A giant paella was organized this Wednesday, October 16 in the premises of the food distribution association, Richelieu district in the heart of the city. Despite the gloomy weather, the delicious recipe concocted by the volunteers combined with their good humor and the gypsy music gave this day a festive feel.
Despite the weather conditions, World Food Day was celebrated as it should be, this Wednesday, October 16, by the Nîmes association for food distribution and provision of meals to the most deprived Open Table. For the very first time, the fertilizer producing company Haifa, established in particular in Lunel-Viel, sponsored an event organized by this association established in the heart of the working-class district of Richelieu since 1990.
“Haifa wanted this year, and for the first time, to extend its sponsorship operations beyond the agricultural sector. As fertilizers contribute in their own way to the fight against hunger in the world, it seemed obvious to us to support an association with the image of Open Table, which works with the most deprived to provide meals and food aid”explains Nicolas Tinetti, general director of Haifa France, present this Wednesday at the premises of the Nîmes association.
150 people
From 8 a.m., there was excitement among the volunteers, busy preparing a giant paella for 150 people: the people accompanied by Open Table, of course, as well as all the others, for whom they paid a modest contribution. of 5 euros.
Came with two empty jars, “as per usual”, she specifies, Priscilla Bertin, 47 years old, who lives alone with her son in Richelieu appreciates the initiative. “It smells good, it’s warm and it’s cheap, so of course it’s nice!”explains the isolated mother with bright blue eyes, who came that morning to collect two pieces of paella, one for herself, the other for her boy.
“This kind of initiative touches us!”
To the gipsy sound of Cyril’s guitar (maintenance manager at Haifa and that day’s ambiancer for a day, Editor’s note) the beneficiaries of Open Table joined together during the morning to collect their meal of the day with such a unique flavor. “Of course corporate initiatives so far from our world affect us!”confides David (not his real name) who preferred to enjoy his portion of paella on site in the warm patio of Open Table, where he likes to come every morning to drink a coffee and spend a while.
Around 1 p.m., volunteers from the association and Haifa employees who participated in the distribution shared a meal together. While Fatiha Saffaf, a homeless person from the neighborhood who came to get two slices, thanked them all. Before calling out to them with “Quickly, it’s going to cool down!” then disappear, to go and enjoy his hot meal of the day somewhere, perhaps with one of his five children.
