The Cabildo Insular de La Palma, through the public company Sodepal, has celebrated the positive results obtained in the first edition of the gastronomic festival "Saborea La Palma Me Sabe", which took place from 8 to 10 November in Fuencaliente. The initiative, which was judged a success by producers, restaurateurs and attendees, stood out both for its organisation and for its firm commitment to sustainability.
According to the participant surveys, aspects such as the location of the stands, the economic benefits and image obtained, and the overall organisation of the event were highly rated. A large percentage of respondents expressed their intention to participate in future editions, with the majority answering "definitely yes" and the rest "probably yes". In addition, the organisation was overwhelmingly rated as "excellent".
However, areas for improvement were identified, such as the attendance of the public at certain times, which in some cases did not meet expectations due to the high temperatures during the days of the event. Nevertheless, several participants indicated that the flow of visitors was in line with or even exceeded their initial estimates.
The Councillor for Economic Promotion, Miriam Perestelo, stressed that this festival "is here to stay" and highlighted the quality of local products and the talent of the island's chefs and cooks. "This event has demonstrated the excellence of La Palma's gourmet products and the high level of our gastronomy. Now, we must continue working to consolidate this event", said Perestelo.
In addition, the councillor stressed the importance of listening to the suggestions of the participants in order to improve future editions. Among the proposals gathered were adjustments to the timetable, a possible relocation of the event and the incorporation of complementary activities, such as a closing concert. "The general satisfaction is very high, but we must not be satisfied. This first step is just the beginning of something much bigger," he added.
A festival committed to sustainability
One of the pillars of Saborea La Palma Me Sabe was its commitment to care for the environment. During the event, measures were implemented such as the use of compostable materials in the food areas, the sale of reusable packaging and a rigorous control of food waste. Selective waste separation was also carried out, ensuring adequate traceability to the corresponding treatment plants: island composting, recycling of packaging at Los Morenos, paper and cardboard recovery at Martínez Cano, and the deposit of glass through ECOVIDRIO.
These sustainable actions were possible thanks to the collaboration between institutions, the active involvement of the participating companies and the public. In addition, a company specialised in sustainability was contracted to guarantee the fulfilment of these objectives, thus strengthening the festival's environmental commitment.
With a highly positive balance, "Saborea La Palma Me Sabe" has positioned itself as a benchmark in the promotion of local gastronomy and sustainable development, laying the foundations to become an essential annual event on the island's calendar.