Cooperativa MANS
A Catalan social cooperative producing, processing, and selling locally grown organic fruits and vegetables while providing employment integration for young people at risk of exclusion.
About Cooperativa MANS
Local organic produce with a social mission
Cooperativa MANS is a social cooperative based in Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Barcelona, producing, processing, and selling locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. Its work combines organic food sales with social and employment integration for people facing barriers, especially young people at risk of exclusion.
Products
The cooperative mainly sells fresh, seasonal products, including:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Nuts
Where the produce comes from
Most products come from the cooperative’s members’ farms: the gardens run by Fundació Molí d'en Puigvert in Palafolls and Horts de Sant Benet in Sant Fruitós de Bages, managed by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. MANS also buys from local, family-run farms.
A cooperative social model
The initiative was launched by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera and works with social partners, including the city governments of Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Navarcles, and Manresa, as well as organizations such as Fundació Formació i Treball and Fundació Marianao. The project receives co-funding from the European Union and the European Social Fund.
Awards and recognition
The cooperative and associated organizations have received several awards and distinctions:
- Social Value Creation Award at the 2021 European Award for Cooperative Innovation.
- Runner-up award for an entrepreneurial initiative at the 2020 Premios Alimentos de España.
- 2019 Liderpack Award for the most innovative food packaging and packaging process, awarded to Xarxa Agrosocial SCCL.
- WorldStar Packaging Award for sustainable packaging, awarded to Xarxa Agrosocial SCCL.
- 2017 CoopCat recognition as an entrepreneurial cooperative, awarded to Xarxa Agrosocial SCCL.
- 2016 Àlex Mazcuñán i Boix Award, awarded to Xarxa Agrosocial SCCL.
Location and contact
The cooperative is based at 38 Carretera de Torrelles, 08620 Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Barcelona. Phone: 936 560 293. Email: info@mans.coop. It is also on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Organic local produce and employment integration