In the Mediterranean cities, food markets are still a central element of the trade and of the urban life. It is necessary to preserve them in their traditional form and to modernize their services, logistics and infrastructures. These are some of the conclusions of a colloquium that took place in Marseille on 19 September 2009.  

Are the Mediterranean markets, a good model for the European Union

In the Mediterranean cities, food markets are still a central element of the trade and of the urban life. They bring life in the neighbourhoods and create spaces that allow the dialog, the relationship and interaction among the neighbours. Because of that it is necessary to preserve them in their traditional form and to modernize their services, logistics and infrastructures. The Mediterranean model of market can be useful in the construction of a healthier Europe alimentary and commercially speaking. It is important to create networks allowing markets that can offer models of good practice on management and modernization to their experiences.

These are some of the conclusions of a colloquium of experts about the future of the markets that within the framework of the of the project MedEmporion took place in Marseille on 19 September 2009.

A big issue

The activity gathered Alessandro Portinaro (Turin), Jordi Tolrà (Barcelona) Hassan (Istanbul) and Mattia Sifredi (Marseille), moderate and presented by Bruno Héraud-Giraud, president of the CICM.

Alessandro Portinaro highlighted, among other questions, the importance that the local markets broaden the number of foods for sale produced in the proximity, for contributing in this way to the alimentary sovereignty and to the sustainability. The Conservatoria Del Piermonte and the Town Council of Turin are promoting this trend in the theirs markets and especially with the Torino Food Market Festival that is celebrated annually.

Jordi Tolrà explained the Barcelona model of modernization of the markets, a real success programme thanks to joint efforts of both the administration and the traders. Barcelona has modernized and has remodeled in the last 15 years a total of 16 of the city's covered markets (market halls).

Mattia Sifredi, of the ADEAR 13 (Association de Développement de l'Emploi Agricole et Rural) of Marseille, he pointed out the importance of introducing in the market mix a larger number of biological products and food produced in the proximity, as a way to stimulate the local agriculture. The ADEAR has managed to create a total of 5 farmer markets in the last 10 years in the Department 13 (Bouches du Rhône)

Hasan Acanal, representing of the Egyptian Market (Misr Bazar) of Istanbul, better known as a Market of the Spices, explained how this market creates neighbourhood ties and how the trade stimulates all the zone. He also introduced the different typology of markets in Turkey, the origins of which are very antique even though they take the current form in the Ottoman period.