Consumer groups are an option when you want products directly from the farmer. I'm going to tell you a little about how this system works and we'll also talk about the advantages and disadvantages . Finally, I'm going to offer you the best alternative in case you decide not to join one.
What is a consumer group?
Consumer groups are groups of people who want products directly from the farmer and decide to buy together. There are some groups that buy exclusively organic products, others that only buy fruit and vegetables and others that buy fruit, vegetables and legumes, it all depends on the type of group.
These groups abound in large cities such as Madrid, Zaragoza, Bizkaia, Valencia, Barcelona, etc.
How does a consumer group work?
Consumer groups can be formed from friends, family members or simply people who have a common interest in a product, but their characteristic is that they buy directly from the producer.
After creating it, we look for farmers who have the products we are interested in and we reach a price and shipping agreement on a regular basis.
Typically, farmers send the fruits and vegetables to a collection point and the members of the group are responsible for distributing them.
Please note that depending on the group, there may be a periodic fee to pay for the products, so find out before joining one.
Advantages of a consumer group
It is clear that buying directly from a farmer is more than advantageous for both parties. Let us point out the main advantages:
- Middlemen are eliminated: The link that keeps a part of the money without any effort disappears.
- Fresh and seasonal products : Farmers sell you freshly picked products directly from the tree so they are always in season.
- Waste is reduced: Many fruits and vegetables are thrown away for aesthetic reasons and farmers have no choice but to throw them away because they cannot find a buyer for them, even though their flavour and quality are still extraordinary.
- Support for farmers : There are fewer and fewer farmers producing high-quality products, fruit that really tastes like fruit, mainly due to the low prices paid by large companies to farmers, who cannot even cover their costs.
Disadvantages of a consumer group
While consumer groups are a great measure, they also have their drawbacks.
- Limitation in the choice of products: The products you order do not depend on your tastes but on the preferences of the group.
- Large orders : Farmers do not have large distribution chains, so they usually require the purchase of large quantities of the same product.
- Group Agreements: It can be a bit tricky to get along with other members of a group, as you have to come to agreements that suit everyone, as well as make them comply with regular payments.
- Distribution of purchases: The order arrives at a single place and it can be cumbersome to get all the members of the group their share of the order, especially when the groups are very large.
- Only available in large cities: When you live in towns it can be difficult to find groups already created or people who want to create one.
Alternative to a consumer group
Don't be discouraged, you can have fresh, freshly picked produce without having to belong to a consumer group.
At Campos Del Abuelo we have the main advantages of a consumer group but without being one:
- You can have seasonal products directly from the farmer
- Choose only the products you like.
- We do not use post-harvest chemicals .
- We do not have a minimum order
- Fruits and vegetables arrive at your home freshly picked in 24 hours.
- The money goes directly to the producer, at a fair price.
- You order whenever you want , you do NOT have to place an order periodically.
- We ship to any town or city.
In our online store of fruit and vegetables straight from the field , you can choose (from one kilo) the products that we have available at any time of the year.
In a few days you will have it at home , cut from the tree exclusively for you.
Remember, we don't force you to make a monthly order, you buy whenever you want, whatever you want.
If you want to place an order, you can do so from here and create your basket in just a few minutes. It's very easy!
We are a perfect alternative for those who cannot or do not want to belong to a consumer group, but want quality products .
At Campos del abuelo we adapt to you .
Campos Del Abuelo was born out of the frustration of having to sell our oranges at ridiculous prices. The big retailers do not understand the cycles of nature.
Over time, more farmers in the same situation joined us. Now that we have different farmers offering freshly picked fruit and vegetables on our website , we are their showcase in the online world.
Here you can find the seasonal calendar so you can see what products we have for each season of the year.
You can print it or keep it on your mobile phone to review it whenever you want.
We hope you found this information useful and that you are encouraged to try our products.
