Bologna Civic Kitchens: shared cooking spaces + food solidarity network to cut waste and isolation

Goal: reduce food waste and social isolation in Bologna by creating civic kitchens where people can cook, share, and redistribute food safely.

What we will do

• Equip 3 Civic Kitchens inside existing public buildings (community hubs, cultural centers) with certified equipment.

• Set up a weekly cooking calendar: community meals, intergenerational cooking sessions, and skill-sharing.

• Partner with markets and small shops to recover surplus food (safe, traceable, same-day use).

• Create a volunteer + coordinator model to ensure hygiene, inclusion, and continuity.

• Provide low-barrier access: sliding-scale participation and priority for isolated residents.

Why this matters

• Food waste is an environmental and economic problem, but also a social opportunity.

• Many residents live alone and lack spaces for community connection.

• Cooking together builds skills, dignity, and mutual support.

How we’ll deliver

1. Preparation: choose locations, ensure health compliance, and recruit partners.

2. Pilot: run weekly sessions for 10 weeks and measure participation.

3. Scale: expand to multiple weekly slots and add thematic workshops.

4. Evaluation: track meals served, food recovered, and participant feedback.

Expected results

• More social connection and practical support in neighborhoods.

• Less edible food discarded by local businesses.

• A replicable model for community infrastructure based on care and commons.

Notes: the project will follow strict hygiene rules and ensure respectful participation (no charity optics, no stigma).