Foodcoop BCN

A Member-Owned Grocery Store in Barcelona

Foodcoop BCN is Barcelona's first cooperative, member-owned, nonprofit supermarket. It opened in the city center in early 2022, launched by residents seeking a more sustainable, local, and fair way to shop for both producers and workers. The cooperative does not distribute profits to private owners and uses transparent margins rather than bargaining down its suppliers.

How Membership Works

There are two ways to shop. Anyone can buy in the store at the public price without joining. Consumer members make a one-time €40 share contribution and commit to spending 2 to 2.5 hours a month helping run the supermarket or cooperative. In return, they receive a permanent 12% discount across the catalog, access to the online store, and voting rights in project decisions. Supporting members can contribute share capital and take part in decisions without shopping at the store.

The cooperative is organized into working circles—Community and Care, Local, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, Information Technology, Governance, and Communications—as well as temporary groups for specific tasks. Members exercise their voting rights in the general assembly.

Products and Producers

The store carries more than 1,200 products, mostly local and organic, along with some conventional items. The selection includes fresh and shelf-stable food, cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning supplies, with a broad bulk section intended to reduce plastic packaging. The cooperative prioritizes small and midsize producers, cooperatives, and locally rooted projects, with particular support for Catalan farmers.

Online Shopping and Delivery

Consumer members and partner organizations can shop online with the permanent 12% discount. Deliveries in Barcelona are made by bicycle, except in Vallvidrera, in partnership with the Mensakas cooperative.

History

The project began on March 15, 2018, when about 250 people met at Cotxeres de Sants, inspired by the documentary Food Coop and agroecological cooperatives. In May of that year, the Association for the Promotion of Cooperative Supermarkets and the Social Market (Food Coop BCN) was established. The model draws on projects such as La Louve in Paris, Bees Coop in Brussels, and La Cagette in Montpellier, as well as closer initiatives including Landare, Labore, Bio Alai, and Som Alimentació.

Hours and Contact

• Monday: 5–8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–8:30 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Address: Pje. de Aragón, 9, 08011 Barcelona. Phone: 930 32 24 96. General email: hola@foodcoopbcn.cat. Other contacts: compres@foodcoopbcn.cat (purchasing), comunicacio@foodcoopbcn.cat (communications), rrhh@foodcoopbcn.cat (human resources), intercooperacio@foodcoopbcn.cat (cooperation between cooperatives), and consell.rector.coope@foodcoopbcn.cat (board of directors).