Funded by the European Commission under the CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), the CICERO project brings together partners from Italy (Fondazione Campagna Amica), Croatia (Association of Croatian Markets), Poland (Targ Pietruszkowy), the Netherlands (Rotterdamse Oogst), and Denmark (Grønt Marked) to promote more conscious and community-oriented food choices across Europe.
Over the weekend we had the opportunity to spend a few inspiring days alongside our European partners. Together, we explored how farmers markets can serve as powerful drivers of health, sustainability, and social inclusion. This journey brought us to Copenhagen, where, within the vibrant setting of the Grønt Marked we engaged in activities designed to strengthen the connection between local food and urban communities.
For three days, the Danish delegation welcomed us with a program of experiences that perfectly reflected the project’s mission. We began with a boat tour through the canals of Copenhagen, discovering the city from the water while tasting traditional local snacks prepared by farmers and chefs from the market. We then joined a walk that led us to Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, where we attended a debate on climate justice and discussed how food systems can play a role in building a fairer and more sustainable future.
The program continued with a visit to Klarskov Frugt, a family-run farm, dedicated to apples and pears. Here we learned about the many varieties cultivated on the farm, discovered the richness of local biodiversity, and enjoyed the simple joy of harvesting fruit directly from the trees. The orchard also provided the setting for a partner meeting, an essential step in moving the project forward. Another farm visit followed, this time focused on the extraordinary biodiversity of potatoes. Delegates had the chance to explore the land, discover different local varieties, and take part in a special potatoes tasting that highlighted the diversity of flavors and textures grown in Denmark.
The final day of the exchange was dedicated to the Biodiversity Exhibition at the Grønt Marked in occasion of the Biodoversity Festival, where each delegation presented items symbolizing the biodiversity of their own country. The festival also hosted a talk titled “CICERO Edible Biodiversity in Practice: Lessons From Across Europe”, during which partners shared experiences, strategies, and commitments to preserving and promoting biodiversity.
This enriching exchange in Copenhagen reinforced the idea that farmers markets are not only places to buy food but also cultural and social spaces where communities can come together. They are platforms where health, sustainability, and inclusion come together, nurturing the growth of a more mindful and united Europe.
