Farming and food come together in the 8th Benvinguts a Pagès

Catalan farming, the rural world and agritourism are getting ready for the 8th Benvinguts a Pagès "La Festa", taking place on 30 September and 1 October across Catalonia. A weekend when the public can learn where their food comes from and discover how seasonal, local products are made.

Until 28 July, registration is open through the Benvinguts a Pagès "La Festa" website for farms wishing to take part, rural tourism accommodation and organisers of complementary activities, as well as a new participant that is one of this year's novelties: food processors. 

In this way, Benvinguts a Pagès aims to give visibility to 4 key players in the food chain, teaching the public about the many players involved, who differ in their production, marketing, logistics and processing models. Very diverse profiles appear among the participating businesses: farmers selling directly to local food processors, producers who close the loop on their own estates (raw material, final product, food processing).

The new edition brings in processors and small artisans 

One of this year's main novelties is the inclusion of a new category of participants who can open their projects to the public: processors and small artisans, explicitly recommended by the farms themselves. 

It is a commitment to promoting and raising the profile of Catalan products, aiming to give visibility to the business projects and food offer of processors across Catalonia and to show how products are made in Catalan workshops, connecting them with consumers interested in processed, artisan, quality products such as jams, cooked or cured meats, cheeses and preserves. 

In this way, Benvinguts a Pagès wants to contribute positively to strengthening this business base, so these businesses become more competitive and open to the market thanks to a stronger place in the collective imagination. It is a pilot starting in 2023 in the counties of Conca de Barberà, Ribera d'Ebre and Alta Ribagorça, with a view to repeating it in other areas in future editions. 

Benvinguts a Pagès works to position these players' products and services — and those of farms, rural tourism accommodation and organisers of complementary activities — as an attractive option for visitors, improving their business opportunities, with the ultimate aim of boosting the local economy and keeping rural activities alive and strong. 

To take part in Benvinguts a Pagès "La Festa", the organising committee assesses every application thoroughly, applying a set of criteria and a scoring system based on registrants meeting certain requirements. They must hold the local-sales label, have suitable facilities for receiving visitors and show them where production takes place (fields, vineyards, farms, etc.), and be able to sell products at the farm on the days of "La Festa", among other things. 

A national initiative generating a positive economic impact locally

Benvinguts a Pagès "La Festa" is an educational and recreational initiative, a unique celebration to showcase the participating projects and boost agritourism. It also has a positive economic impact locally. According to Benvinguts a Pagès and PRODECA figures, 80% of those who visit the farms end up buying products, with an average spend of €30.

The event drives rural development and benefits the area as a whole: it encourages consumption of local products, helps boost economic and social development, teaches the importance of respecting the professionals, the processes, the pace and life on the land, and argues for keeping people living in the territory. It also promotes sustainable agritourism and supports rural and farming producers, attracting visitors from various places and generating quality tourism that benefits local businesses as well as the area's restaurants, hotels and shops.

The initiative invites the public to taste seasonal, local produce, stock up and buy directly from farmers, and it is an opportunity to win loyal new customers. The visits build a relationship that lets people reconnect with or get closer to the rural world at first hand.

This year's visitors can see how Peralada Mas Marcè (Alt Empordà) makes its organic yoghurts and cheeses; how Mas Terricabras (Lluçanès) works, a farming business that has revived local crop varieties such as the Oristà chickpea and Forment wheat; discover the Montseny Natural Park thanks to Mel dels Erms (Vallès Oriental) and its organic bee tourism; stay in genuine farmhouses and rural houses such as Masoveria Els Plans de Cornet (Bages), Casa Pes (Pallars Jussà) and La Remulla (Baix Ebre); or taste grilled meat at El Porxo, the restaurant at Pla d'Abella (Solsonès), or typical Catalan dishes at the Xalet La Coromina restaurant (Osona), among others. 

Driving generational renewal in farming and the transfer of knowledge 

Benvinguts a Pagès "La Festa" plays an important role in the sector's generational renewal, showing the employment, innovation and economic opportunities the agri-food world offers. It has become a space for passing on knowledge and experience, where young farmers share their passion and vocation for the land and their entrepreneurial, creative projects, showing that farming can be a viable and rewarding option for future generations.

Young farmers' commitment and dedication show the vitality and future of the farming sector. This transfer is essential to guarantee the continuity of farming activity and the sector's long-term survival. For this reason the initiative also continues 365 days a year thanks to Benvinguts a  Pagès Tot l'Any, which offers a stable programme of more than 120 paid visits to agri-food farms: very complete tourism experiences guaranteeing personal attention which, beyond explaining where our food comes from, include product tastings.