Revitalisation, preservation and enhancement of markets and unique fairs as a strategy for food sovereignty in the Balearic Islands. PHASE 1

The project

As a whole, the markets and unique fairs of the Balearic Islands represent a model for direct sales and for zero-km food products obtained and produced locally. This model makes the agricultural and livestock sectors and their related agri-food industries accessible to the resident population and also to the floating population that periodically visits the Balearic Islands. Unfortunately, these industries have sustained a setback due to the growth in large retail outlets and supermarkets.

Besides being an asset in the short circuits of local agricultural distribution, the markets and fairs are associated with benefits for the economy, and rural, agricultural and marine environments, as well as for cultural heritage and more sustainable and low-season tourism.

Consequently, this project has the following specific objectives: 

- Study and diagnosis of the role of markets and unique fairs in the production of sustainable, healthy and local food.

- Developing an interinstitutional revitalisation, preservation and enhancement strategy of markets and unique fairs that includes prioritising spaces used for direct sales and measures that improve the presence of the local and artisanal agri-food sector in these commercial spaces.

- Promoting association membership, the creation of coordination networks between markets, and responsible consumerism.

- Streamlining markets and short marketing circuits and responsible consumerism for consumers and products.

- Cataloguing markets as intangible heritage of the Balearic Islands to enhance and preserve their historic and sociocultural value. 

- Promoting specific and individualised plans for every market, at a municipal level, and designing an institutional promotion campaign of our markets and unique fairs throughout the Balearic Islands.