The Department of Sustainability, the Gipuzkoa Food Bank, the Basque Culinary Center and the Mahaia chefs' collective invite citizens to join this solidarity and sustainable initiative, which symbolizes a collective commitment to a fairer Gipuzkoa and aware of its resources. The solidarity event will take place on November 20 at 8:00 p.m. and seeks to raise funds both for the work of the Food Bank in Gipuzkoa and to help those affected by DANA, highlighting the collective commitment to food poverty and emergencies. climatic. José Ignacio Asensio: “Situations such as the recent disaster caused by DANA in Valencia remind us of the importance of solidarity and mutual support in difficult times. In Gipuzkoa, 127,000 tons of food are wasted every year, which represents not only an enormous economic and environmental cost, but also a lost opportunity to help those who need it most.”

The Sustainability Department of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center and the Mahaia chefs' collective, organizes the fourth edition of the Solidarity and Sustainable Dinner. This initiative seeks to raise awareness about food waste and raise funds for the Gipuzkoa Food Bank. On this occasion, due to the recent disaster caused by DANA in Valencia, 50% of the money raised at the dinner will be donated to the Valencia Food Bank to support the affected people. This event will be held on November 20 at the Basque Culinary Center, within the framework of the European Waste Prevention Week and on the eve of the Gipuzkoa Food Bank's big collection. That is why the deputy for Sustainability, José Ignacio Asensio, the president of the Gipuzkoa Food Bank, Belén Méndez de Vigo; the general director of the Basque Culinary Center, Joxe Mari Aizega; and the chefs of the Mahaia chef collective: Roberto Ruiz (HIKA), Paul Arrillaga (Zazpi), Juan Carlos Caro (Zelai Txiki), Gorka Txapartegi (Alameda), Gorka Arcelus (Agorregi) and Xabier Gorrotxategi (Casa Julián) have called on citizens to join this solidarity cause.

Around the world, approximately one third of food intended for human consumption ends up wasted. In Gipuzkoa, waste represents an ethical, economic and environmental challenge that affects the entire agri-food chain. In this sense, the Solidarity and Sustainable Dinner aims not only to raise funds, but also to raise awareness among citizens about the need to change habits and assume greater collective responsibility in reducing food waste. In this regard, the Deputy for Sustainability, José Ignacio Asensio, has highlighted that “situations such as the recent catastrophe caused by DANA in Valencia remind us of the importance of solidarity and mutual support in difficult times. In Gipuzkoa, 127,000 tons of food are wasted every year, which represents not only an enormous economic and environmental cost, but also a lost opportunity to help those who need it most. With this initiative, we invite citizens to join and contribute, making this problem visible and promoting a collective commitment that strengthens collaboration between everyone, institutions, citizens and the Food Bank, in a common effort to support those who need it most."

How to join the Gipuzkoa Solidarity Dinner and support those who need it most

Dinner is an opportunity to enjoy the best cuisine while contributing to a crucial cause in the fight against food poverty. With a focus on sustainability, the menus will be made with local products, following ecological production criteria and without food waste. To participate, you must register by sending an email to trantsizioekologikoa@gipuzkoa.eus and make a minimum contribution of 150 euros per person. The funds will be deposited directly into the account of the Gipuzkoa Food Bank in Kutxabank: ES54 2095 5060 11 1062014716. Part of the money raised at this solidarity dinner will also be used to support people affected by the recent DANA in Valencia.

20,000 people served in Gipuzkoa 

Currently, the Gipuzkoa Food Bank provides help to around 20,000 people in the territory, a figure that reflects the urgent need for support in the context of growing social inequality. Belén Méndez de Vigo, president of the Food Bank, wanted to express her gratitude to the participants and collaborators of this solidarity dinner: “For our bank, the Solidarity Dinner is a fundamental source of income since there are many families that depend on our management. of food to survive. Furthermore, this year the contribution is more important than ever, since we will not stay local, but, in our commitment to help the most vulnerable people, 50% of what is raised at this dinner will go to help the Valencian Community. This support will be provided through our state federation of Food Banks, with whom we have been working in a coordinated manner from day one so that the help we provide is as effective as possible and reaches families.”