Regions of Bremen and Bremerhaven excel in promoting nutritious food for everyone
Shaping a Sustainable Food Future in Bremen
The city of Bremen has embarked on an ambitious project to transform its food system, with the launch of the GEG model region project in July 2025. This initiative, known as "Gemeinsam Ernährungswende gestalten" or "Shaping the Food Transition Together," aims to foster healthier, more sustainable, and more regional eating habits, aligning with the state-wide nutrition strategy currently being developed.
At the heart of the GEG project are three key elements: promoting organic food, reducing food waste, and strengthening regional value chains. The project encourages local and sustainable production and consumption patterns, striving to increase organic food availability and consumption. To tackle food waste, it implements collaborative measures that better align supply and demand, enhance logistics, and raise awareness among consumers and suppliers. The project also supports local producers and processors, keeping food production and distribution within the region to enhance sustainability, freshness, and economic resilience.
The GEG project was kick-started by the Forum Küche, involving around 40 stakeholders from Bremen, including public authorities, civil society, and actors from the food sector. The emphasis is on systemic collaboration and co-creation to achieve the food transition objectives in Bremen.
The project received a significant boost with the funding of 1.25 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Homeland (BMEL). Dr. Margareta Büning-Fesel, President of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Nutrition, symbolically handed over herb plants to Senator Kathrin Moosdorf and participants in the model region, demonstrating her belief that Bremen can lead a nutritional turnaround with this project.
The GEG project is part of a broader nutritional strategy development in the state. By inspiring other cities and communities to follow Bremen's good example, the project aims to contribute to a nationwide shift towards healthier and more sustainable food systems.
Other initiatives, such as GLOBALG.A.P’s Farm Sustainability Assessment, support similar goals by enabling producers and businesses to assess and improve sustainability on farms. These initiatives could complement projects like GEG by providing frameworks and certification for responsible sourcing and production.
The GEG model region project embodies commitment, cooperation, and an innovative spirit, reflecting the city's dedication to creating a healthier and more sustainable future for its residents and the environment.
[1] GLOBALG.A.P. (n.d.). Farm Sustainability Assessment. Retrieved from https://www.globalgap.org/sustainability/farm-sustainability-assessment
[2] City of Bremen. (2025). Shaping the Food Transition Together. Retrieved from https://www.bremen.de/gesundheit/ernaehrung/geg
[3] GLOBALG.A.P. (n.d.). GLOBALG.A.P. Certification. Retrieved from https://www.globalgap.org/certification
- The GEG project in Bremen emphasizes the importance of organic food and healthy diets, which are integral parts of the state-wide nutrition strategy currently being developed.
- Apart from promoting organic food, the GEG project also aims to reduce food waste, thereby aligning with the notion of sustainable living and health-and-wellness.
- In addition to the GEG project, initiatives like GLOBALG.A.P’s Farm Sustainability Assessment support similar goals, offering frameworks and certification for responsible sourcing and sustainable-living in home-and-garden settings.
- The city of Bremen, with its GEG project, is striving to make a significant impact in shaping a sustainable food future, inspiring other cities and communities to embrace healthier and more sustainable food systems nationwide.
