Food and health in Bizkaia: challenges and opportunities towards sustainability
The way we eat in Bizkaia is a pillar for our health, economy and the sustainability of the territory. Although our agri-food sector is a key driver, the current model faces significant challenges: from its environmental impact to inequalities in access to healthy foods.
How can we turn these challenges into opportunities? From BBK Kuna, the social innovation space of Bizkaia, we believe that the answer is in collaboration. Therefore, we are driving a collective change to build a more just and resilient food future, focusing on food as a strategic axis for 2025.
Join us to explore the main challenges and innovative solutions that are activating a healthier future for Bizkaia.
Main challenges in food and health in Bizkaia
In order to transform our food system, we must first understand the obstacles we face. In Bizkaia, these challenges are interconnected and require a comprehensive approach to find effective and lasting solutions.
Access and inequality
Not everyone has the same access to a healthy shopping basket. Factors such as the price of fresh produce, the lack of local shops in some areas or the limited availability of time to cook create a food gap. This inequality has a direct impact on the health of citizens, increasing dependence on ultra-processed foods and, with it, the risks of chronic diseases.
Environmental impact of the food system
The way we produce, process and transport food has a significant environmental footprint. Long supply chains increase CO₂ emissions, while certain intensive production models can degrade soil and consume large amounts of water. In addition, food waste, both at home and in industry, is a serious ethical and environmental problem that must be addressed urgently.
Changes in eating habits
The current pace of life has led to a shift towards less balanced diets, with high consumption of sugars, saturated fats and low nutritional value foods. This change not only affects our individual health, but also alienates us from our traditional gastronomic culture, based on seasonal and local products. Reversing this trend is essential to improving collective well-being.
Innovative solutions and strategies towards a sustainable Bizkaia
Faced with these challenges, social innovation offers us a path full of opportunities. In Bizkaia, solutions are already being promoted that demonstrate that another food model is possible, based on collaboration, sustainability and collective well-being.
Promotion of local and organic production
One of the keys to transforming the system is to reconnect with the origin of our food. Supporting local farmers and producers in Bizkaia not only ensures more fresh and seasonal products, but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport. Promoting organic farming and local markets strengthens our local economy and gives us control over what we eat.
Education and social awareness
Real change begins with knowledge. Social innovation also involves educating and raising citizens’ awareness of the importance of a healthy and sustainable diet. Initiatives such as cooking workshops, educational programs in schools or campaigns to reduce food waste are powerful tools to empower people and promote a lasting change of habits.
Technologies and partnerships in social innovation
Technology and collaboration are great drivers of change. At BBK Kuna we encourage partnerships between companies, institutions, academia and citizens to co-create innovative solutions. This includes from the use of new technologies to optimize crops and reduce waste, to creating digital platforms that connect producers directly with consumers, making sustainable food more accessible for all.
The role of the community and social participation
Transforming the food system is not just a task for experts or institutions. The most profound change comes from collective action and individual commitment. In Bizkaia, the strength of our community is the main ingredient to build a healthier and more sustainable future.
BBK Kuna Initiatives
At BBK Kuna, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. We act as a meeting point where citizens, companies, institutions and the academic world come together to imagine and develop solutions. Through meetings, co-creation projects and think tanks, we facilitate dialogue and joint action. Our goal is to be the catalyst that activates these partnerships so that the best ideas on Bizkaia’s food future become reality.
How to get involved in food transformation
Your participation is essential, and you can contribute in many ways. From choosing local products in your daily shopping and reducing food waste at home, to actively participating in the meetings and workshops we run from BBK Kuna.
Each small action, added to that of the others, generates a huge impact. We invite you to be part of this conversation and add your vision to build together the food model we want for Bizkaia.
Towards a healthier and more sustainable Bizkaia
The path towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system in Bizkaia is already underway. The challenges we face are actually a great opportunity for innovation and collaboration. Transformation will not come from a single solution, but from the sum of many collective actions.
From BBK Kuna, our commitment is to keep being the meeting point where these connections happen, driving projects that generate a real impact. We invite you to be an active part of this change and to build, together, the inspiring future that we want for food in Bizkaia.