In Memoriam of Maria Calzada
We deeply regret to announce the passing of Maria Calzada on 18 September 2023.
Maria was a remarkable individual who played a pivotal role in the advancement of organic food initiatives in Argentina and Latin America. She will be fondly remembered as the visionary founder of El Rincon Organico, which stood as the pioneering establishment specialising in organic food within Argentina and indeed across Latin America. El Rincon Organico provides an array of services, including the exportation, consultation, and delivery of organic products to both households and the restaurant/hotel industry. Additionally, she founded the NGO Fundación Cocina de la Tierra.
Maria Calzada was not only a creative culinary artist but also a trailblazer in the organic movement. She was a loving mother to Julia Lernoud, who is a member of our World Board, and the beloved wife of Alberto (Pipo) Lernoud, renowned for his organisation of the 1998 IFOAM Scientific Conference in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Alberto, a former World Board Member and IFOAM Vice-President, shared Maria's passion for sustainable agriculture and organic practices.
The entire Organic Movement, especially within Latin America, mourns the loss of Maria Calzada. Her life's work was dedicated to the noble cause of bringing organic food directly from producers to the tables of consumers. As a committed member of IFOAM, she devoted herself to regional kitchens, championing the use of organic products. For many years, she tirelessly promoted organic agriculture as a sustainable way of life wherever she made her presence felt.
Though we have bid farewell to Maria, her enduring legacy lives on through all of us who had the privilege of crossing paths with her. Her contributions to the organic food movement and her unwavering commitment to a healthier, more sustainable world will continue to inspire generations to come.
For me, organic is life! It is mysticism, it connects me with what is possible; it is possible to live well, to eat well, and to enjoy. These are basic needs that are well covered, something we all deserve.