Sustainable Food

The Barcelona Impulsa plan is the city’s economic agenda until 2035. With an economic injection of 890 million euros until 2027, the plan will roll out a series of actions to transform the productive model, create quality jobs and boost strategic sectors with a cohesive, fair and sustainable vision. Within this framework, sustainable food is an area of action with an economic, social and environmental potential.

We have a strategy: Now we’re rolling it out

The most important actions in the plan include the rollout of the Barcelona Healthy and Sustainable Food Strategy 2030 (EASSB 2030) in conjunction with local food system stakeholders.

Several working groups with specific thematic lines have been launched, like the fight against food waste and the promotion of organic, local products in municipal markets. These collaborative work spaces are helping to define shared, realistic initiatives to deal with the challenges of a food system in transformation.

Projects that connect health, territory and economy

Several initiatives are already underway and are actively contributing to the rollout of the strategy. One of the most important ones is Terra Pagesa, a food exchange centre that connects producers with merchants and restaurateurs. The project is a clear commitment to boosting the primary sector and guaranteeing local, fresh food throughout the entire distribution chain.

Another is the Joint Office for Sustainable Food (OCAS), which coordinates between administrations promoting public policies on healthy, sustainable and fair food. This office plays a key role in rolling out new projects and awareness-raising initiatives in the region.

Another example is the annual Terra i Gust festival, which shows how Barcelona celebrates and promotes sustainable food through events open to city residents. It showcases local food and the work of small producers and processors simultaneous with the La Mercè festival.

Towards greener and more mindful food

Markets and schools are two key places in the transformation of the food model. This is why the programme is also reinforcing programmes like Comerç Verd [Green Commerce], which promotes the sale of organic, local products at the municipal markets, as well as initiatives that take these spaces to city residents, like Mercat de Mercats [Market of Markets], the Mercats de forquilla showcooking series, the tasting sessions in Tasta’m [Try Me food events] and Tasta Lleida and the Aules de Cuina [Cooking Classrooms], among others

Regarding schools, the Healthier and More Sustainable School Canteens programme provides educational, communicative and training materials that aim to make food a key area for health, sustainability and learning. Beyond the menus, efforts are made to raise children’s and young people’s awareness by connecting what they eat with the planet, the region and their own health.

This comprehensive approach —from farm to table, with stops in the classroom and the market along the way— reflects a city that views food as a powerful tool of change. Barcelona is committed to food with values, local roots and a future vision.