Knowledge Hub
Local markets
Did you know...?
Local markets are more than just places to buy food—they are vibrant community hubs that deliver social, economic, and environmental value. They promote healthy diets, reduce carbon emissions by shortening supply chains, and give farmers fairer prices and local support. Consumers benefit from transparency, freshness, and a renewed connection to how their food is grown.
At our Capacity Building workshop on local markets, we explored how small-scale farmers can thrive in local markets by adopting smart, community-driven strategies—both offline and online.
What are other people doing about it?
CRIES – Resource Center for Ethical and Solidarity Initiatives (Romania). Through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), CRIES empowers farmers to connect directly with consumers. Seasonal subscriptions provide upfront capital and loyal customer bases, turning members into advocates for sustainable local farming.
LOCALtoYOU (Italy). A digital platform offering local organic products since 2017, LOCALtoYOU shows how social media and targeted online marketing can extend reach, boost visibility, and build strong relationships between producers and consumers—even with modest budgets.
BEE Rural.Hub & Cooperativa Miledù (Spain and Italy). These cooperatives bring farms to life by hosting community events like harvest festivals, guided tours, and seasonal workshops. These experiences deepen community engagement, diversify income, and highlight the value of local food systems.
Farm-to-Table Partnerships (Europe-wide). Collaborating with local restaurants offers a reliable sales channel for small farms. From product tastings to seasonal menus, these partnerships foster mutual growth—and even include farmers’ names on menus, reinforcing transparency and recognition.
SUPERCOOP Bremen (Germany). Launched in 2023, this participatory supermarket cooperative bridges the gap between producers and consumers. By offering value-added products like jams or sauces, they extend income opportunities and bring the farm story directly to urban shelves.
These inspiring case studies were all presented during our training – check out their presentations to explore how local food systems can empower farmers and communities alike.