Of the consumer group in the cooperative supermarket

The consumer groupsunderstood as groups of people who are organized to consume products cooperativelyhave been operating in Catalonia for many years. In fact, although previous experiences are known from works that joined resources to obtain food, the First Consumer Cooperative described as such registered in Catalonia Date of 1865: The Economic of Palafrugell. They were followed by others in the Maresme and Workers’ Barris of Barcelona. These initiatives are born inspired by the experience of Rochdale, which focuses on the cooperative formula focused on consumption with emancipatory will.

Over the years, consumer cooperativism has had ups and downs, but in recent years we have attended a significant increase of this modelwhich has not only conveyed the way of consuming domestic, but has allowed Establish mutual support networks.

In May 2024 theAgroecological cooperative edge published the report “The sustainability of agroecological cooperativism: of consumer groups in cooperative supermarkets ”, a document that Analyzes the evolution of agroecological supply systems In Catalonia. In this meticulous study the transition of small consumption groups to wider models is emphasized, such as the cooperative supermarketsin order to improve the sustainability and accessibility of agroecological products.

Far from being a collection of historical experiences and journeys, researchers focus on the need for Detect the strengths and weaknesses of the model Currently.

The report identifies several limitations in traditional models Small scale, including autonomous management and the need to reconcile personal life with active participation in these initiatives. In addition, the analyzes are analyzed challenges which face the new structures of more scale, such as diversity in participation, the balance between economic viability and sustainability of life, the division of labor and internal governance.

This work is a continuation of the 2017 study, “The change of scale, a shock for the sustainability of agroecological cooperativism?”where the need to rethink growth models at a critical moment for agroecological cooperativism in Catalonia was already raised. The current report deepens these debates and offers a critical analysis of the advances and challenges of cooperative supermarkets and other similar structures.

This February, the companions of The edge have presented the report with coópolissharing the experience and conclusions obtained with other colleagues linked to agroecological consumption in the city.

Author of the photograph of the news: Laura Guerrero. Extracted from the Image Bank of the Barcelona City Council.