Supported by Terre Vivante, this union was established as part of a territorial cooperation project led by the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees and funded by the Occitanie Region. The market gardeners met in Prades, at L'Alchimie, in October 2026.
The organic market gardening sector in this territory is characterized by a multitude of small family farms. The significant geomorphological diversity, from the plains of Conflent to the plateaus of Cerdagne-Capcir, including the numerous valleys of the foothills of the Canigoó and Madres massifs, offers a rich and varied cultivation base. These businesses are rooted in the local village life through their production methods adapted to each terroir and their sales, almost entirely direct to consumers.
Aware of the virtuous role of their farms for public health, ecology, local economy, and food sovereignty, market gardeners face isolation, individual fragility, and a lack of visibility, which affects political support for the sector.
The objective of this trade union is to ensure the sector's sustainability, improve working conditions, and best defend the particular and general interests of its members. It aims to address the lack of visibility, strengthen connections between stakeholders through exchange and knowledge-sharing, and promote a virtuous sector certifying quality and environmentally friendly agriculture.
The Market Gardeners Union plans to meet every second Wednesday of the month, from 6 PM to 8 PM, at the Alchime premises in Prades. For more information or to join, contact: union.maraichers@gmail.com.
