Although the idea of associating in order to be self-sufficient and control suppliers, prices and distribution has been with us for some time - consumer cooperatives were very common in the mid-19th century, linked to workers' associations, they distributed basic foodstuffs among members and family members and helped maintain living standards in segments of the urban population with low incomes (Unitat d'Història Econòmica)—it was not until 1973 when this type of organization operated sustainably in a supermarket.
There were several attempts in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, but none lasted long.
Park Slope Food Coop opens its doors in Brooklyn and finds the keys to success: the members had to divide the shares of the cooperative and collaborate with three hours of work in the supermarket per month;
This had to meet the same needs as any supermarket, so that members did not have the need to buy in other stores;
and the price of the products had to be competitive.
Forty years later it has more than 17,000 members and many other projects that have replicated its system.
Thomas Boothe, an American living in Paris, was fascinated by the operation of this supermarket and carried out two important tasks for the expansion of the model: the documentary Food Coop, which portrays the life of the New York establishment;
and the creation of La Louve in 2016, the first cooperative supermarket in Paris.
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It was the starting signal for the search for food sovereignty and, to this day, similar projects have continued to appear in Spain.
From Som Alimentaciò in 2017 in Valencia, to the creation of a state association that brings together cooperative supermarkets “with the aim of joining forces to promote our fair, sustainable and democratic food distribution and consumption model,” defines La Red de Supermercados. Cooperatives on their website.
What is a cooperative supermarket?
They are non-profit companies, which allows them to offer products practically at cost price.
By being members, they commit to collaborating with a few hours of work in the supermarket - replenishment, communication, supplier management, orders... - and in exchange they have access to cheaper products than in other stores, the power to choose one supplier or another and the possibility to participate in decisions relevant to the organization.
On its shelves you can find everything from apples to detergent, beer and diapers.
This is necessary to be able to compete with large stores, since the objective of these spaces is that purchases do not remain anecdotal actions, but rather become part of the daily lives of their members.
In short, by being part of a cooperative supermarket you are at the same time owner, participant and customer.
A member of the La Osa cooperative supermarket doing the shopping.
Image provided by the establishment.
The Network is made up of ten establishments throughout the territory: A Vecinal in Zaragoza, Biolibere in Getafe, Biotremol in Alicante, Castalla and Yecla, Food Coop in Barcelona, La Ortiga in Seville, La Osa Coop in Madrid, the association of consumers of organic products Landare in Pamplona, Som Alimentació in Valencia, Árbore in Vigo and Almocafre in Córdoba.
Being part of it makes it easier to contact suppliers and manage very large orders for some products, but one of the advantages of belonging to it is “building a network.
Get to know other projects similar to us, that have already gone through the same problems before, that have developed systems that work… Exchange knowledge and experience,” says Nacho Escartín, partner of A Vecinal (Zaragoza).
La Osa, Madrid
The largest cooperative supermarket in the country is located in the capital.
With more than 1,500 members, an 800m2 premises located in Tetuán and more than 3,000 references on its shelves.
Only those who belong to the cooperative—and five people added to the associated person—can shop at the supermarket.
To do this, they must contribute a share capital of 100 euros and contribute 3 hours of work per month performing daily tasks in the store.
These can range from receiving raw materials, being at the checkout, replenishing products, etc... daily jobs that allow the store to function self-sufficiently.
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“One of the groundbreaking ideas with sustainable food is that we seek to cover 100% of the needs of our members.
Although two thirds of our products are organic and we prioritize proximity, ethics and quality, we do not want to impose any ideological filter on other people's purchases.
If we have members from Argentina who want to buy mate, we will do our best to have it, even if we have to bring it from afar,” says Pauline Bonnier, a working partner at the supermarket.
Address
:
Av. de Asturias, 57, Tetuán, 28029 Madrid
A Vecinal, Zaragoza
Looking for more sustainable and autonomous ways to buy food, in 2018 the consumer cooperative's first store opened in the Aragonese capital.
The initiative that began with 40 associated people, today has around 400 and a new, larger location with many references.
“We want the majority of the shopping basket to be made up of local products.
We also prioritize sustainability, ecological seals, fair trade... And we are increasingly betting on bulk," they say from the communication department.
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Anyone can buy at the supermarket (at cheaper prices than in any other store, since being a non-profit company, the profit margin is much smaller), but being a member guarantees you certain advantages.
The requirement is a contribution of 150 euros - which makes you a co-owner of the company - and in exchange you have a 5% discount on purchases, you have the possibility of participating in monthly meetings in which decisions are made about products, events, suppliers, organization... and you are encouraged to contribute 5 hours of work per month in one of the cooperative's departments, increasing the discount in the supermarket to 15%.
Address:
C/ de Santiago Lapuente, 5, 50014 Zaragoza.
Telephone
:
876 05 00 71
Food Coop, Barcelona
Sheltered from the frenetic pace of the center of Barcelona, its incessant flow of people and the noise pollution that characterizes large cities, Food Coop is located at number 9 of Passatge Aragó.
“This location makes us less visible, but at the same time it turns the store into a very quiet place, an oasis in the center of Barcelona,” says a veteran member of the cooperative.
The place allows them to hold many events: inviting producers, presentations, lunches... reinforcing the idea that being part of a cooperative supermarket is not only about purchasing in a more autonomous and sustainable way, but also creating a community united by certain values.
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Anyone can buy in this store, but only members have access to a lower price.
To do this, it is necessary to contribute a one-time fee of 10 euros.
Unlike the one in Zaragoza, Food Coop BCN does require its members to work 3 hours a month, which allows them to reduce supermarket expenses and lower product prices.
They have been in operation since the beginning of 2022, located in an old ironworks of 240m2 in the Eixample esquerra.
Although almost all the products follow the premises common to this type of projects—agroecological and proximity—customers can also find conventional brands.
Address:
Ptge.
d'Aragó, 9, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona.
Telephone: 930 32 24 96
La Ortiga, Seville
Some of these supermarkets are the result of the evolution of other groups and associations concerned with organic and local food.
This is the case of La Ortiga, an association that worked as a link between producers and consumers aware of sustainable development since 1992. Since 2001, it was formed as a cooperative and today it has more than 400 active families and two stores in the city of Seville.
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The necessary requirements to join La Ortiga are to pay an initial contribution of 70.77 euros and an annual fee of 50 euros (subsidized by 50% in the case of unemployed and pensioners with minimum income at the minimum wage).
Although you do not need to be a member to buy in the store, they have a 10% discount on all products, in addition to other advantages such as contributing to decision-making at the Annual Assembly, being part of the committees or the Governing Council.
To enhance adherence to the supermarket and encourage this type of consumption, they organize visits to producers and workshops in the store.
Address: C/ Goles 56, 41002 Sevilla and Tigris 4, commercial premises, 41020 Seville.
Som Alimentació, Valencia
In the Sant Antoni neighborhood, in Valencia, you will find this cooperative supermarket where anyone can buy, but which makes sense when you become a member.
They have defined two ways to become a member: collaborating with 4 hours of work or with a fee of 8 euros.
In exchange, the supermarket is yours and you have a 20% discount on mostly local, organic and fair-priced products.
Beyond the economic benefit, Som's members are motivated to be part of a transformation of the food and consumption system, to create a different model aligned with their values.
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Som explains very well how a system like theirs works: “Currently, 50% of the work is done by the partners.
The rest of the hours must be hired, increasing the cooperative's expenses.
“The more members, the more self-sufficiency and lower prices,” they say on their website.
Address: C/ de Maximilià Thous, 26, La Saïdia, 46009 Valencia.
Phone:
645 29 16 59
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