Panxacontenta

A member-run food cooperative in Sants

Panxacontenta is a self-managed ethical food cooperative in Barcelona’s Sants neighborhood. It has operated since February 2006 and has been based at Lleialtat Santsenca, 31 Carrer d'Olzinelles, since late 2017. Its goal is to make locally produced organic food more accessible by building direct relationships with producers and avoiding intermediaries.

How the cooperative works

Members organize in groups of one or more people and make decisions at a general assembly held on the last Thursday of each month. Committees coordinate products and orders, as well as internal matters such as finances, meetings, and the order calendar. Products arrive at Lleialtat Santsenca on Thursdays. Member groups prepare baskets from 6 to 7 p.m., and members pick up their orders from 7 to 8 p.m.

Products by schedule

The selection varies by how often products are ordered:

• Weekly: A basket of seasonal fruit and vegetables, plus eggs.
• Every two weeks: Different types of bread, including rye and spelt, muffins, coca pastries, and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
• Monthly: Chicken, pork, dairy products including aged and fresh cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses, and vegan products such as seitan, tofu, vegetable burgers, and meatballs.
• Every four months: Beef.
• Annually: Olive oil, honey, turrón, wine, and dried pasta.

How products and producers are selected

The cooperative chooses producers based on responsibility and social impact. Products must meet organic production standards. Fresh items must be seasonal and not kept in cold storage for extended periods. The group prioritizes bulk sales and returnable or reusable packaging, using recyclable packaging as a last resort. It also includes personal care, cosmetics, cleaning products, and clothing made with mild chemicals and natural ingredients that are biodegradable and not harmful to the environment or health.

When choosing producers, the cooperative values trust, whether or not a producer is certified; proximity; and a preference for cooperatives, self-managed businesses, and family farms. It also looks for producers who support the local area, help new women farmers launch projects or revive local varieties, focus primarily on organic production, provide a reliable supply, use as few distributors as possible, and do not exploit their workers.

Location and contact

The cooperative’s office and pickup point are at Lleialtat Santsenca, 31 Carrer d'Olzinelles, 08014 Barcelona. Email: hola@panxacontenta.org. In-person questions are handled on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.