them has its own specificity. It is preferable for the groups not isolating themselves from society in general, because this could bring to the risk of the formation of a " ghetto " and the history of the group would remain in the shadows, with the risk to fade very soon. It is better to be always opened to trade and cooperation with the outside world. A group usually provokes new ones to born, and when in a given territory different groups born, their strength increases. You can form associations, networks, twinning, etc.
In Istria region, the base of the trade within the solidarity groups is represented by ecological baskets. The baskets are made of seasonal vegetables. In summer, the basket weighs approx. 4.5 kg; in winter, when there are fewer vegetables, the weight of the basket drops to approx. 3 kg. The producer takes care to ensure the basket to be regularly filled by seasonal vegetables of various kinds, i. e.: leafy vegetables to be cooked, salad vegetables, root vegetables, potatoes, and onions. The system provides the payment of the baskets to be done at the beginning of the month by consumer-group member, who gives the producer the monthly purchase price, and every week he can easily pick up the products ordered. At the beginning, the producer tends to combine this system to the sales on the " free " market, but soon, as the group increases, he tends to place its products exclusively and completely in this way.
In solidarity groups, producers and consumers made an essential common effort. It is vital to include as many people as possible in the work of the group, to offer to the group as many products as possible, to prepare and sign contacts with producers and to carry out the various logistics activities, such as the weight and the sale of products that come in bulk. The groups encourage volunteering, shared commitment, friendliness, democracy... in a word: a qualitative life!
However, the solidarity groups are also more than that: members often exchange between each other their experiences, organize educational seminars and lectures, workshops for children and adults. The important thing for the groups is not to close in themselves, but to promote their history and their positivity. This favours the emergence of new groups, consumers know what they eat and the farmers do not abandon their land.
Ethical Purchasing Groups in Croatia
In order to explain how and in which way the solidarity buying groups have developed in Croatia, we must return chronologically to the origins of the solidarity groups. The first
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