Since opening its doors two years ago, Elikaenea in Bergara has achieved project consolidation. The established dynamics have solidified, and the infrastructure has become a fundamental tool for the region's food system. The path taken has clarified future steps and areas needing reinforcement.
The market has successfully sparked public interest through its organized activities. These events not only strengthen the community but also serve as a valuable channel for producers and vendors to voice their work and share their knowledge. Upcoming activities include, among others, learning about apple culture on October 14th from Iturrieta cider house, the Verdury Hall festival on October 17th, Gaztainerre on October 28th for Gau Beltza preparations, and on November 18th, learning to make hamburgers with local meat, courtesy of Bixainen.
“"Tickets for the Verdury Hall festival are now on sale. On that day, there will be numerous events in town, and we encourage citizens to participate in the river community work and then join the communal meal."
The project has also yielded results in catering supply, exemplified by the project 'Jangelak eraldaketaren akuilu debagoienean' (Canteens as a catalyst for transformation in Debagoiena), which has received state-level recognition. This initiative will be led by the cooperative Ereindajan Bergara, in collaboration with the associations Biolur and Tokixan, and regional stakeholders. This demonstrates Elikaenea's work extending beyond the market, serving as a strategic hub to link local production with public consumption.
Among the new academic year's challenges, Elikaenea's coordination priorities will focus on strengthening the market's ecosystem and governance, and enhancing communication. With producers, planning will continue to improve to ensure food continuity and foster collaboration among producers from the region and Euskal Herria. For consumers, a key challenge will be attracting younger generations to participate in the market and food sovereignty.
With food sovereignty as its core, Elikaenea is solidifying as a community project, demonstrating that building local food systems is a long-term endeavor requiring collaboration and a step-by-step approach.
