50% increase in the demand for food production in the world, in particular in Africa. Droughts and climate-related events are expected to particularly complicate the situation, putting more pressure on farmers, food distributors and other related professionals. He noted that this event was organised in order to thank and celebrate Luxembourg-based organisations active in the area of food security, related to advancing policy, civil society and businesses.

Multiple government-related and non-governmental association representatives were invited, such as the Young Farmers Association, the Oikopolis Foundation Luxembourg and Vereenegung fir Biolandwirtschaft Lëtzebuerg Asbl, among others.

The lunch itself, cooked under the supervision of American chef Cathleen Clarity, was a traditional Thanksgiving meal that was adapted to include local produce: turkey roast with gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce, sweet potato gratin and green beans for the main course, followed by pumpkin and pecan pie for dessert.