Buying with purpose: the value of agricultural cooperatives

Every purchase is a decision that goes beyond what we put in our basket. We decide what kind of food system we want, what kind of land we want to support, and what kind of future we want for our farmers. In a time marked by global uncertainty and climate challenges, choosing local products and supporting agricultural cooperatives is a clear and tangible way to shop with purpose.

We feed the territory

Agricultural cooperatives are an essential pillar of a productive country. The 185 member cooperatives of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia bring together more than 32,000 producers and livestock farmers, and represent 37% of the country's total final agricultural production.

They produce a wide variety of foods, including olive oil, almonds, hazelnuts, rice, carob, wines and sparkling wines, stone fruit, citrus fruits, vegetables, legumes, milk, honey, cereals, and meats such as pork, beef, poultry, and rabbit, as well as aromatic plants. These products are part of our culinary identity and, at the same time, incorporate innovation, technology, and new management models to address environmental and economic challenges.

The territorial presence of agricultural cooperatives is equally significant. Cooperatives are active in 33 of Catalonia's 43 counties and in almost 300 municipalities. They are particularly prominent in the Lleida region, which leads the cooperative map with 58 entities, followed by Tarragona (56), Terres de l'Ebre (30), Barcelona (25), and Girona (16). This deep territorial presence makes cooperatives genuine engines of social cohesion, job creators, and guarantors of rural life.

The history of agricultural cooperatives in Catalonia reflects the struggle for survival of farmers throughout the years. Their resilience, tradition, and deep roots in the land have meant that, today, almost one in three cooperatives is over a century old, and 73% of the total are more than 50 years old.

Sustainability and community

But beyond their economic and territorial dimension, agricultural cooperatives contribute values that are more necessary today than ever: social responsibility, democratic management, no offshoring, sustainability and commitment to the community.

When a consumer chooses a cooperative product, they are choosing carefully crafted food, produced under strict quality standards and with certifications that guarantee origin, traceability, and authenticity. But they are also supporting a model that keeps people in rural areas, manages the landscape, combats climate change, and preserves traditional crafts that are part of the country's heritage.

This deep connection to the land is reinforced by the celebration of the new wine and olive oil festivals every autumn and early winter. These events open their doors to everyone to taste the first freshly pressed olive oils or the youngest wines of the season. It's an invitation to discover firsthand the work of the land and the quality of cooperative products, a collective celebration where farmers and consumers share tastings, experiences, and samples of freshly made products.

Coinciding with the celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives and the recognition of Catalonia as a World Region of Gastronomy, this year we have had the opportunity to showcase and recognize this commitment to the community and to the development of a more social and inclusive economy that builds a better world for people.

Agrotiendas.coop

When, as a society, we demand more transparency, sustainability, and responsibility, every purchase is an opportunity to make a gesture that adds up.

That's why initiatives like Agrotiendas.coop They play a key role. This online sales platform connects consumers directly with Catalan agricultural cooperatives, without intermediaries, and with the guarantee that each product is the result of collective work and responsible production.

Each farm shop represents a cooperative from across the country, with its own identity but a shared philosophy of responsible and fair consumption. Therefore, this tool facilitates more conscious and local consumption, while also showcasing the diversity and richness of locally sourced cooperative products.

This Christmas – and throughout the year – choosing products from our cooperatives is much more than just selecting good food. It's giving the gift of local produce, quality, and commitment. It's supporting thousands of families who work the land with dedication and who, through cooperation, continue to innovate to ensure a sustainable future.

Every purchase is a decision: let's make it meaningful, let's make it cooperative!