Abstract

FERRER, G; BARRIENTOS, M  and  SAAL, G. Caracterización de las ferias francas de productores agropecuarios en la provincia de Córdoba (Argentina). FAVE. Secc. Cienc. agrar. [online]. 2016, vol.15, n.1. ISSN 1666-7719.

A farmers market is a retail marketplace organized by family farmers. They are a good alternative both for conscious consumers and family farmers who search for more sustainable trade practices. Focusing our interest on these processes, we aimed to know which are the main features characterizing farmers markets in the Province of Córdoba (Argentina). The systematization of the 12 fair markets that took part of the research was based on three main criteria: type of goods offered, market size, and diversity. This allowed to produce a rapid and efficient characterization of their main features. Regarding organizational processes, two positions in dispute where found. A more individualistic assembly-prone position, where farmers rely on consumers' ability to select and regulate who to buy goods from, and a formalizing one that fosters organization and the creation of internal commissions to regulate sellers' behaviour.

Keywords : Farmers market; Family farming; Agroecology; Farmers' organization; Social economy.