About us
A supermarket for all of us, run by all of us
FoodCoop BCN is a co-operative, participatory, not-for-profit supermarket. What drives us is sustainability, buying local and dealing fairly with the people who produce our food.
Our values
A fair model for people, producers and the planet.
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Local roots
Products from our own area, because they’re better and healthier and because they look after local producers, the land and the planet.
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Transparency
Information about the products and how the shop is run is public and easy to follow: as a member, you can check that we do what we say.
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Co-operation
We reject the logic of competition and build networks with agroecology, co-operatives and responsible consumers.
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Sustainability
Less environmental impact: less packaging, less waste and products made with respect for the planet.
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Trust
Shoppers should know that what they buy meets the co-op’s criteria, that the price is fair and that their rights as members are respected.
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Sovereignty
Members choose the products, the buying criteria, how we deal with producers and staff, and how the co-op is run.
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Inclusion
Shopping that changes things shouldn’t be a privilege of the few: we want agroecological food to reach people of every background.
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Feminisms
We’re part of the feminist economy: people and life come first, not profit, and we want to try new ways of organising ourselves.
Key facts
- Legal name
- Supermercat Cooperatiu i Participatiu de BCN SCCL
- Opened
- 8 February 2022
- Where we are
- Opening hours and how to find us
- Floor area
- 240 m²
- Products
- More than 1,200
- Members
- 1,001
- Member discount
- 12%
- Taking part
- A shift of 2-2.5 h every 4 weeks, a circle or a fee
Where we come from
The project grew out of a meeting in 2018. It took its cue from co-operative supermarkets that work, such as La Louve (Paris) and BEES coop (Brussels), which show that a supermarket can be run another way.
After years of working on it together, we opened the shop. Today we’re a community of members who decide, work and shop together.
How we’re organised
We decide at the assembly. The board and the coordinating team keep things running, and the day-to-day work happens in the circles and working groups.
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Assembly
The co-op’s sovereign body, where we take the big decisions. Every member has a say and a vote.
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Board (consell rector)
Represents the co-op formally and legally, and makes sure the project’s mission and the assembly’s decisions are carried out.
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Coordinating team
Coordinates the circles and speaks for them. It keeps the big picture in view, involves everyone, and makes sure the project runs well and holds together.
The working circles
Each circle looks after one area. You can give them the time you’d spend on a shift, and a lot of the work is done from home.
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Community and care
Looks after members’ wellbeing, cohesion and involvement: internal communication, preventing conflict and welcoming new members.
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Premises
Makes sure the co-op has the right place to work from: layout, equipment, decoration and maintenance.
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Operations
Defines how things are done, so that procedures are safe, clear and accessible to everyone.
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Buying
Makes sure we stock a full and varied range, in line with our values and the buying criteria the assembly approved.
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Finance
The budget, cash flow, accounts and tax paperwork.
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IT
The IT the co-op needs to run, and to make it easy for the community to take part.
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Governance
Gives the project a way of governing itself that fits our values. Among other things, it’s weighing up sociocracy as a model.
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Communication
Tells people about the project: gives it visibility, brings in new members and spreads our values. Makes outreach material and runs our channels and social media.
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Co-operation
Builds agreements with other co-ops and organisations so members get perks from them.
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Shop
Looks after the shop, how it runs and how members are served.
Working groups
Smaller teams, tied to a circle, for one particular job.
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Events
Spreads the word by organising events. Part of the communication circle.
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Social media
Runs the co-op’s social media, within the communication circle.
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Zero waste
Works to keep waste to a minimum across everything the shop does.
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Member handbook
Works on the member handbook, the guide for anyone joining the project.