The Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera reports that this week Josep Marí, Marcos Ribas and Carlos Marí (local rural affairs councillor and president and manager of the Formentera Countryside Cooperative [Cooperativa del Camp, CCF], respectively), as well as other CCF members, took part in a trip organised by Cooperatives Agro-alimentàries Illes Balears (CAAIB) to get a first-hand look at the work of cooperatives on Mallorca.
Councillor Josep Marí expressed his satisfaction "because this week the CCF team immersed themselves in Majorcan agriculture and came back with ideas that can be applied to our local countryside". The councillor highlighted the group's tour of Majorcan mills, "now that the project to produce oil in a regulated manner on Formentera is closer to becoming a reality". In this regard, the contract for acquisition of €270,000 in machinery has been awarded and Tragsa is expected to start building the warehouse shortly.
For his part, the CCF president described the main objective of these visits as "sharing experiences and giving Formentera's CCF members a first-hand look at the work of Majorcan coops". He added that the trip had served "to create synergies to collaborate and share knowledge from various experiences".
Visit
Tuesday 13 December, the local contingent visited the University of the Balearic Islands for a tasting of coop produce – part of the CAAIB's Christmas-season showcase of culinary creations by students at the School of Hospitality Balearic Islands (EHIB). Afterwards, the group sat for a talk by chef Claudio Lemos ("Traditional products vs. innovative cuisine") and ended their day with a tasting of coop products.
Wednesday 14 December, the crew visited the Sant Bartomeu Cooperative olive mill in Sóller before dropping in at the coop store. Next, they went to Camp Mallorquí SCL for a look at the almond and carob food industry courtesy of coop president Miquel Gual. In the afternoon, they travelled to Binissalem to visit Grup Fruits Secs and see its oil mill and bakery.
Thursday 15 December, the CCF team visited Mercapalma to see the workings of Agromallorca SAT and get a look at a tomato farm. Finally, they visited the Son Jover cheesemakers and farm.
16 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera
Ana Juan and Josep Marí, president and councillor of rural affairs, respectively, of the Consell de Formentera, have met with Jerónima Bonafé and Xisca Parets, the respective president and managing director of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of the Balearic Islands (UCABAL). The meeting was also attended by members of the steering council representing all four of the Balearic Islands, including Marcos Ribas, president of the local agrarian cooperative (Cooperativa del Camp de Formentera).
