http://www.fao.org/europe/events/detail-events/en/c/429132/ Presentation of Zsófia Perényi, from the Association of Conscious Consumers (ACC) in Hungary, on reshaping cooperative markets, discussing Community Supported Agriculture. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the Regional Symposium on Agroecology in Europe and Central Asia, held in Budapest, Hungary on 23-25 November 2016.

1. Reshaping cooperative
markets
Zsófia Perényi
Association of Conscious Consumers,
Hungary
URGENCI

3. Starting point
• ACC: We want consumers to have and make
better choices!
• Agroecology based food systems – tradition
• But big supermarket chains and agricultural
companies dominate the market
• Right to good quality food
How we can connect conscious consumers
with farmers? Which kind of cooperation could
work on long term?

4. Community Supported Agriculture
• European CSA declaration (Sept.2016, Ostrava, Czech
Republic)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct
partnership based on the human relationship between
people and one or several producer(s), whereby the risks,
responsibilities and rewards of farming are shared, through
a longterm, binding agreement.
• Agroecology in a prominent position
• Producer&consumer tandem is a key

5. Principles
• Responsible care for the soil, water, seeds and the other commons
through the agroecological principles and practices as found in this
declaration and the Nyeleni Declaration 2015
• Human scale production rooted in local realities and knowledges.
• Fair working conditions and decent income for all involved.
• Fresh, local, seasonal, healthy and diverse food accessible to all.
• Community building through direct and long term relationships with
shared responsibility, risks and rewards.
• Mutual support and solidarity beyond borders.

6. Values
What are the most important reasons you joined the community
N=55
I can directly support the farmer with my money,
I can contribute to the fair livelihood of the
farmer
42 65%
I contribute to the diffusion of a sustainable,
eco-friendly solution
42 65%
I trust the farmer 26 40%
This is a just and fair form of food trade 20 31%
I belong to the community of conscious
consumers/ethical consumers
17 26%
I don’t trust other food supply sources 13 20%
This is a convenient food source 11 17%
I can take part in an active, self-organising
community
11 17%
This is my protest against globalisation and mass
production
10 15%
At least I do my part for sustainability and 8 12%
Survey among CSA members
and farmers, 2016, Hungary

7. Values
What are the most important features of the products?
N=55
Healthy, free of chemicals 49 75%
Is from reliable source 43 66%
Local food, from relative
proximity
28
43%
Good taste 23 35%
Seasonal product 18 28%
Good price-value 10 15%
Not certified, but organic 10 15%
Certified organic 7 11%
Diverse 2 3%

8. Education
• Experience sharing on European, regional,
national and local level
• Be part of CSA!
- mixed groups
- peer to peer learning, hands on experiences
- soft skills: communication, organisation, problem solving
- in Hu, Cz and Ro: more than 150 participants
- results: new CSAs, network building
• Plans: adaptation, education on financial sustainability
• Agroecology could be a highlighted topic

9. Building bridges
• Empower farmers and consumers for cooperation
• Fostering cooperation between stakeholders
• Continue the work on education on all levels
• Strengthen the cooperation among networks on national, regional
and European level
• Support and reward the work of NGOs

10. Contact:
Zsófia Perényi
zsofi@tve.hu
www.tudatosvasarlo.hu/en