A system of direct exchange between local consumers and food producers that empowers their relationship. It gets a fairer price for both parties and generates a space for meeting and exchange among the participants, called a Colmena (Assembly). It has removed barriers to local organic consumption.
In 2011, the project was launched in France and the first Assemblies were opened. Since its beginnings it has grown exponentially, becoming a European movement:
- 600,000 consumers
- 4,000 producers
- 800 Assemblies
- present in France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany and the UK
The initiative, implemented in Spain under the name ¡La Colmena que dice Sí! (The Beehive that says Yes!), opened the first two Assemblies in 2014. The possibility of expanding this European movement from Spain to Portugal is being explored.
A team of five people supports the creation and consolidation of new Assemblies. The network is present in Andalusia, Catalonia, León, Madrid and Valencia, and new Assemblies are in the process of being opened in the Basque Country:
- 24 Assemblies in operation and another 14 in construction
- over 150 producers
- over 900,000 consumers
In terms of purchases, in one year orders have multiplied by five.
