On these pages we have often mentioned Aritz Gamboa, the shepherd who appears every evening around 19:50 on the Biba Zuek programme on ETB 1 and who has become a reference for sustainable farmers, ecologists and people who believe that the real transition starts on the land . As well as showing the latest developments on his sheep-farm he runs around different parts of the Basque Country and takes time off to visit interesting projects based on developing food sovereignty and sustainable farming. On Tuesday evening he paid a visit to Uribe Butroe Sarea where local baker and BBT activist, Txomin Urkiza, explained how the network came about. Basically, due to the pandemic local producers who relied on the local markets were denied that possibility and had to look for another way to sell their products and maintain the close contact between producer and consumer. Thanks to the network they are now in direct contact with 500 consumers, not bad considering that around 30,000 people live in the area.
This clearly an initiative that deserves even more support from the local institutions. If we are serious about challenging climate change then this is the sort of consumer model that should be encouraged. Naturally BBT supports this initiative and will try to see what can be done to help it. We have already collaborated with members of the Uribe Butroe network in collecting apples to make apple-juice, and the juice is on sale in our centre and of course on the network. But, of course, every one of us can help it and a good opportunity to do so is by buying one of the Sarane Christmas baskets that offer a selection of the local products sold by theUribe Butroe network. There are four different baskets and the prices range from 30 euro to 50 euro. Anyone interested can visit the website www.uribebutroekosarea.eus or send an email to saraneproiektua@gmail.com or phone them at 688900541. Orders for the Christmas baskets can be made any time but the weekly products must be ordered from Friday to Monday.
And remember Aritz`s slogan: Eutsi herriari, lotu lurrari!!! (Be with the people, be with the land!)
