Building Food Sovereignty in Euskal Herría

We arrived at the offices of EHNE Bizkaia—the Basque farmers’ union— for the last meeting of our tour, full with the experiences and flavors of six days spent in exquisite Euskal Herría (Basque Country). On Food First’s third delegation to the region, we travelled through the countryside, visiting numerous farms and speaking with local people about what food sovereignty means to them. As we witnessed food sovereignty in practice in the Basque Country, the concept deepened and came alive for us.

Throughout our trip, we learned how the Basque peasantry had survived centuries of pressure to push them out of farming, as factories offered the pull of higher wages and large-scale agribusiness squeezed out smallholders. But Basque peasants have struggled to resist these transformations, fiercely defending their way of life.

As we witnessed food sovereignty in practice in the Basque Country, the concept deepened and came alive for us.

On our first day, we sat in the kitchen of a rural farmhouse in Ajangiz, enjoying a breakfast of homemade bread and kiwi jam, chatting with our hostess. Ainoah began telling us her life story and how she had decided to become a farmer. Along with her partner Alex, she sold produce in the Guernika market, as part of a local consumer’s group—similar to community supported agriculture in the US. To supplement their income, they engaged in agritourism—sharing rural Basque life with visitors such as ourselves. Her words wove together an insightful analysis of Basque agriculture with local recipes. She even shared some precious Guernika pepper seeds with us to take home to our gardens.

Through this simple exchange of stories and seeds, we participated in an act of resistance in defense of life and food—in defense of a way of life threatened by corporations that seek to control the very genetic foundations of our food system.

This trip also taught us about the power of words. In a discussion with EHNE-Bizkaia, group participant and Canadian farmer Cathy expressed unease at the Basques’ use of the word “peasant”—feeling that the word (as it is used in English) carries negative connotations. After a friendly debate with Basque farmers and members of the global movement La Vía Campesina (literally, the peasant way), Cathy proudly proclaimed, Then I am a peasant, too! In this simple declaration, we all felt the power of reclaiming words and revaluing peasant identity as part of a shared struggle.

Through this simple exchange of stories and seeds, we participated in an act of resistance in defense of life and food.

After this powerful meeting, we went on to enjoy our last meal together in the Basque Country and cement the friendships we had forged through songs and laughter. Bay Area food justice activist and Food First board member Hank Herrera even took out his saxophone! We all understood that social movements are rooted first and foremost in relationships, and that to build food sovereignty, we must transform our words, our practices, and ultimately ourselves.

Zoe Brent is a Food First fellow and the Coordinator of our Basque Food Sovereignty Tour.