"Aragon has responded from nearly every corner. A neighborhood association gains nothing from this; we are doing it because the neighborhood needed quality products and villages need someone to buy from them," says Jorge Roy, president of the neighborhood association. Producers from 32 counties in the region are already offering their products, while another 47 have asked to join La Despensa. More than 240 products are currently available.
In addition, 72 producers have independently asked to join by offering their services (34 from Zaragoza, 22 from Teruel and 16 from Huesca). Because they are based in rural areas, this initiative allows them to reach Zaragoza without intermediaries.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WANT TO JOIN
Other neighborhoods in southern Zaragoza, such as Rosales del Canal, Montecanal and Valdespartera, have asked to join the Arcosur initiative. As a result, a pilot program is being prepared in several phases to expand it to these areas of the Aragonese capital.
Several producers have also offered to open their farms and food workshops so neighborhood families can visit them with their children. The measure allows buyers to see the products firsthand. The pantry appears set to continue expanding because of its tremendous success among both residents and producers across the region.
