Barcelona City Council has been awarded this Friday with one of the prestigious awards Ciutats i Pobles que Alimenten, awarded by the Xarxa de Municipis per l’Agroecologia. This recognition highlights the best practices in local food policies, and in particular, has awarded the Comerç Verd program, an initiative that has transformed the municipal markets of the city, promoting access to local and organic products.
A program that transforms food in Barcelona
The Comerç Verd project has made significant progress in the availability and visibility of local, organic and sustainable food in municipal markets. Thanks to this initiative, Barcelona’s citizens can more easily access products from small producers, proximity and seasonal foods, reinforcing the city’s commitment to food sustainability. Since its implementation as a pilot test in June 2021 in six markets (Concepció, Llibertat, Sarrià, Ninot, Sants and Horta), the program has grown to include all of the city’s food markets, with a total of 481 participating establishments. Stores participating in the initiative must meet certain requirements, such as offering a significant percentage of local and organic products, including fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and cheese.
Identification of Comerç Verd: visibility and confidence
One of the most innovative aspects of Comerç Verd is its identification system. The participating establishments have signs and labels that identify them as businesses committed to sustainable food. This not only improves the visibility of organic and local products, but also helps consumers to easily identify those businesses that are part of the program. This visibility has been key to strengthening consumer confidence in Barcelona’s markets and promoting a shift in shopping habits towards more sustainable and conscious eating.
A recognition that reinforces Barcelona’s commitment
The award was presented during the annual meeting of the Xarxa de Municipis per l’Agroecologia, held in Cordova from October 2 to 5. This event brings together 25 municipalities from all over Spain that work together to promote sustainable local food systems, ensure access to healthy food and promote fairer and more diversified food models. This is not the first recognition for the Comerç Verd program. In 2022, it already received an honorable mention at the Pacte de Milà Awards, which were presented during the 8th Global Food Policy Forum in Rio de Janeiro. This international award recognized Barcelona’s efforts in the Food Distribution and Infrastructure category, along with cities such as Paris and Los Angeles.
A qualitative leap in the city’s food supply
The success of Comerç Verd is the result of a coordinated effort between the Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona (IMMB) and the Federació de Mercats Municipals de Barcelona (FEMM), who have worked together to ensure that local and organic products have a prominent place in the city’s markets. This initiative is part of Barcelona’s legacy as World Capital of Sustainable Food in 2021 and remains a key pillar in the city’s food policies. Thanks to Comerç Verd, Barcelona is not only supporting small producers and reducing the ecological footprint, but also educating citizens about the importance of consuming proximity and seasonal food. This program is an example of how local policies can have a significant impact on food sustainability and the quality of life of citizens.
