Feeding the City Symposium - 25th June 2014 Daniela Passeri: Solidarity Purchase Groups in Siena Panel 3 Reconnecting producers and consumers: the experience of solidarity purchase groups (Giovanni Orlando Goldsmith University, London), Francesca Forno (Università di Bergamo), Daniela Passeri (Gasalpa, Siena)

1. Solidarity Purchase
Groups in Siena
Daniela Passeri
(Gasalpa /Degrowth association)

2. Gruppo di acquisto SOLIDALE
Why SOLIDALE?
What does it mean?

In agreement

Sympathetic

On someone's side
WHOSE SIDE?
Producers' and
consumers'
Mass retailers are not on
their side

3. How many people involved
In Siena there are
(at least) 6 GAS:

Gasalpa

Ginestreto

Gasasiena

Melograno

VeganGas

Mondomangione

400 members
(approx)

800 families

2,500 people
...probably more

Plus, a number of
informal groups
How many PEOPLE

4. Some figures

Gasalpa (2007) has 69 members now

We buy from 15 small producers

In 2013 we bought goods for 50 thousand €
We all could have grown more, but...
Some FIGURES

5. Some figures

Almost 3 farmer's markets has been created nearby
Siena thanks to Regione Toscana

Comune di Siena created an organic market

Provincia di Siena created Bottega di Stigliano

Farmers' associations created others farmer's
market

Even big supermarkets have “local producers
corners”
Local authorities' answer to GAS

6. 
We can say that almost
every day anyone in
Siena can easily buy
from local producers

In spite of this, GAS are
still there

WHY?
GAS are still there

7. For many reasons:

The food is BETTER

Value for money is EXCELLENT

90% is ORGANIC

We share the idea of supporting the LOCAL
ECONOMY

Purchases through GAS has become part of our
LIFE-STYLE, despite the purchases are not always
cheaper, nor more convenient than in
supermarkets
GAS are still there

8. 
GASalpa doesn't buy
EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE
OIL because almost
anyone can easily find a
good, local, organic one

GASalpa does buy
PASTA as it is not easy
to find it local and
organic
WHAT WE BUY AND DON'T BUY

GASalpa doesn't buy
LOCAL FRUITS
because very few
farmers grow them

In Siena it is not
possible to find local
TABLE GRAPES as
local harvest is all for
wine production

9. There is a growing
interest in promoting
and supporting:

more sustainable
production methods

local, small farmers

reduce packaging

avoiding the trasport of
goods when not
necessary
SOMETHING HAS CHANGED
SOCIAL AND
ENVIROMENT
AWARENESS
HAS GROWN

10. As “gasisti” we have understood
the strenght of organized consumers
and we have created a GAS network

What is it FOR?
... a MEGA-GAS? No, we don't actually need it
GAS NETWORK

11. As Rete GAS we would like to work on:

growing awareness on ethical consumption/
production methods / sustainable ways of life

improving comunication and our image (COOLER,
why not?), artists' help is welcome

developing relationships with local administration

improving Participatory Certification Systems

The greatest challenge: to create new jobs - small-
scale farmer cooperatives have the best potential for
achieving the goals of agroecology
More AWARENESS

12. As RETE GAS
we denounced
the massive use
of herbicides
in our fields last winter
What we have done

13. A film festival
on
sustainability
and degrowth
with the
Siena School
What we have done

14. As Siena has a great history that can inspire us
As Siena is a community of communities (contrada)
We have to insist on and require Green Public
Procurement (GPP)
We have a great brand – SIENA - we should take
advantage of it
What we could do in Siena

15. 
PARIS – Honey
produced on Palais
Garnier (Opera) roof

BONN – Municipality
promotes the Fair
Trade products and
created tha label
“BONN KAFFEE”
Ispired by ...

Fair trade cities

Transition Town
network

........

16. Thank you!
daniela.passeri.siena@gmail.com