CONSCIOUS SPENDING: THE SOLIDARITY BUYING GROUP

“Eating is an agricultural act”, a phrase by the famous American writer and environmentalist Wendel Berry, is an important reflection on our relationship with food and the environment, and on the need to adopt a more conscious and sustainable approach.

but... HOW DO I DO IT?

There are many ways to support local economies based on a link between citizens and producers, and to return to being an “active consumer”, such as joining the GAS network (solidarity buying groups) or a GA (buying groups).

It is estimated that in Italy there are more than 2,000 scattered throughout the national territory.

Solidarity Buying Groups are associations of citizens that organize together to buy food or everyday products. Their uniqueness lies in the principle of solidarity, which promotes a close relationship with small local producers who respect the environment and people, giving priority to organic or ecological products.

At scheduled deadlines, the expenditure arrives at the designated collection points or directly at consumers' homes, but the act of spending is only the last step, as GAS is not only a group for the division of labor or purchase, but for the sharing of ideas.

These systems are not aimed at reducing prices at the expense of manufacturers. We are looking for the best conditions for both, with a fair price and often with savings compared to traditional distribution circuits.
The right price means guaranteeing a basic price, which does not fluctuate according to the market, and that guarantees every farmer to live with dignity for their work.

and... THE BENEFITS?

RELATIONSHIPS: feeling part of a group that shares the same values gives more strength to the actions of the individual;

LESS WASTE: a weekly and organized purchase allows planning and avoids an over-purchase of products, on the contrary, the GDO bombards us with offers and discounts, leading us to fill our cupboards with food that we would not need;

3. ETHICS: by joining a GA/GAS, I choose to support small farmers with as few intermediaries as possible;

4. CONVENIENCE: the shopping comes directly to my home or to the collection points.

GAS EL CESTON - It was founded in 2002 in Cadore (region of the province of Belluno) from the need of some families to consume foods produced naturally while respecting the environment and the people who produce them.

It goes without saying to turn to the world of organic production.

“The question we immediately posed was: which biological one? That of the big supermarket chains or the local one of the small producers with whom to have direct contact?

The awareness that behind every product we eat there are people, human relationships, projects, hopes has prompted the members of El Ceston to raise community awareness on issues concerning fair, supportive and sustainable production, proper nutrition, the right price of products.

“We believe in the political, economic and cultural value of food and we are concerned that consumers are often looking for products with ever lower prices without thinking about what is behind a price that is too low.”

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